LESSONS LEARNED IN CONVERTING A RESIDENT INSTRUCTION COURSE TO

BLENDED EXPERIENCE

The Hybrid Blender

Background

First…..a conversation with administrators

Enrollment

Becoming a ‘Hub’

Resident

student

desires

Answer: A Hybrid

Hello!!

Fred Aebli Penn State University

Penn State Worthington Scranton Campus Penn State World Campus

Marine Consultant – Information Technology

Contact: fja100@psu.edufjaebli (twitter)

Question

How many of your participated in a

BLENDEDOr

HYBRID

experience?

Initial Preparations

Hardware• Microphones• Headsets??• Speakers

SoftwareClassroom Selection

Hardware - Audio

WH30 Condenser Headset Microphone

MX410 Gooseneck Condenser Microphone

Software - Communication

Class Room Space (Meeting) was createdRecordings were placed online and available within Adobe Connect

Software – CMS (Angel)

Guidance on Connecting

Quizzes run online 72 hour period

Exams – in class and proctored

online

Youtube Gallery(very helpful)

The Classroom

• 24 Students - majority are Juniors.• Great energy.• IT Majors

• Great interest in subject matter

Organization and Design of Information Systems: User and System Principles

15 Week Course

Midterm Exam and Final Exam

Quizzes

5-7 Lab Assignments

LIVE Interaction with a live business

Team Project

The Online Interaction

All Juniors (5)Varying technologies

cellphone

Early Problems

Speaker FeedbackAdobe Connect

University license….locked up frequently (browser issues)

Teams switched to Google Hangouts (not a silver bullet)

Skipping Classes Must build into syllabus attendance policy. Or…..allow for asynchronous interaction.

Best Practices – Adobe Connect

Avoid wireless (can we???)Shut down email/IM and any programs NOT being used

for the presentation.Shut down any VPN's and directly connect to the

internet.Use only solid colors or simple logo's for the meeting

room background. Photographs distract from the content.Have programs ready to demonstrate. Avoid launching

and logging into programs while screen sharing.Turn off the computer sleep settings. Especially if a

password login is required.The DRY RUN!!

Successes

Team Experience Improved virtual team skills. Improved communication. Appreciated the experience to work with a remote

team member. Foundation for further course delivery

(running it again this semester)

Other Issues, Glitches….Failures

Student Side Low Audio – “Can you please repeat??” Delay in getting ‘booted up’ – instructor. Need a better mechanism to ‘see online student’. Students –

“More microphones!” “It should be available for each and every

course....”

Other Issues, Glitches….Failures

Instructor Side Audio Equipment battery usage. Be in class early and ready to go (slow

boot up times). Early proctor contact.

Survey Data (25 respondents – 2 classes)

01234

Responses

Survey Data Continued

0

1

2

3

4

5

Lessons Learned

The Hybrid Method is an

effective alternative to

delivering lower enrolled courses.

Student engagement really

hinges on the instructor being

prepared.

Recommendations

MONITORHave student monitor the chat window in Adobe Connect during class.

CONTACTProvide online students the ability to call you during the class via cell phone.

ENGAGEEngage online students every class with questions.

TEAMINGHave resident students teamed with online students.

Thank You

Questions?Questions?