The University of Houston Embraces Hybrid Instruction
Conclusions
Hybrid instruction is still at a pioneering stage. Institutions of higher education are funding experimentations with hybrids and successfully solving problems. However, it should be noted that regulatory and accreditation agencies have yet to update policies and regulations in response. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), which is responsible for overseeing and regulating higher education in Texas, recognizes hybrids as online courses, thus relieving institutions from contact hour rules for these courses. However, hybrids, like traditional course, also need state funding of infrastructural support such as classroom space, parking and student services. The THECB is aware of the special challenges posed by hybrids and it is speculated that the THECB and other regulatory agencies will soon modify policies to facilitate this promising new mode of instruction.
At UH, the Department of Institutional Research-Effectiveness is currently implementing a plan that assesses student perceptions and satisfaction, student outcomes and retention rates in hybrid courses. The plan is to administer attitude surveys, conduct student focus groups and, where possible, compare test scores and grades with corresponding f2f courses. Qualitative data through interviews with course instructors and instructional designers is also being collected. This data will afford more far-reaching conclusions than are possible at the time of writing this contribution.