Introduction
With the increase in technological developments, it has become very important to adapt to the changes and move towards a simpler and streamlined lifestyle. Technology has not only played an important role in our day-to-day lifestyle but is also making its way into transforming education. While home schools or traditional education was familiar and an obvious choice for parents, hybrid schools and blended learning are making their way into the mainstream.
From videoconferencing to Learning Management Systems (LMS), teachers, parents, and students are functioning more as a team working towards effective all-around development.
With the benefit of transferring classes online, hybrid schooling is a systematic approach to combining the best of both virtual and face-to-face connections that helps create an experience of an ideal education. Let us discuss everything you need to know about hybrid schools and their work in further detail.
What are Hybrid Schools?
Hybrid schools are educational institutions that have transformed their learning development by investing in a model where students can attend the school in person or virtually using the online platform school offers sitting at home.
The concept is a success and like blended learning where the teachers teach only online or only in person, hybrid learning also allows the teachers to accommodate students alike. The purpose is to balance the learning of students together and cater to their needs simultaneously.
As a teacher, you can decide to teach by mixing the learning models. For example, if you decide to take a lesson in person for more effectiveness, you can schedule the next class virtually or through online assignments. This concept also allows students who are not feeling well to be a part of and not miss school by joining the class virtually.
Benefits of Hybrid Schools
Hybrid learning aims at blending online and traditional education to ensure a comprehensive learning experience. Below are some of the benefits of hybrid schooling.
Flexibility and Self Discipline
Hybrid schools are beneficial for both teachers and students. Students who for any reason are not able to attend school in person can virtually join the course. The hybrid learning model helps students to be at par with the curriculum followed and remotely learn and collaborate with other students for activities and networking. Moreover, such schools help in instilling values such as self-discipline, accountability, and success control.
For teachers, hybrid schools allow them to teach at their own pace experimenting with the teaching methodology, inhibiting collaborative learning and experiential learning. Following a hybrid model allows face-to-face attendance important and precious where the focus can be on difficult topics and doubt clearance.
Synchronous Communication
Hybrid learning allows face-to-face communication and online learning which helps in synchronous communication between teachers and peers. It allows for meaningful group activities and outcomes along with better presentations and relationship building both formally and informally.
Independence and Interdependence
Hybrid schools allow students to be independent and hence the students are responsible for making sure that they attend the classes online if they are not attending school in person. Being mentally and physically present to ensure effective learning from afar is another requirement and hence the ownership of tasks, submissions and everything else lies with them.
With teachers and mentors there to guide them, allows the students to network with the students adhering to the traditional education model and build relationships outside of a formal education environment.
The teachers are also at liberty to experiment with their teaching techniques and delegate resources between students to create a more interactive environment encouraging an ownership attitude.
Resource Efficiency
With a hybrid learning environment, a teacher does not have to resort to books and syllabi only. The encouragement of independent learning and the usage of other non-traditional resources can help students have a more holistic education.
The teachers need to ensure planning while scheduling classes and keep the hybrid model in mind while deciding on classes to be in person or online giving more emphasis to online teaching as students not physically present can be at loss.
Steps for an Effective Hybrid School
To ensure that a hybrid school is a success, it is important to try teaching techniques that help you ensure effective learning.
Goal Setting
It is important to ensure that as a teacher your goals are set for the semester. These goals must be for both the class and for yourself and hence expectation setting is a must at the start of the session.
These goals must be kept in mind in the syllabus, assignments and submissions, projects and assessments to be able to measure progress and closure.
Mapping
Once the goals are set, it is important to create a schedule of the classes both online and offline, and the activities and resources in the form of charts and tables. Having a visual presentation of the semester journey allows students and teachers to determine the timeline and make amendments if needed.
Separating Classes
It is important to separate online classes from in-person classes to allow the students to understand the importance of both. Having activities or experiential learning sessions in person helps in better growth and progress. It also gives the students time to plan their travel in case they are in a different city.
Ensuring flexibility while scheduling in-person classes is important keeping the foreign students in mind.
Creating Content
Once the plan is in motion, make sure that you keep creating the content required for teaching and the notes and assignments students will need while studying.
Sharing extra links, notes, and resources for better learning will help students adapt to time and enhance their knowledge.
Conclusion
It is important to understand that a hybrid learning model needs to be updated as per class requirements and teachers’ teaching methodology. Your plan may work for a session but may or may not work for another class. Hence, experimenting with what works and having a thorough knowledge of the syllabus is important.
Suggested Read: Top Edtech Trends That Will Continue In the Coming Years
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