Workshop Overview

• by thinking about what others have been learning about  hybrid courses,
• by experiencing learning with technology so that we can draw from our own learning experiences as we build online components into our onsite courses,
• by identifying pedagogy compatible with hybridization of course outcomes,
• by constructing an action plan for hybridizing a course.

This workshop experience will be successful if you leave with

• tools to assess your own and students' readiness for e-learning
• an understanding of the range of characteristics associated with  hybrid courses
• new or refined skills in navigating an online learning environment and in using the WebBoard discussion tool
• an expanded list of ways to enhance the onsite learning environment with online earning modules, discussion, and interactive group processes
• a commitment to be involved with the hybrid cohort group and its  support of hybrid course development across your campus
• a plan to build, assess, reflect, and refine a developed hybrid course
• ideas to apply within your courses that support students becoming learners who flexibly adapt to a variety of learning environments

• I'm Marcia Suter and the facilitator of this workshop.  For those of you who might not know me, I've called Chemeketa my home since the '70s when I began work as an adjunct English instructor.  By '81, I had joined the English program as a full-time, continuing instructor. Over the years, I strayed from my program "home" a bit, teaching also in the education and speech programs, and playing out program chair roles for English, education, and speech at various points. 
  
  In 1995, I participated in the first Summer Institute and was hooked by the promise of online technologies.  Since that time, I've developed, co-developed, and  taught a substantial number of online courses.  I also completed a Ph. D. program, with an emphasis on Online Teaching and Learning, at Capella University, walking in the bunny slippers of an online learner.  Today my position at CCC is to support  staff's professional development in the use of technology to enhance the learning experience of students.
   
• With luck, we'll be joined by Mike McNicholas, my side-kick, from the Tech Hub.  He too has a lengthy tenure here at Chemeketa. And even though you can't tell from his behavior, Mike is presently retired.  Given Mike's lengthy tenure and popularity as a science instructor and program PC, I'd be surprised if you hadn't heard about him.  Many of us knew about him before we knew him!  Today ol' timers will remember him as the Expresso Man and the Brew Man.  [You'll have to ask him--I won't tell.  Invite the beverage guy out for a glass of wine or a Starbuck's java to hear his wild tales.]
  
  Fortunately for us, he has refused to let retirement keep him away from Chemeketa, so you will find him minimally three days a week hunched in front of a computer in the HUB, a phone in hand, a few 50s tunes wafting from his console, and WebCT designer options open on his screen. 
  
  About five years ago, Mike joined the online support staff, and with the introduction of WebCT, a few versions ago, has become the resident WebCT advocate and guru!  He is a man who enjoys cutting the knots and picking apart the snarled necklace chains of our courseware tool. 

[Note: As you complete the Activity 1 in  the workshop materials, your names and emails will appear on the discussion WebBoard, so  you can easily connect one another during and after the workshop.]

I know you will enjoy getting to meet those new to you and connecting with those you already know.  By coming together around the notion of establishing a hybrid track of instruction, we have the opportunity to shape an important learning choice for students!  So glad you have chosen to join in!