Embracing the New Normal with Hybrid Learning

Embracing the New Normal with Hybrid Learning

The National Bureau of Economic Research conducted a research study in 2017 to verify the performance of students who undertook blended or hybrid learning — where online learning is supplemented by conventional instruction. According to the study, students who were educated through hybrid learning models performed better than those who learnt through traditional classroom education.

While hybrid learning was already available and effective for students, schools and universities didn’t have a compelling reason to embrace it until the novel Coronavirus came along. The pandemic has enforced lockdowns and led to the closure of educational institutions all over the world. As such, parents, teachers, and students have been adversely affected because students and teachers now have to adapt to a new style of teaching and learning, while parents have had to welcome additional responsibilities to ensure that their children continue learning without a break.

New school year, new challenges to face

The new school year is underway for most kids in the Northern Hemisphere, but this year is very different from its precedents. It’s the first time that kids are going back to school without actually going back to school. Anxiety levels are high as educators, parents, and public health officials strive to strike a balance between ensuring that children continue with their education, and containing the spread of COVID-19.

While the health of their students has to be prioritized, schools have also been working on learning models to ensure that education continues to be provided to them even in the midst of a pandemic. Three-fourths of the 50 largest school districts in the United States have seen the new school year start remotely due to the continued rise in infections. As such, online learning is the only option for most students, and schools have already adapted their curriculums to make room for digital and hybrid learning.

What exactly is hybrid learning?

Hybrid learning combines experiential learning goals with conventional classroom experiences as well as online learning methods before using the most effective option for each educational goal. As such, hybrid learning varies significantly depending on the subject and the requirements of the learners.

Designing a hybrid course can be a tedious process as it requires the inputs of various professionals if it is to be delivered effectively. It has to contain the best practices used in its previous designs, while making room to address the individual requirements of learners. For instance, while it is easier to teach certain skills in a lab setting by providing hands-on experience to students, some students may not be able to access the same due to scheduling concerns or geographic limitations. The designer of a hybrid learning course will have to take into account these factors and others when creating the course.

Is hybrid learning the best option during COVID-19?

Since hybrid learning combines traditional learning with online instruction, it is considered the way forward, at least until a vaccine is found for COVID-19. In hybrid learning, students can learn theoretical subjects from home and go to school for practical subjects that require them to use a lab or any other facility. Given the lockdown restrictions and social distancing protocols that must be followed during these times, the number of students who are allowed into school will be limited. While some educational institutions opt for a 90/10 model where 90% of the course is completed online and 10% from a brick-and-mortar institution, other go for a 70/30 or 50/50 model depending on the requirements of the learners. Either way, hybrid learning models ensure that students have the best learning experience while practising social distancing.

With students being forced to make the transition to online learning due to COVID-19, hybrid learning models are gaining traction as the weeks pass. Students prefer hybrid learning as it allows them to learn the easier subjects from the comfort and safety of their homes, while learning core subjects and tougher concepts from school. If you are looking to supplement your child’s school education with an online learning course, be sure to check eTutorWorld’s online tutoring services.