Volume 3

7 pages 360 K bytes

Tools for Hybrid Instruction - Classroom and Distance Instruction in Synchronous and Asynchronous Modes John Sigle Louisiana State University in Shreveport Shreveport, Louisiana 71115, USA Jeff Key Louisiana State University in Shreveport Shreveport, Louisiana 71115, USA Adrienne Critcher Louisiana State University in Shreveport Shreveport, Louisiana 71115, USA Jamie Prince Louisiana State University in Shreveport Shreveport, Louisiana 71115, USA

Abstract: Higher education in this country must evolve in order to meet the learning needs of students that have difficulty acquiring degrees due to the scheduling and geographical constraints of the traditional classroom. Current approaches to this challenge are known collectively as "distance learning" and include web based education which often consists of reading assignments and online discussion groups and/or compressed video ("talking heads.") Many sacrifices have been made to traditional instructional techniques in order to adapt to the constraints of current hardware, software, and bandwidth. With the availability of higher bandwidth and faster computers we have the potential to restore many of the positive attributes of the traditional classroom environment to "distance learning." We believe that the natural evolution for delivery of instruction is to a hybrid mode in which the regular classroom experience is made available to distant students as well as those in the classroom and a combination of synchronous and asynchronous methods are used. Students can "attend" class synchronously when schedules permit, and receive instruction asynchronously otherwise. Our experience indicates that many of these same tools improve the learning experience for traditional classroom students. This paper reports on a number of software and hardware tools that we acquired and developed under a grant. We gained experience with these tools and assessed their potential for improvement of the instructional environment.

Keywords: distance learning, synchronous learning tools, asynchronous learning tools, recorded lectures

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Recommended Citation: Sigle, Key, Critcher, and Prince (2005). Tools for Hybrid Instruction - Classroom and Distance Instruction in Synchronous and Asynchronous Modes. Information Systems Education Journal, 3 (14). http://isedj.org/3/14/. ISSN: 1545-679X. (A preliminary version appears in The Proceedings of ISECON 2004: §4122. ISSN: 1542-7382.)