Creating Hybrid Instruction: A Lens for Defining Exemplary Teaching in Distance Learning

The Military Career Transition Program (MCTP) at Old Dominion University (Virginia) is the primary alternative certification program for teacher licensure targeting military personnel who are transitioning into education careers. Beginning in the fall of 1998, the MCTP added distance learning to its existing course offerings at 5 of its 15 sites. These courses follow a hybrid instructional model that includes VTEL and World Wide Web assisted instruction. Broadcast instructors and instructional facilitators at each distance learning site are utilized to facilitate collaborative, problem-based learning. This paper describes the evolution of the MCTP distance learning effort and examines the progression of strategic decision making involving the issues of course integrity, exemplary instructional methodology, and student accountability. (Author/MES) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. Creating Hybrid Instruction: A Lens for Defining Exemplary Teaching in Distance Learning Alexandria Forte-Turner Military Career Transition Program, Darden College of Education, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, USA. E-mail: aforte@odu.edu Lynn Schultz Educational Curriculum and Instruction, Darden College of Education, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, USA. E-mail: llschult@odu.edu Linda Miller-Dunleavy Early Childhood/Speech and Language Pathology/Special Education, Darden College of Education, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, USA. E-mail: lmillerd@odu.edu Abstract: The Military Career Transition Program (MCTP) at Old Dominion University is the primary alternative certification program for teacher licensure targeting military personnel who are transitioning into education careers. Beginning Fall 1998, the MCTP added distance learning to its existing course offerings at five of its fifteen sites. These courses follow a hybrid instructional model, which include VTEL and web assisted instruction. Broadcast instructors and instructional facilitators at each distance learning site are utilized to facilitate collaborative; problem-based learning. This paper describes the evolution of the MCTP distance learning effort and examines the progression of strategic decision making involving the issues of course integrity, exemplary instructional methodology, and student accountability. The Military Career Transition Program (MCTP) at Old Dominion University is the primary alternative certification program for teacher licensure targeting military personnel who are transitioning into education careers. Beginning Fall 1998, the MCTP added distance learning to its existing course offerings at five of its fifteen sites. These courses follow a hybrid instructional model, which include VTEL and web assisted instruction. Broadcast instructors and instructional facilitators at each distance learning site are utilized to facilitate collaborative; problem-based learning. This paper describes the evolution of the MCTP distance learning effort and examines the progression of strategic decision making involving the issues of course integrity, exemplary instructional methodology, and student accountability.