Hybrid Course Design

A hybrid course is one that incorporates both online/remote content delivery as well as in-person delivery. Delivery methods can be mixed in many different ways depending on course format, size, and population. Determining what is appropriate for your courses can be a complex decision. Because of the likelihood of courses being affected by the COVID-19 virus pandemic, many, if not all, courses will need to be delivered using a hybrid design or completely online.

Hybrid Design Models

These models represent possible options for designing courses for the upcoming fall term. They are examples of how you can integrate different aspects of in-person and online course delivery. While you are welcome to use features of any of these models, students need to be made aware of the extent to which you are going to make use of required or optional in-person sessions or testing.

Option One

Required in-person delivery or applied learning/lab, remote testing and assignments

Course content and demonstrations are delivered using in-person sessions and labs. Additional testing and assignments will be delivered online.

Works well for the following course types:

Lab and practical courses that require group work and direct physical contact
Courses with resources that must be accessed on-site
Performance courses

Option Two

Optional in-person delivery, with online testing and assignments

Course content is delivered in-person with online duplication. Testing and assignments are delivered online.

Works well for the following course types:

Courses that require coming to the university for some but not all content delivery
Capstone and upper-level courses where students gain a huge benefit from in-person contact
Small courses where students can meet in existing classrooms and still meet social distancing guidelines

Option Three

Blended delivery with in-person testing and optional in-person enrichment

Course content is delivered through BOTH in-person and online sessions. Optional in-person sessions are used to facilitate small-group enrichment and study sessions.

Works well for the following course types:

Courses that require coming to the university for some but not all content delivery
Capstone and upper-level courses where students gain a huge benefit from in-person contact
Courses that require proctored group or in-person testing

Option Four

Online delivery and testing testing with optional in-person enrichment

Course content is delivered exclusively online. Testing and optional enrichment sessions will occur in-person.

Works well for the following course types:

Large courses were content can be delivered online, but small-group, in-person enrichment can benefit students
Courses with minimal group instruction and opportunities for one-on-one faculty conferences
Courses that have guest speakers who will be video captured but who will allow in-person attendance

Any courses that meet for in-person sessions must follow all social distancing guidelines and wear face coverings during all in-person class activities including lectures.

The in-person components of any course would still need to be modified to meet the in-person requirements for safety.

These could include:

Content delivery may need to be made available online
In-person delivery may need to be less frequent than with traditional classroom instruction
In-person delivery may need to be set up on a rotating basis to ensure social distancing requirements

All course delivery should be planned with the possibility of a return to fully online instruction during the fall semester. While we hope to stay on campus, should a transition to online become necessary again, any content already adapted for online delivery reduces stress on faculty and student alike.

Online Design Models

Fully online courses allow for the greatest flexibility for both instructors and students while freeing up classroom space for an adapted course schedule this fall. Students need to be made aware that all of your course delivery and testing will occur through the use of online resources and sessions.

Fully online, synchronous delivery

Course content is delivered exclusively online. The instructor will moderate online sessions for all students at the same time. Synchronous content will be made available after sessions are completed.

Fully online, asynchronous delivery

Course content is delivered exclusively online. Course work is completed at the students' discretion, meeting all course due dates.

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