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What Is a Hybrid Course?

Hybrid classes at NOVA combine face-to-face and online instruction in one course.

In the Classroom & Online

In the Classroom

Typically, your hybrid course will meet 50 percent of the time in the classroom and 50 percent online. For example, 50 percent of the "contact hours"of a hybrid will meet in class on one of the days of a Tuesday/Thursday or Monday/Wednesday weekly class schedule.

*"Contact Hours" refers to the in-class meeting time that roughly corresponds to course credits.

Example: A 3 credit course = 3 contact hours of class time, required per week. A "regular" class will meet in the classroom Tuesday/Thursday, 8:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m., but a "hybrid" class will meet in the classroom Tuesday, 8:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. and there will be online assignments in which you will working with other students in place of meeting on Thursday. These assignments are class, not homework. You will also have homework.

Student Advice

“This class doesn't finish by the end of the class hour. The class takes all week because we have the possibility to communicate with each other by computer.”

Student working at laptop

Online

Likewise, 50 percent of the "contact hours" of a hybrid course are online through a variety of learning activities. For example, if the course meets face-to-face on Tuesday, it will not meet face-to-face on Thursday. Instead, you will be required to complete online learning activities that will be equal to the second class meeting. The online portion will be different types of online assignments and will require you to be an active learner.

Homework & Workload

Homework

Homework is additional -- a typical 3 credit course includes about 10 hours per week of homework, preparation, etc., in addition to classroom hours.

Workload

Students can expect to spend at least the same amount of time or more on a hybrid course as they would in a traditional/face-to-face course.

Student Advice

“I love it because you don't have to come to class as often. But hybrids have a bigger work load. Lot's of responsibility. Less time to learn the lecture.”

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