Is Hybrid Learning The Future Of Education

19th October 2021

As we are starting to unravel our life for the blast of pandemic, schools are planning to re-open slowly. But there are yet many lingering concerns of going entirely in-class. Many schools are still thinking it is ideal for now to keep a pause on total on-site teaching for the next few semesters. Nonetheless, educators are doing their best to keep up with children’s education with hybrid learning.

Hybrid learning has been an existing model of teaching over the last decades in the educational industry. Although its practice has not been so popular, schools now think it's the right time to take advantage of hybrid classes. So far over these last couple of years, we have gone through numerous trials and errors and there is still a lot to learn, but one thing for sure, hybrid model – a combination of face-to face and online classroom can help us mitigate the restriction we are facing for so long.

What Is Hybrid Learning!

In the hybrid learning approach teachers uses both classroom instruction and online instruction to aid students' learning process. Hybrid teaching is a compilation of traditional classroom and online sessions. During face-to-face interaction, students are engaged in a collaborative learning experience, and in online, the lessons can be elucidated by using technology.

Though 'blended learning' and 'hybrid learning' are often interchangeable terms, the major difference between the two is – online learning is used as a complementary mode in blended, whereas, in hybrid learning, teachings through online replaces the in-person class. Here, the online material is prepared as an alternative to in-class material to bring flexibility to the learning experience.
 

How Hybrid Learning Is Proving To A Match Of The Time!

Hybrid learning comes with a huge advantage of flexibility. It gives control to the students over the time, pace, and place of learning. With this teachers can create more meaningful learning experiences to helping students to stay connected and self-motivated.

They can enjoy both collaborative as well as personalized learning in one coherent teaching environment. Both synchronous and asynchronous learning can be practiced, plus this ensures engaging multiple learning styles which allow learners to understand the lessons in-depth.

It brings the world of opportunity to incorporate technology into the curriculum seemingly. The use of tools such as artificial intelligence and gamification are wide with hybrid learning –leads to a better and more productive learning outcome.

Additionally, hybrid learning can bring a larger group of students to come together and learn and collaborate easily. Students can take the opportunity to learn in self-paced mode to build up their understanding of the subject matter that seems tricky to them. Teachers can also utilize online materials and resources that can potentially integrate technology as a solution to uncertain times. With this, learners are more in tune with the learning process, they become self-directed learners. And thus, teachers can successfully be the facilitator of teaching and learning. An ideal role for the teacher to justify their teaching role in 21st century.

And lastly, 21st century teaching being all about meeting the needs of each learner, hybrid learning allows educators to prepare customized evaluations, additional and valuable assistance for those students who need extra care.

Hybrid learning has the potential to reach students in times of separation and it can also assure students a learning experience that is collaborative. The concept of hybrid learning is fitting expectations of the education system at many levels. By all means, we do not want to interrupt students’ education, and most of all we want to ensure the quality of teaching and learning remains the same. Hybrid classrooms certainly have the capacity to pave the path towards making it all possible with – meaningful engagement, customization, and flexibility.

Final Words

Hybrid model of learning environment can eliminate the barrier of location. Students can continue their education without any constraints. As we navigate through this tough time, innovative ideas are our only source of rescue. Given the time, this concept of learning can bring effectivity into teaching significantly. Realizing the benefits of hybrid learning will not offer a solution it can also help educators to work beyond four walls of the classroom.

Written By : Aditi Rao