Sociology hybrid nominated for award

Sociology professors Ike Eberstein and John Reynolds recently learned that their hybrid “Introduction to Sociology” course has been nominated for a Blackboard Greenhouse Exemplary Course award. These awards provide incentives and resources for faculty who use e-Learning technology effectively. The program is designed for faculty and supporting staff who develop technologically rich and pedagogically sound courses. The Exemplary Course award winners will be chosen by late May.

The Sociology hybrid project at FSU had three goals:

1. Improve student learning with an emphasis on “doing” sociology – including decision cases, hands-on data analysis projects, and discussion boards.
2. Combine the best of face-to-face and online methods, such as:
• increasing interaction during lectures with a personal response system (“clickers”)
• engaging students with current issues through audio, video, and timely supplemental readings
• emphasizing basic concepts through weekly online quizzes and periodic exam reviews.
3. Enhance the efficiency (in terms of direct and personnel costs) of departmental course scheduling.

The restructuring replaced half the traditional classroom time with online learning activities. Organizationally, the typical Tuesday-Thursday class was separated into two sections, one meeting in class on Tuesday and the other on Thursday. These classes were integrated organizationally, and students in both sections shared a Blackboard site and completed online activities in virtual groups.

The restructuring has already met its learning goals, with most students reporting that they learned “some” or “a lot” from the online activities – their favorite being the online video and audio news reports of current issues related to course topics.  Students also report improvement in their quantitative skills. And there has been payoff for the instructors as well; "Philosophically, from a better teaching point of view I think this has helped me out tremendously," reports Dr. Eberstein.

The Center for Teaching and Learning can provide assistance with developing hybrid courses, helping departments and faculty to achieve teaching goals, and providing customized workshops to help establish effective instructional strategies and technologies.

• Develop an Online or Hybrid Course/Degree Program
  APPS-CTL provides direct funding support to departments and faculty who wish to make their academic programs and courses available to students who are pursuing higher education in an online environment.


• Modify Your Teaching Approach
  Meet with a Teaching Enhancement Associate, write a teaching improvement plan, analyze your course evaluation reports (SPOT scores), request a mid-term evaluation, or improve your teaching with feedback.


• Meet with CTL Staff
  CTL staff help prepare faculty and teaching assistants to meet emerging demands in higher education through appropriate use of instructional technology and course design.