Blended learning (also known as hybrid learning) is often described as the “best of both worlds” because it combines the affordances of both face-to-face and online learning. Good blended courses don’t just happen by default--many factors contribute to the success or limitations of fledgling blended courses and programs. Find out more at this April 16^th workshop: http://www.nercomp.org/events/event_single.aspx?id=1769.

Faculty are familiar with teaching in classrooms, but put them in a virtual classroom and they are often lost and unsure of how to proceed. The planning required to offer a quality online course is new to many faculty, as well as all of the delivery, communication, collaboration, assessment, and class management issues they will encounter. How can we prepare faculty to teach an online course? What are the obstacles to getting faculty to participate in preparation programs and how can they be overcome?