Here or There Instruction: Lessons Learned in Implementing Innovative Approaches to Blended Synchronous Learning

Here or There (HOT) instruction is a blended synchronous approach that enables students from on-campus (“here”) or a remote location (“there”) to participate together in class activities in real time. The purpose of this article is to share three different cases at two universities that illustrate different implementations of HOT instruction, explain the affordances of these varied approaches, provide best practices that are common to each, and share lessons learned along the way. Readers will gain a better understanding of how to implement a range of innovative HOT approaches, and in what context(s) they might choose one approach over another. The authors’ experience indicates that sound pedagogical principles along with pragmatic considerations, such as class size, available technology, and instructor’s skills, should guide decisions regarding use of these blended synchronous approaches. Future research should look towards what impact blended synchronous environments have on student outcomes.