Hybrid online classes: What we've learned

A traditionally written introduction to Moodle;
A video presentation about using Moodle;
Introduction to Moodle, a self-paced Moodle class; and,
Introduction to Online Strategies, a four-week training offered prior to each semester to introduce facilitation skills and to help instructors–new and old–practice learning and teaching online.

We like the transition we have made. The instructors who have stayed with us to learn how to teach online have enjoyed the challenge and continue to hone their online skills. They will add, however, that the HO teaching is at least as much work as teaching a traditional course. Most say that it is more work.

We believe we are improving our ability to teach our students about teaching–the stronger writing is an indication of our students’ engagement with the content. We continue to strive to find ways to build communities in our HO sections in the same way the very best classrooms build communities of people working together to understand new ideas. And we continue to be excited about the challenge of finding new ways to reach our students. We are now both a virtual and a brick-and-mortar institution. We are preparing our students to teach in both–an approach that reflects the world in which they will teach.

Leonard J. Lubinsky is co-director of the Collaborative for Educational Services Licensure Program. He was Superintendent of the Erving School Union #28 in Massachusetts for 25 years and the first non-founder Executive Director of the Northeast Foundation for Children.

David Greenberg is a Senior Associate in the Collaborative for Educational Services Licensure Program. Formerly, he was the Director of Technology for the Mohawk Trail Regional School District in Massachusetts.

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