Teaching an introductory programming course using hybrid e-learning approach

The usefulness of hybrid delivery in education has long been realized, and with the advancement of computer and communication technologies and the introduction of Web-based authoring tools, its effectiveness has been further extended. In this regard, it has affected traditional distance learning by transforming the learning experience from a static videotape delivery to a more dynamic format by adding/substituting the web as the delivery media. In this paper, we report our initial results based on offering an introductory computer programming course for engineers using Matlab; via hybrid e-learning including virtual face-to-face, for distance course delivery. We present the challenges that teaching a programming course brings about using a hybrid methodology with synchronous online delivery component. Details of this work, including design and delivery issues, student and course assessment, and required technology, as applied to a computer programming course, are included in the paper.