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Hybrid Courses

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Hybrid Courses
In an effort to expand the variety of alternative versions of classroom courses for our students, the Health, Social & Behavioral Sciences Division is now offering “hybrid” courses. Click here for a list of current Hybrid Course offerings.

These courses integrate 50 percent classroom instruction with 50 percent online learning which allows students to earn Social Sciences credit using a flexible, effective format.

Hybrid courses contain the same content as the corresponding traditional classroom versions. When completed successfully, grades and credits for these courses are recorded on a student’s record in the same manner as traditional courses. Prospective students may want to contact the instructor of a course or courses they are considering for specific details.

WHAT SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT THESE COURSES PRIOR TO REGISTERING?
Before deciding to enroll in one or more hybrid course(s), you should consider several important issues:

1) HOW IS A HYBRID COURSE DIFFERENT FROM A TRADITIONAL COURSE?
A hybrid course combines 50 percent face-to-face classroom time with 50 percent online instruction. While students taking a hybrid course spend half as much time in the classroom, these courses have the same requirements and workloads as traditionally-delivered courses. [Fifty percent classroom time DOES NOT equal 50 percent less work!] How the different components of a course are managed and distributed between classroom time and Internet settings depends on the specific course and the instructor.

2) WHAT TYPE OF LEARNER MUST I BE TO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE THESE COURSES?
In order to be successful, students enrolled in hybrid courses should be motivated and have good organizational skills. In particular, students need to avoid procrastination by setting up and maintaining a weekly study schedule to stay on top of assignments.

In addition, students should take advantage of class time and office hours to communicate regularly with their instructors, as well as make effective use of various course materials and learning tools available through the college’s flexible-learning programs.

A hybrid course is an excellent choice if:

• Time is an issue and it would be more convenient for you to spend less time on campus and more time working from home.
• You prefer to maintain some personal contact with your instructor and fellow students, rather than engaging in a wholly distant-learning mode of instruction.
• You are interested in experiencing engaged and interactive learning both in the classroom and online.

All hybrid courses begin with an orientation session on the first day of class, during which the instructor discusses the general layout of the course, necessary materials and assignments, as well the features of the Anlon course management system in terms of tests, grades, course content and communication tools.

3) WHAT TECHNICAL ISSUES SHOULD I BE AWARE OF FOR THESE COURSES?
• Students must have the proper computer hardware and connections to the Internet to permit this type of course delivery.
• PC computers are the preferred platform. Macintosh computers are not supported by Anlon (the college’s course-management system). Mac users may receive unpredictable results.
• You must be connected to the Internet by an Internet Service Provider (ISP) that offers a reliable, direct connection to the Internet. If you use AOL or MSN as your ISP, you will need to open a full-featured browser to access your course’s online features.
• Your modem must be rated at a minimum 28.8 bauds or more (using a fast-access connection is recommended).
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 (or later) is the recommended browser. Other browsers are not supported. Internet Explorer may be downloaded at no cost from Microsoft’s web site.
• You must have a personal e-mail account. You must notify the college’s Registration office of your e-mail address at the time of registration.
• Some courses have additional requirements. Check with your instructor for details concerning necessary materials, software and hardware requirements. Your instructor may require you to use specific software to format your files. If your course requires you to use additional applications or plug-ins (Windows Media, Real Player, Adobe Acrobat, etc.), your computer may require additional RAM.

Students in these courses should have some experience and familiarity navigating and using the Internet as an information and communication resource. Downloading and attaching files to an e-mail, word processing and basic fundamentals of using a computer as a communication and productivity tool are necessary skills for achieving success in a hybrid course. Hybrid instructors assume that students are experienced with the basics of operating and working on a Windows-based system.