Hybrid Courses:

The Pros & Cons of Online Learning

Kennesaw State University, Department of Visual Arts: Charlotte Collins, Asst. Prof. of Art, College Of The Arts Core Coordinator Dr. Linda Hightower, Professor of Art, Department Chair Natasha Lovelace, Asst. Professor of Art, Department of University Studies
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Hybrid Courses: The Cons of Online Learning

Some learning techniques require interactive activities: lab activities (haptic learning styles) demonstrations group presentations class critiques spontaneous teaching moments

Hybrid Courses: The Cons of Online Learning

Some learning techniques require interactive activities: instantaneous q & a, group discussions, feedback personal insights during lectures visual & auditory interplay with speaker and audience live performances & guest lectures
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Further Cons of Online Learning:

Learning Style Limitations Class Size Limitations Managerial Time Increased (email, discussions, updates,
content management, technology problems, learning curve for faculty and students)

Papers, quizzes & tests require more faculty time

Essential: Administrative Support Technology Support

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Pros of Online Learning: that can & can not be met in Hybrid Courses
Online Courses: Students can often work at their own pace Work and personal schedules can be prioritized Class space is relieved Student Responder Pads: Saves money for xerox copies Tests and quizzes are graded electronically Online Website: Information is stored & available 24 hours a day
(saves money for text &/or xerox copies)

Students can monitor their own progress Email, announcements, & discussions facilitated

Help for Hybrid Courses: Responder Pads in the Classroom: Pros & Cons

Is there a remote control that can: save money for text and xerox copies grade tests & quizzes electronically, take attendance, tally surveys, provide instant feedback & study guides, and encourage group discussions (even in large classes)?

What are the PROS that we have experienced in classes of 20 &100 students?
Saves instructor grading time & class time Saves department money: Paperless option Ability to generate individualized study guides Receive feedback from quiet students Ability to call on random students by name Ability to manipulate assessment methods for each question Ability to assess reading comprehension & attendance instantaneously Fosters brainstorming, discussions, critical thinking, & critiques Ability to quiz during PowerPoint lectures 7 Students love it

How does it work?

1. Instructor writes questions & answers in multiple choice, true/false, yes/no, or subjective question (not for credit) format. Images can be included in questions, answers, or both. Questions can also be given orally in a spontaneous method during a PowerPoint presentation.
2. Each student in the classroom sends their response to a receiver through their remote pad. Assessments can be teacher managed, which allows time for discussion & questions. They can also be student managed, allowing students to move at their own pace. 3. Answers are scored electronically. Faculty can download results in Excel spreadsheets, or print & enter into their regular grade book or website gradebook manually. 8

CPS Main Page: Classes Folder (students register themselves)

CPS Main Page: Lessons Folder

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PROS: Variety of Individual Question Format Options

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Teacher Managed(or paced) questions allow discussion time. Student Managed questions allow them to move at their own pace.

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Sample Question with Visual (responder pad identification number appear at the bottom {before students respond})

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Sample Question w/ Visual (pad id number as students respond) Blue= response recorded; Green= already recorded; Yellow= answer changed; Red= letter chosen is not an option (D)

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PROS: Saves Grading Time Sample of Instructor Summary Report

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PROS: Variety of Report Options

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PROS: Ability to call on Random Students for questioning during PowerPoint Lectures (great for large classes)

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PROS: Ability to Quickly Assess Reading Comprehension On a Daily Basis, it also Serves as Attendance

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PROS: Attendance Assessment without Questions

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PROS: Example of a Subjective Question (no credit) Fosters Critical Thinking Skills and Class Discussion

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PROS: Ability to Survey Opinions During Class Can be anonymous

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PROS: Ability to Deliver Quizzes during PowerPoint Lectures

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What are the CONS that we have experienced in classes of 20 &100 students?
Initial learning curve (our company offered excellent technical support service, on-line training & manuals) Student expense: purchase & registration fee (both of these vary with the company) Difficulty with receivers, software, and response pads (again, our company offered excellent support service) Cheating possibilities (radio frequency pads eliminate this, as do Student Managed questions with multiple tests) Faculty are resistant to technology

* Please give any suggestions you may have to resolve these issues in the questionnaire on the table.
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Help for Hybrid Courses: Online Website: Pros Online Website software can: save money for text and xerox copies grade tests & quizzes electronically
(textbook support software)

allows students to take tests & quizzes at own pace

store information that is available 24 hours a day allow students to monitor their progress (gradebook) allow students to move ahead (optional) facilitate email, announcements, and discussions save class time Is it for you? Go to charcollins.pageout.net
(within instructor deadlines)

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What are the CONS that we have experienced in classes of 20 &100 students?

Initial learning curve (our company offered excellent technical support service, on-line training & manuals) Possible technology problems for students with older computers Faculty are resistant to technology Again, please give any comments or suggestions you may have in the questionnaire on the table.

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Any Questions, Comments or Suggestions?

Please jot them down in the questionnaire on the table. We would appreciate your input! Contacts: Charlotte Collins, Asst. Professor of Art, College of the Arts Core Coordinator, Dept. of Visual Arts, Kennesaw State University, 770-423-6138, ccollins@kennesaw.edu Dr. Linda Hightower, Professor of Art, Department Chair, Dept. of Visual Arts, Kennesaw State University, 770-423-6139, lhightow@kennesaw.edu Natasha Lovelace, Asst. Professor of Art, Dept. of University Studies, Kennesaw State University, 770-423-6138, nlovelace@kennesaw.edu

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