Evaluating a Hybrid Learning Environment in an Introductory Statistics Course

• Activity Number: 189
• Type: Contributed
• Date/Time: Monday, August 5, 2013 : 10:30 AM to 12:20 PM
• Sponsor: Section on Statistical Education
• Author(s): Herle McGowan*+
• Companies: North Carolina State University
• Keywords: Blended course ; Hybrid course ; Online instruction ; Active learning ; Assessment

Abstract

In 2011, the largest introductory statistics course at North Carolina State University was redesigned to use a blended (or hybrid) format. This format incorporates both face-to-face and online course components. After four semesters of developing and revising materials, we will present an evaluation of the redesigned course using a quasi-experimental design. The evaluation addresses the student perspective, including experiences, comments, and performance, as well as the instructor perspective, including benefits, challenges, and next directions. We hope to demonstrate that the online components of the course "do no harm" to the students' learning when compared to a fully face-to-face course that incorporates active learning, and in fact that these online components create a more efficient course experience for the students, instructor, and university.