TYLER (KYTX) - Whether your a working mom with no time, or a student trying to save some money, UT Tyler is looking at hybrid classes that could work for you.
UT Tyler wants to let students split their time for any given class between being on campus and being at home.
Some people just don't have time to get to campus.
That can mean listening to a podcast, taking a class online or just doing assigned reading.
Administrators say it will save money for everyone.
Learning doesn't necessarily have to happen with a professor lecturing in front of you.
"Different people have different needs as far as how much face to face time they need with a professor. Me, a lot I could teach myself," says Curtis Booker, a junior at UT Tyler.
Administrators with UT Tyler hope more students feel the same way and will be on board with an up and coming pilot program called PATS, or Patriots Accessing Technology for Savings and Success.
"The idea is to make the classroom more dynamic, it doesn't fit every professor and doesn't fit every class," says Senior VP and Provost of Academic Affairs Alisa White.
White says with PATS, instructors can decide how to split home and class time.
For instance, lab work for a chemistry class must be done on campus, but a lecture could be delivered through a podcast at home or anywhere else.
The university says it can save them money because there will be less traffic on campus, students could virtually sit down anywhere and take notes or open a book.
And White says students would save too, because they wouldn't have to get in the car and drive to campus and use gas.
"Have to be really dedicated and focused to handle that in my opinion," says freshman Cheyenne Anthony, who's studying biology.
A new idea that could save time and money, if it's the right fit.
The PATS program will be sent to the UT System for approval next month.
White says the program will also serve as a study for the school to see students progress in the classes, their engagement and retention.
White says PATS would institute at least one program in each college as a hybrid program as well as many core curriculum classes to help the under classmen.
