In the midst of a pandemic, school districts have been delivering instruction in a variety of ways spanning the gamut from completely virtual to completely in-person, many are going with hybrid learning.<\/span> According to the <\/span>Center for Digital Education<\/span><\/a>, \u201c<\/span>Blended learning uses online learning resources to supplement face-to-face instruction, while hybrid learning uses online resources to replace portions of students\u2019 instruction that would otherwise be delivered face-to-face.\u201d<\/span> The primary reason schools are turning to hybrid learning during the pandemic is to lessen the number of students in the building. The school day or week can be divided into two with half the students in the building while the other half is learning online.<\/span> <\/p>\n So, hybrid learning is all good and students are up for an amazing year? While that\u2019s certainly the hope, educators need to be cautious. <\/span> The sessions that are designated for online work in a hybrid class are not merely for reviewing material \u2013 they are intentionally much more active.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n So, how should teachers use the class time? Firstly, class time needs to be used more purposefully.\u00a0<\/span>
\nAs the term implies, hybrid learning is a combination of in-class and online learning. The learning in each modality should complement the other and be part of a single structure. Although the terms hybrid learning and blended learning are used interchangeably, they are different.<\/span>
\nAccording to the Learning Technologies at College of DuPage,<\/a> the main difference between hybrid learning and blended learning, \u201cis based primarily on the proportion of face-to-face and online sessions and\/or instructional material in a given course.”<\/span>
\nIn a hybrid learning format, the two modes are evenly split while the split is more like 25\/75 (favouring online) in a blended learning model.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
\nAlthough the terms and formats may sound unfamiliar, schools have implemented hybrid learning in some form or another since the year 2000.<\/span>
\nAccording to a <\/span>2014 study<\/span><\/a> by the U.S. Department of Education, a hybrid model has<\/span> been found to be more effective at the college level than either exclusive online or face to face instruction.<\/span><\/p>\nThe Benefits of Hybrid Learning<\/b><\/h3>\n
\nWith fewer numbers of students in class, there\u2019s more of an opportunity for social distancing.\u00a0 Secondly, if an outbreak of the virus should occur, fewer people will be exposed to it.<\/span>
\nWhen schools turned to a hybrid learning model in the past, flexibility was seen as the greatest benefit. <\/span>
\nAccording to the College of DuPage, the flexibility is \u201cnot just in terms of how time is used, but for how courses are taught, how students can engage with material and demonstrate learning, and how they interact with each other and the instructor.”<\/span>
\n\u201cOne of the great things about online and blended learning is that it provides the opportunity for students to benefit from the flexibility of pace and time of when they work,\u201d said Bruce Friend, chief operating officer of the education organization Aurora Institute, in an <\/span>Education Dive<\/span><\/a> article.\u00a0<\/span>
\nBecause less students will be in the classroom, it will allow for more personalized learning. <\/span>
\nAccording to the Center for Digital Education,<\/a> \u201c<\/span>Since teachers will be working in class with only half of their students at a time, they can better focus on each student’s needs and learning goals<\/span>.”<\/span>
\nWith students receiving extra attention while in class, it can counterbalance the lesser attention they\u2019ll receive when working at home.\u00a0<\/span>
\nAnother benefit of less students in the classroom is that it allows teachers the time\/opportunity to form more meaningful connections with students. Having this connection can inspire students to work on their own when away from the classroom. On the flip side, students have an opportunity to feel a greater connection as a unit since there are fewer classmates. <\/span>
\nThis comfort level can translate to more cohesive and successful group projects.<\/span>
\nThe multiple modalities associated with hybrid learning can also appeal to a wider variety of learning styles allowing more students to be engaged in a way that best suits their strengths. <\/span>
\nStudents who may be disinterested or distracted in one modality can sense the connection between the two modalities. <\/span>
\nThis can be a source of inspiration thereby encouraging students to enhance their performance in the weaker modality. This may be why hybrid learning was shown to be more effective in the study noted above.<\/span><\/p>\nChallenges of Hybrid Learning<\/b><\/h3>\n
\nAfter all, even though hybrid learning is not new, it’s never been implemented on such a widespread basis.\u00a0<\/span>
\nTeachers will need to adjust as meshing the two different modes is complex. <\/span>
\nThe College of Dupage notes that the \u201chardest part of teaching hybrid is figuring out how to integrate the two experiences so that they capitalize on and amplify each other.”<\/span>
\nSimply doing what has always been done will not work for teachers. <\/span>
\n\u201cDon\u2019t simply take the traditional model and try to fit it into the online learning framework,\u201d cautions Modan in <\/span>Education Dive<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>
\nIn addition, it\u2019s important to recognize that class time will be limited. And whenever something is limited, it becomes more precious.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nDupage suggests using the flipped classroom model. <\/span>
\nIn this model, \u201c\u2026students review video lectures and other resources online on their own, \u2026 [and] then come to class ready to go further with what they covered.\u201d <\/span>
\nHowever, they caution that the flipped classroom model is not a completely apt comparison. <\/span>
\nIt is not a totally appropriate comparison for the potential of hybrid teaching.<\/span>
\nSome tried and true teaching strategies can be helpful. For example, teachers should consider what is the ultimate goal, what steps will be needed to get students to that point, and what activities\/lessons are more suitable for each modality.<\/span>
\nThere is no one single answer. After all, delivery of education outside the classroom will vary. <\/span>
\nSome schools and districts are expecting students to work independently outside the classroom while others expect students to be on Zoom. <\/span>
\nIf so, teachers need to be cognizant of differentiating their <\/span>content delivery and discussion methods.\u00a0<\/span>
\n\u201cOnline Learning is not differentiated unless teachers specifically utilize the various ways to provide the material,\u201d says <\/span>Heather Wolpert-Gawron<\/span> in an <\/span>Edutopia article<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span>
\nOther schools and districts will expect students to be more independent when they are outside the classroom. If this is the case, students will need to take on more responsibility for their learning. <\/span>
\nParents and guardians should be alerted of the expectations of their child so they can help ensure their student is completing the work as needed.\u00a0<\/span>
\nUltimately, determining how to structure the class and what should fill each slot is a challenge that teachers will need to greatly consider. <\/span>
\n\u201cEach class session, regardless of format, should seem like a natural fit for the medium, that what students are doing should be done in that particular format,\u201d according to the College of Dupage.<\/span>
\nFinally, teachers need to temper their expectations. From technical issues to pandemic induced COVID-19 issues, students may very well be dealing with many challenges at home. Therefore, student reaction and engagement may vary greatly depending upon the modality.\u00a0<\/span>
\nThe challenge for teachers is not just in adapting to hybrid learning\/teaching. It will be about regularly engaging and motivating students, so they can navigate through the continuing challenges brought upon by these unprecedented times.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"