As many colleges and universities start to consider how they can apply the lessons learned during emergency remote teaching, some LSA instructors are planning classes that blend in-person with online activities, to take advantage of the best that both modes can offer students. Exploration of blended classes, and of how the various teaching and learning tools available to LSA can expand the high-quality interactions and activities of in-person courses, is starting out slowly. However, the dedication of LSA instructors to innovative teaching will certainly accelerate this exploration in the coming year or two.
To support this unfolding interest, LSA Technology Services’ Learning and Teaching Consultants, who created most of the Teaching Remotely and Learning Remotely web pages and resources for LSA, have begun to create new resources and recommendations. The Instructional Strategies section of the LSA Technology Services website now includes a section on Online & Blended Learning. This will be a growing and ongoing project as the future of LSA’s blended and online teaching takes shape. Be sure to check back for new material at the start of Fall!
This section currently covers a variety of topics to help LSA instructors get started. The Teaching Modes page explains the basics of what “blended” versus “hybrid” versus “online” means. Why Teach Blended or Online covers some essential points about what online activities are good for. The What Makes a Good Online Course and Activity and Interaction Hours pages include helpful guidelines on how instructors might conceptualize blended and online course activities and ensure that they are of LSA quality. There are even recommendations to help faculty plan their course proposals.
While one-on-one consultations are, of course, the best way to do in-depth course design and planning, these self-paced resources will help LSA instructors focus on the major issues. Instructors who are considering the possibilities of blended teaching will certainly want to have a look through these new pages.
