Hybrid course design: Leading a new direction in learning programming languages

Abstract

"Introduction to Computing for Engineers" is a programming course emphasizing problem solving. The lack of practice time, in addition to the algorithm-centric nature of programming, results in an inadequate comprehension of course material. In the fall of 2010, three faculty members created and implemented online activities consisting of video lecture slides, and mini on-line quizzes at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to give students more "hands-on" learning (rather than expecting them to absorb content through lecture). Students do online lecture study by themselves, then come to the lab to practice on the following day with the instructor and teaching assistant. In the fall of 2010, four out of ten sections were delivered using hybrid instruction. Analysis of exam results at the end of the semester showed no significant distinction between hybrid learning and traditional study. Feedback received from the students indicates that the majority of students preferred the hybrid course over the traditional course. Students who took the hybrid course during this semester are happy with their hybrid experience. These positive results encouraged faculty members to increase the number of hybrid sections to four during the spring of 2011 and the fall of 2011 semesters. The hybrid course design and course-wide assessment continued. In this paper, improvement of the online video design is introduced, and assessment results are presented. It is believed that by switching from a traditional classroom environment to a hybrid learning, student comprehension of the course content will improve, in addition to their interest and subsequent retention in engineering. © 2012 American Society for Engineering Education.