Institute/Session Summary:

This presentation will show how the presenters designed and implemented a hybrid course that combined a composition course with a first-year seminar for developmental students. The presenters will detail the positives and negatives of such a combination. The purpose is for the intended audience of both new and experienced developmental educators to get an idea of some ways such a course could work at their institution.

First, the presenters will review the research on this issue, explaining how such research became the cornerstone—-and the selling point—-for the combined course. Second, the presenters will examine the political forces on campus that worked both for and against such a combination. In spite of their demonstrated effectiveness, first-year seminars can generate a great deal of resistance on many campuses. Opponents will often level the accusation that such courses water down the curriculum. The presenters will detail how they faced such opposition, how they addressed it, and how the combination course was ultimately a useful tool in defusing it.

Finally, the presenters will examine an actual course offered with such a combination. The examination of the course will focus on the design, materials used (including numerous handouts to attendees), and student feedback in the form of both qualitative and quantitative survey results. The presenters will invite feedback from the attendees as well. The last part of the presentation will involve an open discussion with attendees which will actively invite their participation so that other ideas on this topic can be shared with both the presenters and with the audience as a whole. The presenters will reserve at least ten minutes so audience members have sufficient time to participate. Audience members will be provided handouts throughout the presentation and will be encouraged to share thoughts or ask questions at any time.

Learning Outcomes:

The presenters intend for audience members to have the following learning outcomes from this presentation:

1. Audience members will have a better understanding of how hybrid courses can be created, including an understanding of both the theoretical and political aspects of such a creation.
2. Audience members will see and understand how such courses affect students.
3. Audience members will have a chance to see data on student performance in a hybrid course.
4. Audience members will have the opportunity to discuss and gain new ideas about the potential for such courses.

Presenter1 Name: Thomas Stewart
Presenter1 Institution: Kutztown University
Presenter1 Bio: Dr. Tom Stewart is Professor of Academic Enrichment and Director of Tutoring Services at Kutztown University.  He also runs the Summer Start Program, which serves as preparation for incoming developmental students, and has worked on numerous grant programs in the Philadelphia School District that have aimed to better prepare students for college.  He has presented before at CRLA on issues related to tutoring and the first-year experience for developmental students.

Presenter2 Name: Mary Stewart
Presenter2 Institution: Shippensburg University
Presenter2 Bio: Dr. Mary Stewart is Professor and Chair of English at Shippensburg University.  She specializes in composition and American Literature.  She has taught composition to developmental students for a number of years with Shippensburg University's Act 101 Program, and she has been actively involved in Shippensburg's minority scholars program.