Studying this course

Before we get into the course, have you wondered what teaching and learning in Higher Education (HE) might look like in the future? For many universities, the answer lies in a blended/hybrid learning model using platforms such as Moodle and Microsoft Teams, in which academics combine synchronous teaching on campus (or online) with asynchronous learning delivered online free from time and space constraints.

Of course, designing teaching and learning in these two modes (synchronous and asynchronous) either on campus or online, in ways that are mutually reinforcing is far from straightforward. To help you to meet this challenge, I have devised Introduction to Blended and Hybrid Learning Design.

As the title suggests, the course aims to explore some of the key definitions, concepts and frameworks shaping approaches to effective blended and hybrid learning design as well as inviting you to create your own blended/hybrid learning exemplar and share it with others on the course. By so doing, I hope to provide you with a body of knowledge and skills that will stand you in good stead, especially if you already work in Higher Education or are actively considering an academic career.

One of the aspects of this course that distinguishes it from other blended and hybrid learning training courses is the extent to which it weaves in cultural references to teaching and technology from literature, film and other forms of cultural production. As explained in the introduction, the main aim is to enliven concepts and to make the text more engaging to read. It’s also to demonstrate the importance of treating the online context as a rhetorical space that can be used to ‘persuade’ learners to engage with content, tasks and activities that are effective for learning. This is a topic we will return to later in the course.