Course Overview:

A hybrid course combines face-to-face instruction and web-or computer-based learning. Common features of hybrid courses will be explored including the delivery of the syllabus, effective online lectures, readings and assignments on web pages; discussions and presentations through online message boards, e-mail and chat; interactive tutorials and labs; and on-line assessments. By taking advantage of online-extended instruction, less in-class time can be spent on mundane tasks and more time can be spent on collaborative, flexible and meaningful activities that incorporate all student learning styles.

In this six-week course, teachers determine what aspects of their course are best suited to presentation online, create new approaches to communicating with students and create active independent learning experiences for students. Using computer-based technologies, instructors use the hybrid model to redesign some lecture or lab content into new online learning activities, such as case studies, tutorials, self-testing exercises, simulations, and online group collaborations.

Who Should Attend?

This series is appropriate for:

• Teachers who want to effectively utilize a hybrid model of instruction, using online components to supplement the face-to-face experience of their students
• Curriculum specialists who need to understand the critical success elements of hybrid teaching models
• Administrators who want to experience first-hand the power of online learning while determining their own district’s online professional development needs.

What Will You Learn?

Participants attending this course will:

• Explore and reflect on ways to make the transition from a web-extended classroom to a hybrid classroom
• Design hybrid learning activities that promote active learning and thinking
• Initiate the design process for a hybrid course, and redesign existing course materials to develop hybrid course modules.

Participation Requirements & Graduate Credit:

Best Practices in Online Teaching and Learning courses are 6-week courses taken entirely over the Internet. Courses move forward on a weekly schedule and there are approximately 5-7 hours of activities per week. This course is eligible for three graduate credits from Plymouth State University.

Session Dates & Pricing

Sessions for 21st Century Teaching Best Practices: Online Extended Teaching will be offered

• October 15, 2008
• January 14, 2009
• April 15, 2009
• July 8, 2009
• October 14, 2009

Tuition is $275 per session

Discounted pricing is available for a group of teachers from one district or region. Please contact a VHS representative at 978-450-0418 for group pricing.

Register today for Online-extended Teaching or the complete Best Practices series.