Our research project is designed to assess performance within the department’s digital platforms, including blogs and hybrid courses. Through this study we hope to increase general knowledge about digital collaborative learning and online publishing in the digital humanities. The project is a pilot investigation that may be helpful to researchers analyzing the experiences of those participating in hybrid course formats. We wish to speak with colleagues and students at Baruch College, CUNY to learn about the affordances and constraints of digital pedagogies for improving learning and professional goals. In addition to reviewing literature on digital pedagogies and assessing course blogs, we expect 10-15 individuals to participate in semi-structured interviews. Participation will be voluntary. Below is a sample questionnaire.

 

Hybrid Course Assessment Interview Questions

 

Co-PIs: James J. A. Blair, Jenny LeRoy, Amelia Marini

Faculty Advisors: Cheryl Smith and Lisa Blankenship

 

 

What experience have you had teaching online or hybrid courses at Baruch College and/or elsewhere at CUNY?

 

 

How do you design and manage your classroom hours and online assignments?

 

 

What online resources do you use in your classes? Blogs@Baruch? CUNY Academic Commons? Blackboard? Alternative interfaces?

 

 

Have you had students annotate texts or videos? If so, how effective is this method for students’ comprehension and/or writing?

 

 

Are all hybrid hours outside of the classroom devoted to online work, or do outside assignments utilize the other resources in the city, as well?

 

 

What is the impact of moving from full classroom hours to a hybrid format on students’ learning progress?

 

 

What kinds of administrative adaptations have occurred as a consequence of going digital (e.g. classroom space, accommodations, etc.)?

 

 

What are the advantages and disadvantages of educational technology for teaching English as a Second Language (ESL)?

 

 

What has your role been, if any, in the creation and development of Blogs@Baruch or CUNY Commons?

 

 

What is the historical significance of Blogs@Baruch, particularly as it pertains to equal opportunity efforts, such as the SEEK program?

 

 

What is the potential for Blogs@Baruch for influencing new forms of EdTech pedagogy and online publishing in the digital humanities?

 

 

How do programs such as Blogs@Baruch fit into Baruch and CUNY’s Strategic Plans?

 

 

Do you envision any other new collaborative methods of learning? How can programs like Blogs@Baruch change higher education for a better future?