Guide for Scheduling/Program Strategy for Online and Hybrid Classes

Online Classes

Online classes require a specific approach to scheduling since three distinct types of students utilize them. The first type uses online classes to supplement their schedule since every online class (with no set meeting time) fits into their schedule of hybrid or traditional classes. The second type has a strong preference for online classes because the mode fits with their learning preferences and/or they appreciate the flexibility due to activities (e.g. athletics), family, or work commitments. The final type are students that require online classes because it is impossible or impractical to attend in person classes due to factors such as family, disability, proximity, or work commitments.

While online sections are easy to schedule because they require no physical meeting spaces, they require a strategy to ensure that in-demand or required courses are offered in this mode on a regular basis. This is so students who require online classes to advance toward a degree can make steady progress. Moreover, online offerings of popular or required courses create a safety valve for the time and space limitations of traditional in person section either due to faculty preference or availability of in person classroom space. Often different types of students take online versus hybrid or traditional classes so sections of the same course can be offered both in person and online, either in the same semester or on a rotation basis.

In Communication Studies, this generally means a regular rotating selection of Foundations (theory), Inquiry (research methods), and Practice (application) courses. Fortunately, we have a stable group of dedicated full-time online faculty that provide a variety of courses as well as other faculty who regularly teach online along with hybrid and all in person. Also, some faculty who teach in several modes also exclusively teach specific courses, usually due to special training in that area.  Refer to previous schedules for examples of online course distribution. Many faculty members operate a semi-set pattern over the course of the year.

Hybrid Classes

The primary way hybrid classes are offered is using only one of the two times slots normally allotted to a traditional in person class; the remaining class time is online. PeopleSoft  is set up for scheduling classes to meet either all online or all in person. Scheduling hybrid classes usually requires assigning two at the same time in the same room but on opposite days, as with one on Monday 9-10:15am and the second Wednesday 9-10:15am. On advantage of scheduling hybrid classes is they maximize the sections that can be offered during “prime time” (M-Th 9-3) when demand is high.

Hybrid classes are a good option for many students (and faculty) since it is easier to schedule activities, family, or work commitments either by limiting the number of days on campus (reducing commutes) or shifting schedules to particular parts of the day. Hybrid classes combine the convenience of online with the in person interaction of a traditional class that many students desire.

Intersession

Hybrid and online classes are especially effective in summer sessions. In Communication Studies, we’ve found that online and hybrid classes are far more popular than all in person classes. The department has offered one online class in the winter session for many years and is experimenting with additional online classes for Winter 2014.