Individual Logbook: Project 1

IDS 220
FUNDAMENTALS OF INNOVATION & ENTREPRENEURSHIP
ZAYED UNIVERSITY

Group topic:

"Why Does Minerva College Adopt a Hybrid Learning Model, Combining On-
Campus and Online Classes, Rather Than a Fully On-Campus System?"

Student name: Suhail majed alameri

ID: 202322549
 Project I: Design Thinking Practice
Finding the right problem

1. Initial Problem

Problem Why Does Menera College Adopt a Hybrid Learning Model, Combining On-
Campus and Online Classes, Rather Than a Fully On-Campus System?

Opportunity To find out how Menera College can continue enriching convergence course
delivery and enhance student satisfaction, learning in blended classes, and
course availability to students. It may mean expanding communication
within the online environment, improving technological platform, and
addressing the imperative of flexibility with one of structure.

2. Interviews
Shared Interview Questions:

User Group 1

Interview Questions

Q1: How is your experience of the hybrid learning model at Menera

College?

Q 2: Why do you suppose the college decided not to go with 100 percent
on campus, but rather with a hybrid model?

Q 3: What have been the greatest benefits that you have had through
hybrid learning?
Q 4 : what challenges have you dealt with with this model, and how has
that affected that learning that you’re doing or the teaching that you’re
conducting?

Q 5: How does hybrid learning affect student engagement and

interaction with faculty and peers?

Q 6: what do you think would change by far the most if Menera College
implemented a fully on campus system?

Q 7: How could the hybrid model be improved to be more successful?

Q 8: how do you personally adapt to the hybrid model and what are your
strategies of engagement?

Journey Map Focus

Experience with the problem that we want to create a journey map

for this stakeholder group:

Behaving through by understanding in what way students and faculty

navigating a hybrid learning model, interactions between students and
faculty, emotional highs and lows as well as challenges with the
transition from online to in person learning.

Journey Map Interview Questions

1. How would you walk me through a time when you found difficulties
or advantages of hybrid learning model.
2. Can you explain to me your procedures when you are setting up for
both online and on campus classes?
3. When you go between online and in person learning, what are you
thinking or feeling?
4. Can you give an indication of how your normal day would be and
how hybrid was integrated into it?
5. What is your state of mind whenever you join an online class and
what about an in-person class? How does that transition or shift
during the process of the given session?
6. What do you think is the most viable part of the concept of hybrid
learning?
7. In your own experience, what has been irritating or fulfilling within
the hybrid learning situations?
Interview 1
1. Interviewee’s name/position:

Sarah Khan, Undergraduate Student (Business Administration)

2. Preparatory Work:

 What do they do/study?

Sarah is a third year Business Administration student studying at Menera College. As
of now she is attending blended mode that is both online learning and face-to-face
learning.

 What are their likes/interests?

Self-learning and face-to-face communication suit her best: the main advantage of
online classes do not remain a mystery for her. It gave me an opportunity to get
acquainted with a lady who is interested in both entrepreneurship and technology.

 How would you describe them to someone who had never met them?
Sarah is a well-escalated and bureaucratic student who is hardly out of schedule. She is
an active participant in the group discussions and favors activities that involve group
participation.

3. Interview Consent Form:

Filled out consent form link Email or SMS documentation of consent

Hi, Sarah, thank you very much for

agreeing to do an interview with me in
regards of hybrid learning at Menera
College. Is it okay with you that I record
today’s discussion with you?”

Sarah’s response:
 "Yes, I agree to participate and have the
interview recorded."

4. Interview 1 Journey Map:

Instructions Given to Interviewee:

 I asked Sarah to create a T-shaped graph:

o Y-axis: Positive/Negative emotions
o X-axis: Timeline of her last hybrid learning experience
 She mapped out her experience, noting key points of frustration and satisfaction.
 I created a mirror journey map based on her explanation.
5. Brief Post-Interview Reflection (Can be written or a video; 150 words or
fewer or 3-5 min video):

As much as conducting the interview with Sarah was commendable, I learned some of
the following shortcomings in regard to trust and depth of responses.

I managed to build up the rapport by first breaking the ice and engaging her with
general questions about her courses and hobbies. She was not shy to express herself
even about what she felt about technical challenges in attending school, saying it was
frustrating and time consuming to be in hybrid learning. Nevertheless, she did not
want to elaborate on the difficulties that learners experience while collaborating
online; perhaps due to the stigma. In the future, I will assure interviewees that any
opinion matters in order to elicit more opinions.

That is why, the best questions involved experience for instance, ‘Can you tell me how
it was when you experienced problems with online learning?’ These generated very
elaborate responses as opposed to brief answers.

Fostering these listening skills would help me get better as in asking more empathic
probing questions, for instance, ‘How did you feel when that happened to you?’

Three Improvements for the Next Interview:

1. Start with an open-ended warm-up question to build comfort.

2. Use more empathetic follow-ups to uncover deeper emotions.
3. Clarify that interviewees' answers are confidential and judgment-free.

Interview 1 Analysis
Needs & Insights
Needs Insights
Hybrid Learning Model – A hybrid learning The issue of disrupted online classes due to
model that is reliable and flexible is what unstable internet connections and technical
students need so that they have equal glitches is currently faced by many students. "As
access to resources and are not impacted lag would have it, sometimes I can't hear the
by technical disruptions. professor, it's hard to catch up later," said Sarah.
Audience Internalises Content Better— According to Sarah, she found that online classes
Online Classes engage students less when are either isolating and less engaging or just
it comes to internalising content as motivating and participating in them is very low
compared to online sessions. compared to face to face classes.
Better Technical Support – Quick, Sometimes, however, echos do not come from the
available, and IT technical support is what professor’s lack of enthusiasm, but instead from
is needed to avoid delays in a new the professor struggling with tech and students
learner’s education. having to wait for the issues to be fixed, Sarah
said, wasting class time.
Better Course Delivery Consistency – It is Whether it is hybrid learning or not, it is difficult
important to have a well-structured to know who structures well, and who doesn’t.
process to avoid a disordered delivery of Sarah recalls saying, 'One week, we’re fully online
hybrid course. and the next week we’re in class but we don't
know what to expect.'
Better Guidance on Expectations – Failing to have clarity leads to stress and anxiety
Students require guidelines about the because students will not always know when and
working of hybrid learning and what is how to be present. “When I come in, I have to
supposed from them. look at multiple emails to confirm that I have to
come to class or log in online,” Sarah says.

Key Takeaways

1. Hybrid knowledge is appreciated for its flexibility, but unpredictable application creates
blocking.
2. Technical difficulties continue a main fence to actual learning.
3. Online appointment feels disconnected, leading to lower contribution.
4. Better communication and IT support can recover the hybrid culture involvement.

6. Hypotheses about Interview Data

Hypotheses about Interview Data

Surprising Quote, Story, or Your Hypothesis (I wonder if this means…)
Contradiction
I choose to not attend online classes Student disengagement along with motivation loss in
when I believe the learning experience online classes might result from the absence of
is ineffective. similar educational engagement and structure that
faces-to-face learning provides.
The use of multiple platforms by Students may encounter added stress because
professors leads to confusion since I hybrid learning becomes more difficult to manage
need to check which platform each class when different institutions use inconsistent
will be hosted on. technology platforms and maintain minimal
standards in their education technology system.
I find the experience of online classes The combination of hybrid learning system receives
beneficial as long as they have proper positive appreciation from students but
organization in place. Some classes feel organizational structures and educational quality
like a waste of time. determine their satisfaction levels.
My educational focus improves when I The mix of in-person learning structures with flexible
attend classroom sessions even though I online options provides students with essential
sometimes cannot reach my classes by accommodations for their daily commitments.
transport.

Key Insights from Hypotheses:

i. Online education is only operative when well-structured; then, it feels uncreative.

ii. Unpredictable knowledge and message create misperception.
iii. Scholars need a cross model, but it must be foreseeable and attractive.
iv. Flexibility is significant, but learners still desire structured, communicating learning

7. Empathy Map

Interview 1 Empathy Map

Thinks Feels
Online lessons feel less organized. Frustrated: Struggles to stay involved in online
meetings.
I wish lecturers used one organization instead Overwhelmed: Finds it solid to track class
of switching between podiums. agendas across manifold platforms.
In-person classes help me focus, but Conflicted: Appreciates on-campus learning but
commuting takes too much time. struggles with time constraints.
Occasionally, online lessons feel useless. Disconnected: Feels a lack of inspiration when
sittings are not appealing.

Says Does
I like virtual classes when they’re well- Checks multiple platforms before class to
organized. settle where it’s happening.
It’s confusing when every professor has a Messages classmates to elucidate class
different way of teaching online. details.
I wish hybrid education was more predictable. Skips online classes if they feel unstructured
or ineffective.
In-person classes keep me absorbed. Plans their schedule carefully to attend in-
person classes when possible.
Insights from the Empathy Map:

 Hybrid learning works best when it is well-structured and predictable.

 Students struggle with inconsistent platforms, leading to confusion and frustration.
 Online learning feels ineffective when engagement is low.
 Students value in-person learning but need flexibility due to time constraints.

This empathy map highlights the need for standardization in hybrid learning and a stronger
engagement strategy for online classes to ensure students stay motivated and productive.

5. Needs and Insights

Needs and Insights from Interview 1

Needs (Actions; To + Verb) Insight (Surprising Supporting Interview
motivation or reasoning Quote
behind the user's feelings,
thoughts, actions, or
behaviors)
As for the reason behind the need Many students complain of “It would be less
to merge the face-to-face with the multitasking by their confusing if each teacher
online system it will take place in professors in a way that only gave his or her own
order to have an organized and confuses them on the method of teaching
coherent mode of learning and timelines and tasks to online.”
teaching. accomplish.
To maintain alert and interested Too many sessions without “Sometimes, online
during online classes. interaction makes the classes feel pointless.”
learners feel detached, thus
making it easy for them to
drift off.
pass the exam, and get skillful self- Many a time, one may find “I only wish that my
study tools on the web. themselves moving from professors would stick to
one format to another, one system instead of
which is frustrating. juggling between those
various ones only.”
How to meet flexibility and students are benefiting from “I prefer on-campus
accountability in hybrid learning online learning due to sessions as they make me
system. flexibility and cost but at the more attentive, although
same time they lack getting to campus wastes
discipline to follow a a lot of time.”
schedule.

5. Point-of-View Statements from your interview 1:

i. This problem can be attributed to the fact that university students in the hybrid learning
system are using different platforms that are not well integrated hence making it hard
to follow up on the next step to take.
ii. Online students in online learning environments require a means through which they
remain attentive and contribute in classes because it is easy to get a feeling of
listlessness when they are not required to be involved in the class.
iii. For the students working and attending classes, there must be a proper way of
timetabling the courses since flexibility is critical but results in negligence and laziness.

POVs Checklist
● has people in it (the relevant stakeholders)
● does NOT have a solution embedded
 ● focused on a NEED (action/verb rather than a noun/solution) you identified
from your empathy work
● is designing for something rather than against it (for example: "access
healthy food options" vs "prevent people from eating fast food"

Interview 2

8. Interviewee’s name/position:

Ali Raza, Marketing Analyst

9. Preparatory Work:

 What do they do/study?

Ali Raza is operational level student, occupying a position of a marketing analyst of
an e-commerce company. Up to this point he focused on consumer behavior, digital
marketing, and tendencies of online shopping. He is a holder of Bachelor of Business
Administration specializing in marketing analysis.
 What are their likes/interests?
Ali is interested in variables that may influence the buying process of consumers. He
appreciates studying the market, trying out new possibilities of an advert and
increasing customer relations. In his spare time, he enjoys reading about
psychology-related to behavior, discovering new online shops, and watching TV
programs about technology.
 How would you describe them to someone who had never met them?
Ali is a logical and quantitative person who is fascinated in analyzing consumer
behavior based on detailed reasons. He is organized, fully asks for the reasons
behind choosing some shopping decisions, and is ready to try different approaches.
He is sociable, easy going, and likes to share examples from the real life regarding
the marketing theories.
 10.Interview Consent Form:

Filled out consent form link Email or SMS documentation of consent

Before the interview, I emailed Ali Raza

asking him to participate in my research
on “Why Menera College has adopted the
system where the college teaches both
on-campus and online classes rather than
solely on campus?” I gave information
about the study participation, the
questions and the approximate length of
the interview.

Ali Raza agreed to be interviewed by

email, he said he could do the interview
and permitted the use of voice recording
for research. In the following is the
breakdown of emails:

11.Interview 2 Journey Map:

To further grasp the situation that Ali Raza is experiencing at Menera College when it comes
to adopting the hybrid learning model, I interviewed him and asked him to complete the
journey map based on the most recent interactions he has had with the hybrid learning
model.

Step 1: Explaining the Journey Map

I informed Ali that we are going to draw a plan of a certain experience of the time when he
has faced either challenge or benefit concerning the hybrid model . The horizontal axis
refers to time while the vertical one is related to his feelings (positive/negative) at a certain
period in the journey.

Step 2: Drawing the Journey Map

In this paper, he wrote T-shape graph on the piece of paper and map his emotions in
different stages of the blended learning experience.
12.Brief Post-Interview Reflection (Can be written or a video; 150 words or
fewer or 3-5 min video):

When I was conducting the interview with Ali Raza, I found it quite interesting. I was
therefore able to establish trust and rapport with him by ensuring that he was at ease to
express himself. I began with asking open-ended questions and being attentive which
made him feel that I respect his opinion. Ali’s engagement rose when I queried him about
particular hardships, including the lack of internet connection during online classes.

The best ones were narrative-oriented such as, “Can you share an instance when you had
issues with the hybrid model?” These enabled Ali to offer concrete scenarios instead of
presenting generic ideas. He felt comfortable to express himself and elaborative
questions such as ‘How do you feel about that?’ extended the conversation.

One idea related to this was that students value choice but find it difficult to stay
interested in online lectures. At first I also presupposed that these two approaches are
nearly the same effectiveness, however this interview influenced my views.
Here are some of the ways that I will employ in future interviews:

1. Use additional analytical questions to expose deeper understandings.

 2. Take more thorough records to detention key instants.
3. Be more watchful of non-verbal cues to measure ease levels and meeting.

Interview 2 Analysis
From the interview with Ali Raza, I was able to identify important areas of need and
observations about Menera College’s hybrid learning model. , thus there should be flexibility
which is one of the reasons why the hybrid system is preferred than the online system
especially to students who travel long distances. He also noted that there were various issues
regarding engagement and motivation in online classes, which can point out an improper
application of practices of the model.

Needs Identified:
1. Enhanced Online Interaction – Students find it hard to pay attention during such classes
due to Interference and lack of interactivity.
2. Better Internet Connection – Connection problems affect participation and learning
since students improve their technologies and internet connections.
3. Lack of Live Interaction – Due to the limited physical contact, it becomes rather difficult
to ask the instructors questions on the online sessions.
4. Structured Study Plans – These outlined structures are required to be improved to
enhance the interactions between online and face to face education.

Insights Gained:

1. While the online classes are convenient, students still believe that they offer less structure
and structure compared to offline classes.
2. The distribution model is good for time management but not all the students have devices
and proper learning environment at home.
3. Notably, learning strategies are not well suited to meet student requirements especially in
online learning activities where students are on Independent learning.

These concerns may indicate that there are areas that Menera College could strengthen in
order for the hybrid model to serve as an efficient strategy in Students’ learning: these include,
improving Students’ learning experiences through digital platforms, offering adequate support
to Students, and making sure that Students have equal access to resources.

13. Hypotheses about Interview Data

Surprising Quote, Story, or Your Hypothesis Based on Quotes, Stories,

Contradiction Contradictions (I wonder if this means…)
I take online classes because of their Students appreciate online learning flexibility yet
convenient time savings yet my their poor engagement and understanding becomes
effectiveness at learning material is a barrier before traditional classroom education
better when lessons are delivered in proves its superiority for deep learning.
person.
The recorded lectures appear at twice Students seem to disengage from their virtual
the normal speed because I use this classwork probably because they treat these online
method to finish them quickly. sessions as a requirement instead of fully
participating which suggests improving teaching
engagement methods.
I really miss the campus environment Students seem to appreciate getting face-to-face
since commuting each day makes me education but need help with the challenges related
feel completely exhausted. to commuting expenses and transport logistics
because a hybrid format would address these issues
better.
I feel disconnected from both teachers Users of online learning systems may fail to meet
and classmates even when I join my their social and academic needs hence demanding
online classes. more interactive educational solutions with
community components.

Students from Menera College value online learning convenience yet they report feeling
detached while being less involved. To improve the hybrid model institutions should enhance
the engagement of online sessions along with solutions to student commuting issues and
academic discipline problems.

14.Empathy Map
4. Needs and Insights

Needs (actions; to + Insights (surprising motivation Supporting Interview Quote (Use a

verb) or reasoning behind a user’s quote from the interview to support
feelings, thoughts, actions, or your insight/need inferences)
behaviors)
Students need Students experience low focus Student practices playing recorded
increased active levels combined with reduced lectures as background noise while
participation to get motivation in their online tending to other activities. Students do
involved in their courses because they cannot not experience the authentic
online classes. interact with instructors classroom experience through this
physically nor receive fast method.
feedback.
Students need Students experience difficulty Due to the increased number of
better interactions connecting with their teachers students in each online class I feel like
with their faculty through online platforms I join as just another student who
members. resulting in obstacles for should not disturb the rest of the
 question asking and group.
clarification reception.
To balance flexibility Students value the online Even though the lack of commuting
with structure learning convenience yet they saves me time every day I frequently
desire the enforcement and miss deadlines because all work is
organization which comes with conducted online.
attending classroom sessions.
The effectiveness of The disconnected nature of The organization of online groupwork
hybrid group online group projects becomes difficult due to virtual
collaboration generates frustration among communication. When students
requires students because they interact online their responses vary in
improvement experience poor efficiency in accordance with personal timelines
collaborative work processes. and their conversations lack natural
smoothness.
A need for better Most students criticize online The experience of attending online
engaging content classes for their heavy classes mainly consists of watching
should exist in online dependence on recorded long video content similar to YouTube.
delivery. lectures and PowerPoint slides
which reduces meaningful
classroom interactions.

Key Takeaways:
1. Eventually students appreciate the hybrid format because it gives them flexibility yet they
experience low interactivity between them and their peers during virtual components.
2. Students miss the personal connection with both instructors and classmates during virtual
learning which reduces their interest in class activities.
3. The current online learning format requires improvements in educational structure through
incorporating live platform interactions and real-time professor student engagement and
active participation activities for students.

1. Point-of-View Statements from your interview 2:

2. The passive nature of pre-recorded lectures demands new methods for students to stay
focused during virtual sessions because difficulties of concentration and information
retention arise.
3. Hybrid learners require better methods of communication with their professors and peers
due to their disengagement from virtual learning environments which leads to their
reluctance to seek answers or participate in class discussions.
4. Students with time constraints require a solution which allows them to combine
independence with organized instruction since online courses provide convenience but lack
specified deadlines and result in uncompleted work.