Amid Pandemic and multiple waves and with uncertainty on the future prospects, Institutions accross India are forced to move towards online teaching. And we are sure that the Hybrid mode of teaching are going to stay in coming future. Many campuses in India are still conspicuous of the process in terms of learning effectiveness, but there are many advantages which can be a blessing in disguise for campuses.
The teaching landscape is rapidly changing, the technological rise of the 21st-century and widespread integration of those technologies into our society, and with 87% of villages today in India have internet access integrally changed teaching in just a few years.
The rapidly changing landscapes due to COVID and adoptation of Internet and Smartphones by Faculties and Students, should be a marker to show that teaching methods need to evolve to keep up with the times and incorporate integrated technologies into the learning modal, these technologies aren’t going to go away, they’ll continue to be integrated into our society and it’s time to embrace them for the advantages they bring.
In recent years, it has been harder and harder to educate students in the age of social media. Gone are the days when students would be docile and compliant while sitting and listening to a teacher lecture for an hour. How do teachers in the classrooms compete with upbeat music, realistic photos, flashy videos, and friends there to like and share content with all from the palm of students’ hands? How do you harness these features and bring all of this to the classroom? The answer is Hybrid Learning: Hybrid Learning is a mixture of learning methods that incorporate multiple teaching modals–most frequently eLearning and traditional face-to-face learning.
What is Hybrid learning? Hybrid learning is modality of teaching where students learn via electronic and online media as well as traditional face-to-face teaching.
Combines face-to-face instruction and online instruction.
Lends itself more to asynchronous learning.
Students attend a partial schedule of face-to-face classes viz. synchronous learning
Technology is used to deliver additional content, facilitate learning activities, communicate with students, house resources and learning materials, and serve as a portal for receiving and returning assignments.
The online learning is done at the time, place, and pace of student’s choosing. viz. asynchronous learning
5 Types of Hybrid Learning Models
Here are the five most common types of Hybrid learning frameworks:
1. Flipped Model
In a flipped classroom Hybrid learning model, the original learning framework gets inverted. Instead of learners attending a face-to-face training session followed by some online self-paced learning, this model puts the focus on online learning. Learners consume the prescribed content on their own time – either at home or before the class – and in-class time is devoted to active learning and applying your newly learned skills. This can be done in the form of discussions, case studies, or group projects.
2. Face-to-Face Driver Model
The face-to-face driver Hybrid learning model is the closest to traditional classroom training, as most of the training takes place in a classroom setting under the guidance of an instructor. This approach offers individual, personalized support to learners who are struggling to grab the new concepts or are falling behind the training curriculum.
3. Rotational Model
In the rotational Hybrid learning model, learners are expected to follow a fixed schedule and rotate through both self-paced online learning and face-to-face interaction. The schedules are fixed but flexible.
Including different training methods allows learners to practice what they have learned, filling any learning gaps. This makes tracking training progress easier, since learners are following a fixed schedule.
4. Flex Model
The flex Hybrid learning model gives learners a flexible and personalized learning experience that is specifically tailored to their needs. This model allows online learning to take the lead as the core transmitter of the material in the overall learning experience while instructors provide needed support in small-group settings. Flex models allow students to customize the paths and the schedules followed throughout the learning process.
5. Enriched Virtual Model
The enriched virtual Hybrid learning model is very similar to the flex model with online training as its major component. This model has become increasingly popular in this era of remote work. However, unlike the flex model, learners must go through a scheduled Instructor-led classroom session, either in physical or virtual classrooms. This model enriches the remote learning experience by enabling learner-instructor interaction through online platforms.
Why Is Hybrid Learning Important?
Hybrid learning is important because it breaks down the traditional walls of teaching, ones that don’t work for all students and now with access to present-day technologies and resources we can tailor the learning experience for each student. Hybrid learning also offers flexible time frames that can be personalized to each person, offering them the ability to learn at their own pace.
Whats in it for School or College Management?
Teaching is less expensive to deliver, more affordable, and saves time.
Blended learning offers flexibility in terms of availability. In other words, Hybrid learning enables the student to access the materials from anywhere at any time while enjoying the benefits of face-to-face support and instruction.
Access to global resources and materials that meet the students’ level of knowledge and interest.
Self-pacing for slow or quick learners reduces stress, increases satisfaction, and information retention.
E-learning allows more effective interactions between the learners and their instructors through the use of emails, discussion boards and chat room.
Students have the ability to track their progress.
Students can also learn through a variety of activities that apply to many different learning styles.
E-learning could improve the quality of teaching and learning as it supports face-to-face teaching approaches.
Advantages of Hybird Model of Teaching and Learning Models:
Increase student interest: when technology is integrated into school lessons, learners are more likely to be interested in, focused on, and excited about the subjects they are studying. Subjects that might be monotonous for some – like math and science, while also increasing information retention.
Keep students focused for longer: The use of computers to look up information & data is a tremendous lifesaver, combined with access to resources such as the internet to conduct research. This engagement and interaction with the resources keeps students focused for longer periods then they would be with books or paper resources, this engagement also helps develop learning through exploration and research.
Provides student autonomy: The use of eLearning materials increases a student’s ability to set appropriate learning goals and take charge of his or her own learning, which develops an ability that will be translatable across all subjects.
Instill a disposition of self-advocacy: Students become self-driven and responsible, tracking their individual achievements, which helps develop the ability to find the resources or get the help they need, self-advocating so they can reach their goals.
Promote student ownership: Hybrid learning instills a sense of ‘student ownership over learning’ which can be a powerful force propelling the learning, It’s this feeling of responsibility that helps the feeling of ownership.
Allow instant diagnostic information and student feedback: The ability to rapidly analyze, review and give feedback to student work, gives the teacher the ability to tailor his teaching methods and feedback for each student while improving time efficiency.
Enables students to learn at their own pace: Due to the flexibility of Hybrid learning and the ability to access internet resources allows students to learn at their own pace, meaning a teacher can help speed up the learning process or give more advanced resources if necessary.
Prepares students for the future: Hybrid learning offers a multitude of real-world skills, that directly translate into life skills, from:
Research skills
Self-learning
Self-engagement
Helps to develop a ‘self-driving force’
Better decision making
Offers a larger sense of responsibility
Computer literacy
Like many educators, I witnessed the world of massive use of virtual learning due to COVID-19 school closures. While some teachers have spent years immersed in the world of technology, many of us were adjusting to sitting behind a screen and figuring out how to best translate the benefits of in-person learning to the virtual world and how to use technology-supported instruction to enhance student learning.
This framework is not for everyone. Teachers and administrators have to be willing to be flexible and be vulnerable enough to admit mistakes and not take it personally when an idea is not successful. Re-engaging students back into school does not lend itself to following a prescribed pacing guide or teacher’s manual. This framework requires lots and lots of planning, reflection, and sometimes revising on the spot. Did I mention that this framework requires flexibility? Every new group of students will have a new set of needs and interests. To be student-centered, culturally responsive, and tailored to student interests, this framework has to be flexible.
All students no matter their age learn differently and teaching methods should reflect this, by designing teaching programs in a way that reaches visual, auditory, and kinetic learners alike. With the heavy integration of technologies, we’ll be able to improve teaching, information retention, engagement, responsibility, and enjoyment. Students never outgrow their learning styles, meaning Hybrid learning is more important than ever, no matter what the industry is, from schools to corporations, from all walks of life.
References: edweek.org | teachthought.com | nea.org | raiseyourhandtexas.org
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