Franklin University conducted yet another study on Hybrid Learning. The Franklin Hybrid model consisted of remote meeting software, audio and video mixing hardware, and a structured curriculum design to integrate face-to-face students and online students in the same class. The classes were remote live sessions accompanied by asynchronous learning activities. Some of the off-the-shelf technology used were: -

1. A computerized classroom with PCs for each face-to-face student
2. A projection system, preferably one that permits control of the computer from the
   screen, such as a SMART Board™
3. A wireless lavaliere microphone and mixer tied into the instructor's computer
4. Wireless microphone/speaker combination for each face-to-face student
5. Web meeting software and
6. A web-cam that is compatible with the web meeting software.

The results showed from this experiment confirmed the beliefs from their first experiment that our belief that hybrid classes can provide a more effective, engaging, and efficient learning environment for students than either pure face-to-face or pure online classes. Compared to a typical face-to-face class, 71.4% of students either agreed or stronglyagreed that the hybrid format was more effective, engaging, and efficient. No students indicated that the hybrid was worse than any face-to-face class.

Resources for you to explore

1. Mixing it up
   

Geology Instructors in South Mountain Community College worked on learning and using various Web 2.0 tools like Wikis, Podcast and Social Networks to create a rich and creative hybrid course. It was a summer project and used as a means for professional growth. They found that social networks was one of the most useful tools for Blended Learning as you could use it to embed wikis, podcast and many other information and tools to create a rich interactive media that supports learning as well as collaboration and communication. They also learned about the course management system Blackboard and the need to focus on quality hybrid instruction as well as assessments in order to to revamp their existing course.

Resources to explore

1. Learning How to use Web 2.0 Tools and Blackboard to Create Quality Hybrid Classes
2. Maricopa Center for Learning and Instruction
   

Rocketship Education the nonprofit California charter school network is adopting and utilizing hybrid learning models to aid education in Charter schools. It uses a unique pedagogy style by mixing technology for extra practice and block scheduling for individualized instruction plan. The California’s Academic Performance Index (API) scores for the Rocketship Mateo Sheedy Elementary in San Jose scored 126 more than the state benchmark score of 800. Results show that the new model has helped students despite the disadvantages and future plans are to improve and open more Rocketship schools in the state as well as branch out to other states.

Resources to explore

1. California Charter 'Rockets' to Hybrid Learning Success
   

Wichita Public Schools' Learning Centers  was launched in 1999 to address the increasing number of drop outs and low graduation rates in school. This program focused on dropout-recovery and credit-recovery by using a Hybrid Learning model instead of the usual traditional methods. It was launched "to enable high school dropouts of all ages to work toward earning high school diplomas and current high school students to make up lost credits so they could graduate". The results show an increase of more than 8 percent in the graduation rates since 1999. According to statistics from the districts the Learning Centers "have collectively helped 974 students earn their high school diplomas since 1999" till today.

Resources to explore

1. Wichita Public Schools' Learning Centers
2. Wichita Public Schools' Learning Centers - A Full Case Study
   

Hybrid learning has offered convenience for learners with time constrains and a solution to schools with classroom and parking space limitations. Since hybrid learning includes the online feature, learners are always reminded of some technical requirements. For example, when New Jersey’s Science and Technology University listed a number of benefits of hybrid learning to learners, they added the note that “It must be remembered that, as with fully online courses, students may need additional hardware, software or a broadband connection to utilize some online materials and complete assignments.” It is true, but the terms such as hardware, software, and broadband connection might concern learners who are digital immigrants or who have limited skills in using computers and internet. In addition, in hybrid learning, learners are assumed to take more responsibilities on their learning than they do in a face-to-face learning environment. Learners' awareness of their roles in hybrid learning is critical to their success in hybrid learning. So, what are their roles in hybrid learning? What should they do in order to be successful? The University of Wisconsin, Milwaukie, developed a website about Hybrid Courses with useful resources. The website provides some useful information which assists learners in deciding if hybrid courses are for them. They can also get some tips for success. Or, learners can find some helpful information in the e-book below.

In urban Chicago, there is a new experiment in hybrid learning afoot.  It's called VOISE Academy and it's drawing a lot of attention in educational circles since its opening in 2008.  VOISE, which stands for Virtual Opportunities Inside a School Environment, pairs a stand-alone online curriculum with subject-matter certified teachers in standard classrooms.  This model of blended learning enables the school to capitalize on the online curriculum's ability to differentiate learning, meanwhile providing student support far beyond a normal distance-education class.  In this school where some students may be several years behind in academic achievement, teachers are able to reach the students at their current status and help them build the skills needed in order to advance.  According to their website, teachers here play a multi-faceted role and "teach, coach, monitor, and motivate, and provide content intervention."  Teachers are able to provide individualized attention thereby developing rapport.  In addition to in-class interaction, teachers are also visible online through emails, discussions forums, and assignment feedback.  Teachers here are expected to be keenly familiar with each student's progress and adapt the curriculum accordingly.  In hybrid learning, the teacher becomes less of the "sage on a stage" and more of a facilitator.  To find out more about what teachers can do to support students in a traditional hybrid learning environment, view the e-book below. 
To open the guide, click on the upper of lower right corner of the e-book. You can flip pages of the book by clicking on a corner and dragging or using the left and right arrow keys.

Today everybody is talking about hybrid environments. Hybrid has brought about revolutionary development and given new directions to the field of transportation. Hybrid learning is bringing about a similar type of revolution in the field of education. This blog will bring you snippets of ongoing stories, success stories about Hybrid Learning in schools and colleges today from various perspective of students, teachers, administrators and the institution as a whole. References will be provided at the end of each post for you to explore the topic on your own. It will also address some of the common questions, conceptions and misconceptions we have about Hybrid Learning.

Hybrid Learning is popularly known as blended learning and others know it as mixed mode instruction, adjunct learning, integrated learning, synthesized education etc. The major components in Hybrid Learning are online and face-to-face instructions. It brings the best of both worlds by bridging the gap between tradition and technology. Three key points visible in a Hybrid course are : -

1. Web-based learning activities are introduced to complement face-to-face work
   
2. "Seat time" is reduced, though not eliminated altogether
   
3. The Web-based and face-to-face components of the course are designed to interact pedagogically to take advantage of the best features of each.
   
   

Although Hybrid Learning has been around for a long time but recently with the infusion of technology into education the range of possibilities have taken it to the next level.

Here are some sites/blogs on Hybrid learning to explore

1. Hybrid Learning: The Best of Both Worlds
2. Student Success in Hybrid Learning
3. The Future of Instructional Models
4. Blended Learning in K-12
5. Blended Learning at Simmons College