Instructional Technology Conference 2009

Title: Faculty and Student Perception of a Hybrid Course Design

Name: Carolyn Carter, Teresa Carter, Bob Mahan, Carolyn Massello, Vikki Sitter

Audience: General

Audience Level: All

Length: 1 Hour

Abstract: Milligan College developed an MBA program using a hybrid course design to address the needs of working adult learners.  This presentation will examine faculty and student perception of a hybrid course design using data collected from 150 students and 10 full-time faculty members over a five-year period.    We will cover such factors as course delivery preference, schedule flexibility, use of course management systems, interaction and networking, and faculty responsiveness.

Description: In today’s competitive educational environment, students are looking for educational opportunities that offer greater convenience and scheduling flexibility.  This requires schools to find innovative ways to offer classes, which meet the educational needs of working adults.   One method schools are exploring is the integration of an on-line component in classes.  Traditionally, course design utilized face-to-face instruction, which allows for a great deal of contact time between the student and the instructor. However, this design methodology requires a significant commitment of time from the student to in-class presence.  As the Internet becomes a more integrated method of information transfer, exploration of options in course delivery has moved to the forefront of education.  Course delivery methods that allow students to schedule course work around employment and family, as well as decrease time commitment for travel to the campus, are increasing in popularity.  Although a purely on-line course offers greater flexibility to the student, it eliminates the face-to-face contact time considered important by faculty.  To capture the advantages offered by both delivery methods, schools are now creating courses using a hybrid design.  The hybrid delivery method appears to offer the best of both worlds (Garnham & Kaleta, 2002). 

In 2004, Milligan College added an MBA program to our business curriculum.  The intended audience for this program was working adults.  In considering the program design, faculty wanted to address the special needs of working professionals.  The choice of a hybrid course design allowed Milligan to retain the face-to-face component of traditional courses, while addressing the special needs of working adults.  To determine the perception of the effectiveness of the hybrid course design in Milligan’s MBA program, we examined faculty and student perception of a hybrid course design using data collected from 150 students and 10 full-time faculty members over a four-year period.   We will discuss such factors as course delivery preference, schedule flexibility, effectiveness of on-line course content, interaction and networking between student and faculty, student engagement in course activities, and faculty responsiveness to student needs.

References:

Granham, C. & Kaleta, R. (2002).  Introduction to hybrid courses.  Teaching with technology today, 8(10).  Retrieved October 10, 2008 from http://www.uwsa.edu/ttt/articles/garnham.htm

Session Type: Lecture/Presentation

On-Site Equipment Requirements: Projection system for PowerPoint display

Contact Information/Affiliation:
Carolyn Carter, Milligan College
P. O. Box 500
Milligan College, TN 37682
cwcarter@milligan.edu
423-461-8670

Teresa Carter, Milligan College
P. O. Box 500
Milligan College, TN 37682
tacarter@milligan.edu
423-461-8411

Bob Mahan, Milligan College
P. O. Box 500
Milligan College, TN 37682
rlmahan@milligan.edu
423-461-8673

Carolyn Massello, Milligan College
P. O. Box 500
Milligan College, TN 37682
CMassello@milligan.edu
423-461-8445

Vikki Sitter, Milligan College
P. O. Box 500
Milligan College, TN 37682
vlsitter@milligan.edu
423-461-8941