11/5/2020 Pros & Cons of Hybrid Courses

Pros & Cons of Hybrid Courses

Education | College & Higher Education
By Susie Zappia

Hybrid courses are college courses that combine traditional classroom activities with online
instruction. This format is sometimes also called "blended learning." The University of
Washington at Bothell defines a hybrid course as one "where 25 to 50 percent of the traditional
face-to-face class time is replaced with online or out-of-class work." Most students report that the
hybrid class experience is a beneficial one, providing the best of both worlds: They cite the
personal interaction with the instructor and classmates as positive and enjoy the convenience of
reduced time spent in the traditional classroom. Depending on your life circumstances and self-
motivation, hybrid courses may be an excellent academic match for you.

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Four Criteria to Consider Before Enrolling

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The University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee provides a checklist of four criteria for students
considering a hybrid course. First, regular access to a fast broadband Internet connection is
essential, along with basic keyboarding skills. Also critical to success are competency in writing
and reading: A student in a hybrid course needs to be able to communicate well in online
discussions that don't involve body language or other subtle clues. You also need to manage time
skillfully; accordingly, the fourth component you need to consider honestly is your own ability to
work independently and take responsibility for assignments and activities that might require more
creativity and active learning than traditional lectures.

The Advantages of Hybrid Courses

For students who have mastered basic time management and active learning skills, hybrid
courses offer numerous perks. This instructional format provides opportunities to rewatch
recordings and reread comments and lectures. You can also access course material when you are
freshest and at your most mentally alert, as well as from your favorite spaces and at the most
convenient times. Well-designed online instruction generally features instant grading tools such
as online quizzes, enabling students to benefit from immediate feedback. Savings for both faculty
and students on transportation costs is another factor. For students juggling family
responsibilities or jobs with odd hours, the online facets of hybrid courses represent opportunities
to make it all work.

Some Disadvantages of Hybrid Courses

Many students grapple with time management and organization, making them less ideal
candidates for courses that include online instruction. Others tend to be less participatory in
asynchronous class discussions, putting them at a disadvantage both in terms of grades and
comprehension. Students with limited computer or Internet access will struggle. Some will miss
the intellectual and social stimulation of on-campus classes that enables them to build
friendships and to network. Depending on your learning style, you may miss the instructor's body
language and verbal or voice cues that can enhance communication. Very young students can
often be unsure of how to deal with feelings of isolation encountered in the online environment.

Faculty Perspectives
A 2011 survey of U.S. community colleges by the Instructional Technology Council revealed that
71 percent of them offer hybrid courses, and that hybrid courses are often a good transition for

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11/5/2020 Pros & Cons of Hybrid Courses

students who are not quite ready for exclusive online instruction. However, students occasionally
bring the mistaken perception to hybrid and online courses that they are easier than comparable
courses in the classroom. Some University of Wisconsin faculty also report difficulty getting
students to grasp the concept of a hybrid course and understand what is expected of them. For
students with busy lives who possess maturity and focus, however, the hybrid course combines
the convenience of online instruction with the benefits of classroom instruction.

References
Photo Credits
• Stockbyte/Stockbyte/Getty Images

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11/5/2020 Pros & Cons of Hybrid Courses

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Negative Effects of Online Courses

By Neil Kokemuller

Demand for online courses has increased in the early 21st century among college students. This
is especially true among adult workers who rely on flexible and convenient education to get a
degree. According to an August 2011 "Pew Research Center" report, 89 percent of public and 60
percent of private colleges offer online courses. Despite the popularity, online classes do have
downsides.

Less Direct Contact

Online classes don't offer the same immediate and regular access to instructors and classmates
as traditional face-to-face classes. The communication typically takes place through e-mail and in
virtual discussion forums. While this can aid in learning technology, it negatively impacts a
student's ability to interact with professors, ask questions and get immediate help. It also takes
away from some of the social and team-building that occurs informally in college classrooms.

Time Commitment
Students sometimes misconstrue that online classes require less time and effort than traditional
courses. The Montgomery College Online Student Success Center noted that active and self-

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disciplined learners typically succeed. Students who struggle with traditional course rigor often
have difficulty with the time commitment required for online classwork. You normally have to
schedule time each day to read assignments and complete quizzes and tests that you would take
in class in a traditional setting. Online students also have to engage in class discussions and
complete assignments, papers and projects. Team activities may also add to the time
commitment in some classes, as students must often communicate with peers electronically and
collaborate on work.

Less Accountability
Online students can't rely on as much instructor and peer feedback and accountability as
traditional courses sometimes offer. Instructors often update grades through virtual grade books
and don't have as much opportunity for regular informal feedback before and after classes.
Additionally, students don't have regular contact with class peers, who can offer assignment
reminders and encouragement to complete projects and assignments. This also applies to team
activities since you don't have direct interaction with teammates pushing you to complete your
responsibilities.

Higher Dropout Rate

Tangibly, the most negative effect of online classes is a higher rate of class failure and dropouts.
A study revealed in July 2011 by the Columbia University Community College Research Center
indicated that Washington community college students were more likely to drop online classes
than traditional ones. Course completion for traditional courses was 90 percent, and for online
classes, it was 82 percent. Additionally, students in the study who took online courses were less
likely to complete a degree or transfer to another college. Students studied in 2004 who took at
least one fall online class were 34 percent likely to drop out after one year compared to 26
percent who only took face-to-face classes.

References
Photo Credits
• Comstock Images/Comstock/Getty Images

About the Author

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