- Introduction to Hybrid Courses at ACC
- Advantages & Challenges of Hybrids
- Course Schedule Notes
- Course Orientation & Syllabus
Introduction to Hybrid Courses at ACC
Hybrid courses at ACC combine traditional face-to-face classroom instruction with online computer-based learning. A significant portion of the course's activities are completed online, and time traditionally spent in the classroom is reduced but not eliminated. ACC Hybrid courses combine the best of two worlds, engaging students in the active, autonomous learning process of an Internet-based ONL course, while also providing regularly scheduled interaction with the course instructor.
Hybrid courses are not self-paced. Assignments and due dates will be detailed in the syllabus, and explained during the orientation. Students are responsible for knowing all course deadlines and submitting assignments on time to keep up with the class.
Advantages & Challenges of Hybrids
Hybrid courses offer a number of advantages over face-to-face teaching and online-only courses. The flexibility of the Hybrid format provides an opportunity for instructors to incorporate new types of learning activities that were not possible in traditional courses, fostering a greater sense of interaction with and among students. Students enjoy the convenience of scheduling courses to better fit their busy lives, and benefit from the self-directed learning activities, advancing their critical-thinking skills.
Hybrid courses are not without challenges, however. Students must accept greater responsibility for their personal learning than in traditional classes. Some expect that fewer classes means less work and may find self-motivation difficult. Students are encouraged to review technical skills, and discover support services for DL students.
Course Schedule Notes
All Hybrid listings in the Course Schedule include specific details about the section including orientation instructions; the required class meeting dates, times, and locations; faculty contact information; the course website URL; and any other important information the students may need prior to enrolling in the course.
Example:
54321 is a hybrid section which means part of the class is in a classroom and part is on the Internet. Internet access required. J. Doe, 223.1234, email: jdoe@austincc.edu - ALL meetings are in EVC 8329.
The MANDATORY orientation is from 9-10:45 a.m. Saturday 9/1. Other MANDATORY meetings are from 9 a.m.-12:20 p.m. on 9/8, 10/6, 10/27, 11/17, 12/15.
Course Orientation & Syllabus
An on-campus orientation may be held the first day of a Hybrid class, or the orientation may be online; orientation instructions will be given in the Course Schedule. The orientation explains exactly how the Hybrid course will work. Students will receive a syllabus with an overview of course components and objectives, information about the instructional materials and technologies to be used, assignment schedules and grading policies, testing procedures and deadlines, and the support services available to students. Students are required to complete an orientation for each Distance Learning course.