Skip to main content

Teaching Hybrid Courses

Hybrid, or blended, courses involve both face-to-face and online learning. Garrison and Vaughan describe blended learning as “the thoughtful fusion of face-to-face and online learning experiences” (2008, p. 5). Hybrid courses can offer greater flexibility in terms of scheduling, opportunities for students to choose how they will demonstrate their understanding, and pace, as a few examples. However, if there isn’t cohesion between what happens online and what happens in the physical classroom, students can become confused or overwhelmed.

Link face-to-face and online sessions

  • Start by reviewing the course learning outcomes and assessments and determine what students would benefit most from doing in class with you and their peers in real-time, and what could be done online (allowing for more flexibility).
  • It is important for there to be a strong connection between what happens online versus what happens face-to-face.

Help learners stay on-track

  • An at-a-glance schedule or weekly checklist can be used to keep students up-to-date. Posting these somewhere that is easy to find on the course site is highly recommended.
  • The calendar tool in the learning management system is one way to communicate meeting dates and times as well as due dates for assignments, quizzes, etc.

Leverage learning technology

  • Tools in the learning management system can be used to facilitate online learning activities. Examples include discussion forums, groups, blogs, journals, tests and assignments.
  • G Suite (formerly Google Apps for Education) allows teachers and students to share and edit content in a collaborative manner.
  • Video software can be used to create videos to supplement portions of content or describe key elements of the course, including assignment instructions and explanations. Visit our Multimedia Services section for more video tools and tips.

Additional Resources

References

Garrison, D. R., & Vaughan, N. D. (2008). Blended learning in higher education: Framework, principles, and guidelines. John Wiley & Sons.  

Help and Support

For additional support in teaching hybrid courses, please contact the Teaching and Learning Centre by filling out a:

Support Request Form