In an ever-changing technological world, universities are doing their part to keep up. Online and hybrid classes are becoming popular at The University of Mississippi, making classes more flexible for students and their schedules.
Since 2001, Ole Miss has offered online classes as a convenience to students.
However, Director of Online Design and E-Learning Anne Klingen observes that online classes will likely not replace traditional instruction in the near future.
“I can say categorically for an undergraduate experience it will never be a hundred percent online,” Klingen said. “That is not what Ole Miss is about.”
Klingen said students enrolled in online classes pay full tuition for credit hours and are held to the same degree requirements as those enrolled in classroom instruction.
Klingen points to the success of hybrid classes currently offered by the university as indicative of the future of higher education.
“Some call hybrid classes ‘flipped classes,’” Klingen said. “Instead of doing your homework outside of class, you do it in class.”
Klingen admits, however, that technological instruction separate from the traditional classroom environment may not be for everyone.
“The other thing we have learned from studies and from working with people is that it’s really not a great idea for freshmen and sophomores,” Klingen said. “Mostly from what I’ve read in the research is because they do need that more structured environment. If they are given too much freedom, they don’t do well and that’s not our purpose.”
Sophomore speech pathology major Martha Guariglia enjoys her hybrid classes.
“I like my hybrid class because you still have the responsibility of going to class, but you can complete your homework on your own time,” Guariglia said. “It allows your schedule to be more flexible.”
