Tracey Pritchard

Students' Perceptions of the Hybrid Learning Structure: an Exploratory Study Tracey Pritchard

The trend in universities is moving from the traditional lecture hall to the halls of the World Wide Web, where students are experiencing a new kind of classroom; one that is exciting, fast-paced, and full of rich cultural experiences as they sit, "virtually", among classmates from all around the globe. This study focuses on graduate and undergraduate students' perceptions of the hybrid course format which is a blended course structure encompassing both traditional and online practices. Soliciting the opinions of students' aide institutional leaders in determining areas in which they can improve, strengthen, and grow university programs. In a world where technology is advancing at breakneck speeds and is an integral part of everyday life, online learning is being embraced by students. Consequently, educational institutions must recognize student demands for innovative and effective course delivery that meets not only institutional objectives, but also meets the needs of the student body. The university that considers diversity in learning, supports learning opportunities that are innovated, flexible, interacting, and engaging, and is committed to ongoing program evaluation will see an increase in student satisfaction, thus resulting in successful program development and growth. Whether institutions are interested in creating new learning experiences, increasing access and convenience, or reducing costs, research indicates that providing the option of various online course formats is necessary to remain competitive in a global market.