Reasons For Considering Hybrid Learning In Schools

When the COVID-19 pandemic started, many teachers and learners engaged with online technologies for the first time. As a way to continue teaching and learning, online learning was a solution for education to continue during a challenging time.

But precisely what is hybrid learning? Are there benefits to a hybrid model that can’t be found in a face-to-face course? Read on for our complete guide to all things hybrid!

What is Hybrid Learning?

Hybrid learning is a reliable way of teaching for higher education. It blends online and in-person learning as some students watch virtually and others go to the classroom. This dynamic can evolve based on each class, making it ideal for institutes with countless classes and majors. The advantages of hybrid learning are clear.

Hybrid learning can enhance the flexibility and customisation of classes, the accessibility of learning, and the benefit of tools during courses. This experience facilitates an all-around better teaching and learning environment for teachers and students in higher education. As a learner, you may prefer to stay at home while learning or living on campus and attending in person.

Why Consider Hybrid?

There are plenty of benefits of hybrid learning, which is why it’s become such a popular method of education. These benefits include:

Better Student Engagement

Few students have grown up in an era of tablets, smartphones and other gadgets; they are likely comfortable working and learning with the help of technology. In addition, incorporating technology into the education environment allows teachers to communicate with students and share course material in a medium where students are secure and confident.

Variability for Learners

The variety of digital content in the typical online course component — video, quizzing, text and interactives — gives students much agency over their learning and enables them to engage with course material in the best ways.

Some students prefer reading text over videos. Others may first tackle the program content through self-quizzing. All are promising approaches if they contribute to education. The digital medium offers students more power over education.

Flexibility for Teachers

Educational technology extends the reach of teachers further through classroom sessions and office hours. For example, automated grading frees up time to connect with students more personally and impactfully. In addition, teachers now have access to more pedagogical tools to engage and challenge students using technology.

Personalization & Connection

With hybrid courses, students can interact with their peers outside of class hours to support and teach each other in ways all students can participate. This is a benefit for the students — it allows them to take control of their learning and let their curiosity guide them. In addition, hybrid education may help their comprehension of the material when collaborating with their peers.

Day One Access

Online materials are usually less costly than physical textbooks and are available immediately to students in the case of open educational resources. Plus, it’s a time saver because there’s an online option available if a student misses an in-class lesson. If they schedule after-hours with a teacher to catch up, they can prepare for the meeting.

Every year is different from the previous year, like 2019. So, by seeing the COVID-19 crisis, we can say that many aspects of the school are changing. However, with this crisis, schools have multiple software programmes to study online from their homes. With this, the learning management system for school is indeed another aspect of a school where that statement rings true. Your hybrid learning program’s “brick and mortar” is the learning management system. It provides the predictability that students need to feel safe. From years of research and experience, we know that students can’t learn unless they feel safe.

Hybrid learning allows changing the way we think of teaching and removing multiple barriers that have traditionally existed. It can equip students with a greater degree of freedom and flexibility to choose how to learn, but it can also extend access to education. Meanwhile, its ability to decrease absenteeism and limit the negative impact of absences can help ensure more students acquire the absolute most out of their studies.