Hybrid Developmental Writing Courses: Limitations and Alternatives

The limitations of online courses have lead many instructors and researchers to embrace hybrid courses as a promising alternative. However, little research is available demonstrating how hybrids solve the problems of online delivery, such as technology access and support, technology skills, poor reading skills, and poor student skills—problems which are carried over into the hybrid course through online activities comprising up to 80% of the coursework. Due to this lack of research and data, the suggested course of action is one of caution and additional research. This paper presents an investigation of each problem for developmental writers, the possible limitations or benefits of hybrid delivery, and face-to-face alternatives.