A case study on a hybrid class

Abstract

This article reports on a case study of teaching hybrid classes at a Japanese university, using online tasks in a face-to-face classroom. This research was carried out during the second semester in the academic year of 2022, when the impact of a highly transmissible infectious epidemic was still pervasive. The hybrid class was set, drawing on the instructorʼs knowledge gained from teaching online classes over the past few years. To see whether this hybrid teaching method meets the requirement set by the university, and also to understand the studentsʼ experience and thoughts towards this method, this article analyzes the results of a questionnaire the university provided at the end of the second term. This analysis will reflect upon such issues as the effectiveness of hybrid classes and the use of technology. As will be shown, it was found that this hybrid style English class fulfilled the institutional requirements for compulsory courses. Moreover, it could be said that hybrid teaching - using computers and online tasks in a face-to-face classroom - is an effective means for encouraging students to work in the classroom.