Hybrid Learning as a promising alternative

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