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Provost Pushes Creation Of New 'Blended' Classes

February 25, 2011 College of Arts and Humanities

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ARHU could host new hybrid classes combining humanities and technological innovation. By Leah Villanueva

ARHU could host new hybrid classes combining humanities and technological innovation. By Leah Villanueva

ARHU could host new hybrid classes combining humanities and technological innovation.By Leah Villanueva, Diamondback

As one of his final acts as university provost, Nariman Farvardin has called on professors to develop new hybrid courses that aim to spice up traditional lecture classes with a dash of creativity and technological innovation.
 

Known as "blended learning courses," these new classes seek to combine the face-to-face, in-classroom experience with online interactions between faculty and students. By utilizing information technology tools — such as simulations, visualizations and interactive media — officials said the concept will evolve and enhance large lecture-style classes with low success rates. 

His office sent out a campus-wide proposal for such courses, which will receive $25,000 to $100,000 in funding. And although many acknowledged that these technology-heavy courses could cater to the hard science disciplines, officials said humanities courses are readily embracing innovative teaching techniques.

"If we can use technology to improve the student success rate and the student learning experience in these important courses, you can have a profound impact on this university," said Farvardin, who will be leaving this university at the end of the month to assume the presidency of Stevens Institute of Technology.

Arts and humanities college Dean James Harris said technology is alive and well in humanities courses, noting the establishment of 10 online classes over winter break.