What are hybrid classes? A hybrid class is one that meets part of the time face-to-face in a traditional classroom and part of the time online. Much of the class material, assignments, and interaction with the professor and the other students will take place online in the Blackboard course area. This may include posts to an online Discussion Board, group work, responding to classmates’ writing online, and online readings. Exactly what online work is required varies from one class to another. Your professor’s specific expectations will be detailed in the course syllabus. What are the benefits of hybrid classes? Hybrid classes combine the flexibility of online class and the face-to-face interaction of traditional classes. They may be a particularly good choice if you want to take an online class but are not sure if this option is right for you. Hybrid courses provide some of the advantages of an online class but also gives you the opportunity for frequent face-to-face meetings with your professor. How do I find a hybrid course in the catalog? Hybrid courses are designated by the section numbers in the 70-75. If you search online, you might see this: English 1500-70 M 9:00 – 10:15 Raub 302. This course is English 1500. The “70” is the section number, so you knowit’s a hybrid course. You can see that it meets once a week on Mondays from 9:00 – 10:15 in Raubinger Hall, Room 302. You can assume that there will be another assignment that’s due online sometime between one face-to-face meeting and the face-to-face meeting the following week. When I’m registering for classes, can I search specifically for a hybrid course? Yes. When you look up a course, go to the “Attribute Type” drop down menu and select “Hybrid.” When do these courses meet and how often? The face-to-face meetings occur at a specified time and place. This will be indicated online when you search for courses and on your course roster once you register. The online meetings are usually asynchronous, meaning that an assignment for the class is posted, and students will have to fulfill the assignment within a specified time frame. It’s up to you when you will respond to the assignment, as long as it is posted within the specified time frame. Typically, a hybrid class meets one time a week for one hour and fifteen minutes and has one assignment due online between meetings, but this may vary from one class to another. (In a hybrid course, at least 30% of the course activity takes place online rather than in the classroom.) Your course syllabus will provide details about your instructor’s expectations. If you need more information before deciding to register for a hybrid course, you should contact the instructor or the chair of the department that is offering the course.
