Comparing Student Performance, Attitudes And Preferences In An Introduction To Business Course: Online, Hybrid And Traditional Delivery Methods Who Makes The A Grade?

Abstract

The present study compares three Introduction to Business courses delivered using three different teaching formats; online, hybrid and traditional methods. Findings indicate that while the traditional course received higher ratings by students, hybrid students outperformed students in the online and traditional course (n = 56). Thirty-five percent of the students in the hybrid course earned an A compared to 23 percent of the traditional students, while only 7 percent of the students enrolled in the online course completed the course with an A grade. Student attitudes also indicate once a student experiences a hybrid model course, there is strong preference for this type of delivery method. Although 85 percent of the students enrolled in the hybrid course had never enrolled in a distance learning course, 73 percent selected the hybrid format as their preference of delivery method. Strong support exists indicating that hybrid courses that are well designed create an atmosphere that increase student learning. Moreover, once students have a good hybrid experience, they are more likely to prefer courses designed as hybrids.