Hybrid Courses:

The Pros & Cons of Online Learning

Kennesaw State University, Department of Visual Arts:
Charlotte Collins, Asst. Prof. of Art, College Of The Arts Core Coordinator
Dr. Linda Hightower, Professor of Art, Department Chair
Natasha Lovelace, Asst. Professor of Art, Department of University Studies

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 Hybrid Courses:
The Cons of Online Learning
Some learning techniques require interactive activities:

• lab activities
(haptic learning styles)
• demonstrations
• group presentations
• class critiques
• spontaneous
“teaching moments”

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 Hybrid Courses:
The Cons of Online Learning
Some learning techniques require interactive activities:
• instantaneous q & a,
group discussions,
feedback
• personal insights
during lectures
• visual & auditory interplay
with speaker and audience
• live performances
& guest lectures
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 Further Cons of Online Learning:

• Learning Style Limitations

• Class Size Limitations
• Managerial Time Increased (email, discussions, updates,
content management, technology problems,
learning curve for faculty and students)
• Papers, quizzes & tests require more faculty time

Essential:
• Administrative Support
• Technology Support
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 Pros of Online Learning: that can &
can not be met in Hybrid Courses
Online Courses:
• Students can often work at their own pace
• Work and personal schedules can be prioritized
• Class space is relieved
Student Responder Pads:
• Saves money for xerox copies
• Tests and quizzes are graded electronically
Online Website:
• Information is stored & available 24 hours a day
(saves money for text &/or xerox copies)
• Students can monitor their own progress
• Email, announcements, & discussions facilitated 5
 Help for Hybrid Courses:
Responder Pads in the Classroom: Pros & Cons

Is there a remote control that can:

• save money for text and xerox copies
• grade tests & quizzes electronically,
• take attendance,
• tally surveys,
• provide instant feedback & study guides, and
• encourage group discussions (even in large classes)?

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 What are the PROS that we have
experienced in classes of 20 &100 students?

• Saves instructor grading time & class time

• Saves department money: Paperless option
• Ability to generate individualized study guides
• Receive feedback from quiet students
• Ability to call on random students by name
• Ability to manipulate assessment methods for each question
• Ability to assess reading comprehension & attendance
instantaneously
• Fosters brainstorming, discussions, critical thinking,
& critiques
• Ability to quiz during PowerPoint lectures
• Students love it 7
 How does it work?

1. Instructor writes questions & answers in multiple choice,

true/false, yes/no, or subjective question (not for credit) format.
Images can be included in questions, answers, or both. Questions
can also be given orally in a spontaneous method during a
PowerPoint presentation.
2. Each student in the classroom sends their response to a receiver
through their remote pad. Assessments can be teacher managed,
which allows time for discussion & questions. They can also be
student managed, allowing students to move at their own pace.
3. Answers are scored electronically. Faculty can download results
in Excel spreadsheets, or print & enter into their regular grade
book or website gradebook manually. 8
CPS Main Page: Classes Folder
(students register themselves)

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CPS Main Page: Lessons Folder

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PROS: Variety of Individual Question Format Options

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Teacher Managed(or paced) questions allow discussion time.
Student Managed questions allow them to move at their
own pace.

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Sample Question with Visual (responder pad identification
number appear at the bottom {before students respond})

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Sample Question w/ Visual (pad id number as students respond)
Blue= response recorded; Green= already recorded;
Yellow= answer changed; Red= letter chosen is not an option (D)

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 PROS: Saves Grading Time
Sample of Instructor Summary Report

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PROS: Variety of Report Options

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PROS: Ability to call on Random Students for questioning
during PowerPoint Lectures (great for large classes)

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PROS: Ability to Quickly Assess Reading Comprehension
On a Daily Basis, it also Serves as Attendance

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PROS: Attendance Assessment without Questions

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PROS: Example of a Subjective Question (no credit)
Fosters Critical Thinking Skills and Class Discussion

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PROS: Ability to Survey Opinions During Class
Can be anonymous

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PROS: Ability to Deliver Quizzes during PowerPoint Lectures

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 What are the CONS that we have
experienced in classes of 20 &100 students?

• Initial learning curve (our company offered excellent

technical support service, on-line training & manuals)
• Student expense: purchase & registration fee (both of these
vary with the company)
• Difficulty with receivers, software, and response pads
(again, our company offered excellent support service)
• Cheating possibilities (radio frequency pads eliminate this,
as do Student Managed questions with multiple tests)
• Faculty are resistant to technology

* Please give any suggestions you may have to resolve these

issues in the questionnaire on the table.
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 Help for Hybrid Courses:
Online Website: Pros

Online Website software can:

• save money for text and xerox copies
• grade tests & quizzes electronically
(textbook support software)
• allows students to take tests & quizzes at own pace
(within instructor deadlines)
• store information that is available 24 hours a day
• allow students to monitor their progress (gradebook)
• allow students to move ahead (optional)
• facilitate email, announcements, and discussions
• save class time
Is it for you? Go to charcollins.pageout.net 24
 What are the CONS that we have
experienced in classes of 20 &100 students?

• Initial learning curve (our company offered excellent

technical support service, on-line training & manuals)
• Possible technology problems for students with older computers
• Faculty are resistant to technology

•Again, please give any comments or suggestions you may have

in the questionnaire on the table.

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 Any Questions, Comments or Suggestions?
• Please jot them down in the questionnaire on the table.
We would appreciate your input!
Contacts:
Charlotte Collins, Asst. Professor of Art, College of the Arts
Core Coordinator, Dept. of Visual Arts, Kennesaw State
University, 770-423-6138, ccollins@kennesaw.edu
Dr. Linda Hightower, Professor of Art, Department Chair, Dept.
of Visual Arts, Kennesaw State University, 770-423-6139,
lhightow@kennesaw.edu
Natasha Lovelace, Asst. Professor of Art, Dept. of University
Studies, Kennesaw State University, 770-423-6138,
nlovelace@kennesaw.edu 26