The Hybrid Online Model: Good Practice
Margaret A. Martyn

The hybrid model, which encompasses a first class face-to-face meeting, weekly online assessment and synchronous chat, asynchronous online threaded discussion, e-mail, and a last class face-to-face exam, provides an excellent way for institutions to enter the online arena and still ensure quality courses. This model demonstrated effectiveness for adult learners at a small liberal arts college for the past two years. Based on this success, the college plans to increase the number of hybrid online courses offered in the next year. With the pressure to enter the online education arena, the hybrid online model may be an excellent fit for many institutions.

The Hybrid Online Model

Read the full article at the EDUCAUSE link below…

Link: http://www.educause.edu/library/EQM0313

In a two part series, Campus Technology looks into using chat as an instructional tool in education:

Using Chat To Move the Thinking Process Forward
Ruth Reynard

In the first installment, chat is discussed in general terms and its abilities for the use of mixed media and synchronous interaction are emphasized.

Link: http://www.campustechnology.com/articles/68502/

Designing a Working Space for Chat

The second installment looks at some of the major concepts in using chat effectively in the process of moving the thinking process forward, like building ideas, constructing media, and establishing which elements are critical to making the environment dynamic and relevant to the student.

Link: http://www.campustechnology.com/articles/68632/