Hybrid learning is now an inherent part of the workplace nowadays. The need for such training was felt due to the pandemic.Schools all over the world have shifted to this way of teaching. It’s beneficial because students cannot be in class because of the imposition of a lockdown in their area.

Hybrid learning happens when two categories of students need to attend class together, but it can’t happen because someone does not have time to be in class physically.

Hence, in a hybrid learning class, some students are present in person, whereas others attend it online. Therefore, hybrid learning uses video conferencing technology to teach the students remotely.

There are a lot of advantages of this kind of learning which are:

1. Better way of learning:

Schools all over the world have shifted to this way of teaching. It’s beneficial because students cannot be in class because of the imposition of a lockdown in their area. But they can still have classroom experience because they can engage with their classmates and see what a challenging topic is. They can also better understand complex topics when someone present in the class asks teachers questions about them. They can talk with their classmates to have conversations and work virtually on presentations. Afterwards, when the hybrid learning session is over, the academic bonds formed are transferred online when students chat on Facebook or on discussion forums created by the authorities. It is not necessary for the teacher to give instructions to students; he gives chances for self-study by presenting the pre-recorded lectures. If any of the students present in person or virtually does not understand anything, they can ask him questions.

2. Classroom model of teaching:

In hybrid learning, online classes are more inclusive than blended learning, in which students listen to lectures or webcasts asynchronously in their homes. So, online students attend virtual classes in a hybrid model, which makes them ask questions from teachers. The students in a hybrid learning model log onto a SaaS-based model and attend classes where other students are present online or offline.

Difference between hybrid and blended learning

Blended training, however, ensures that students can either do the exercises independently from the house or study alone.

In the former situation, when students study asynchronously, they can get help from the resources posted online by the teacher on the school LMS (Learning Management System), consisting of articles, podcasts, and videos. Such resources help the students eradicate any confusion and save time for the teacher.

Students also do not have to compete like in brick-and-mortar sessions, and since they study privately have a better confidence level. In the latter case, when students attend a classroom session, they are given the assessment materials to be submitted online.

Hybrid courses do not burden the teacher because he can teach students online and in virtual classrooms. Unlike in the flipped classroom model, the classes are held with other students, so they study the material online and then come for a review session in the class. Students can also interact with teachers individually through discussions in a hybrid learning model. Although the hybrid learning model is more online than a blended learning model, it is quite advantageous compared to a completely asynchronous online learning scenario where there is no interaction between teachers and students. Hybrid learning is the best option for working students whose travelling time in attending classes is saved because they can attend them virtually. Moreover, since the classes are held online in a hybrid course, the students get the feeling of belonging to a class.

Teachers must plan more in a hybrid learning model

Planning is an integral part of the hybrid learning courses so that the teachers know for what portion of the syllabus the students need synchronous online classes and what they can resolve themselves. The teachers must hence plan for this kind of learning much before the beginning of the course, at least 3-6 months. They should go through similar courses to check if some material is suitable for face-to-face interaction or not. The teachers must consider the learning objectives, for which the students need instruction synchronously and for which they need the resource material.

There are also problems for teachers in planning students’ schedules between synchronous classes and asynchronous assessment activities. It’s because the students need to be handed down a timetable.

A lot of technology usage is involved in hybrid learning since everything happens virtually, the lessons and the assessments. The students also must be assessed for their participation in the virtual classes and their submission of assessments. So, the grade structure must be decided by the teacher accordingly.

Students also have problems navigating through technology in a virtual class and uploading assessments, and the teacher must be prepared to help them. Sometimes the e-learning module shown to students in a virtual class is inexplicable, so it is the teacher’s responsibility to adapt the instructional methodology.

Hence, hybrid learning can change the direction of education in the future where due to world environment, holding offline classes for everyone seems to be getting cumbersome.