Students interested in completing courses while spending less time on campus could benefit from enrolling in one of Lone Star College-Montgomery’s ‘hybrid’ courses, which are scheduled with less ‘in-class’ time and more online instruction than a traditional college course. This fall, LSC-Montgomery offers more than 20 hybrid courses in 12 different areas of study.
“Hybrid classes do require some class attendance, but at less hours per week than a traditional course,” explained Linda Woodward, art and humanities department chair at LSC-Montgomery. “It is not less work, but it does allow more flexibility for the busy student.”
These courses use a mixture--or hybrid--of distance learning and face-to-face instructional techniques. With half--or more--of the class work completed online, students can work at a schedule suitable for them. Then, during the scheduled class time, instructors are available in-person for questions, further explanation, experiential learning, and in-depth discussion.
Barbara Eckenfels, counselor and instructor at LSC-Montgomery, said a hybrid course is conducive for students who want to be on campus, but for whatever reason, can only be on campus for a small amount of time.
“Non-traditional students such as those with children or those who work might find that a hybrid class is right for them. Even introverted students can take hybrid courses to help adjust to a classroom setting,” said Eckenfels.
Because of the reduced barrier of time and place, hybrid classes may also allow students to take more courses in the semester, while spending less time on campus.
“Students can greatly benefit by enrolling in a hybrid course, as they offer students the best of both worlds: face-to-face time with the instructor and media-enhanced, online learning,” said Woodward.
This fall, LSC-Montgomery offers the following hybrid courses:
Accounting 1303 (Introduction to Accounting I)
Accounting 2309 (Cost Accounting)
Art 1303 (Art History Survey I)
Art 1316 (Drawing I)
Art 1317 (Drawing II)
Computer Information Technology 1437 (Programming Fundamentals II)
Computer Information Technology 1401 (Introduction to Computers)
Education 1300 (Learning Framework)
Human Services 1323 (The Exceptional Person)
Human Services 1353 (Family Intervention Strategies)
Humanities 1301 (Prehistory to Gothic)
Kinesiology 1111 (Fitness for Life I)
Kinesiology 1112 (Weight Training I)
Kinesiology 2111 (Fitness for Life II)
Kinesiology 2112 (Weight Training II)
Professional Office Technology 1329 (Beginning Keyboarding)
Psychology 2301 (General Psychology)
Speech 1315 (Public Speaking)
Speech 1318 (Interpersonal Communication)
Visual Communication 1301 (Introduction to Multimedia)
Visual Communication 1316 (Web Design I)
For more information on all the hybrid courses offered this fall, including class times and dates, please visit http://www.LoneStar.edu/online-courses-offered.htm. The fall 2009 semester begins Monday, August 24, and the last day to register is Saturday, August 22. In-person registration and advising is available Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Beginning Saturday, August 15, the hours will be extended to Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; and Saturday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For more information on course registration for the fall 2009 semester, visit www.LoneStar.edu/registration.
LSC-Montgomery is located at 3200 College Park Drive, one-half mile west of Interstate 45, between Conroe and The Woodlands. For more information about the college, call (936) 273-7000, or visit www.LoneStar.edu/montgomery.
Lone Star College System consists of five colleges, including CyFair, Kingwood, Montgomery, North Harris, and Tomball, six centers and Lone Star College-University Center. With over 51,000 students, it is the largest college system in the Houston area and the third largest community college district in Texas. To learn more, visit www.LoneStar.edu.