What is hybrid teaching?
An innovative blend in the education industry; hybrid learning/ teaching is a method where online teaching is combined with the traditional in-person classroom setting. In other, simpler terms, it can be explained as classes being held simultaneously in both offline and online modes. It’s a method that allows a student to choose whether they would like to attend classes in person or virtually.
What makes it popular?
It is no secret how much of an impact technology has had on the educational industry. Certain crucial turns or developments wouldn’t have been possible without it, especially during the pandemic.
However, even before it, most had started to gravitate towards the idea of the digital shift, the rise, and acceptance of online teaching apps being one of the examples. And the present Indian budget leaning towards the advancement of online education also points that this isn’t a seasonal wave.
Having said this, a whopping 98.2% of students across India prefer online classes (source- Edexlive). But the fear of a few students and parents alike is holding them back from going back offline. And this is exactly where such a mixture of digital and on-campus education comes into the picture.
As Surabhi Goel, CEO, Aditya Birla Education Academy rightly said “the budget has laid emphasis on the importance of continuing to train teachers to improve hybrid learning outcomes especially since students have faced huge learning gaps due to the pandemic”.
But along with the reasons like bridging and fear, some other advantages that have caused the lean towards this change are:
- Flexibility – you can choose your desired mode.
- Easy access to study material – soft-copies are more easily available and cost-effective than hard-copies.
- Variability – availability of infographics, readable texts, videos, and more, to learn from.
- Works for diverse learning styles – some are more comfortable with the technology and do prefer to learn that way.
- Increased reach – it’s no secret that the digital world has broken geographical barriers. A school in the urban areas can now also reach the students in the rural areas, moreover, it could also be in any time-zone.
- Introduction to the new norm – the digital shift is long-anticipated and this is the right start to it. As the stats show that from 2020 to 2025 the online learning market will increase by 200%.
What are some of the teaching strategies?
In this case too, you could incorporate all the same strategies that you otherwise used, for instance:
Direct instruction – With a computer, and webcam, you can just as simply carry forward the most-common teacher-centered teaching method.
Game-based learning – In this case, students’ critical thinking is tested via games. This can also be done with the many online games available. Just make sure to choose the right kind.
Service-learning – This is when you encourage them to volunteer for good and learn empathy. While this is anyway done outside class, you can also help enroll them in online volunteering programs.
Think pair share – Combine them in groups and have them interact and work on assignments together. You could combine one student from each set.
Two-minute presentations – Put everyone else on mute and pin the presenter.
What tools could you use?
The offline mode requires a well-lit and ventilated classroom, with basic infrastructure, like tables, chairs, blackboard, and projector to name a few.
While for the online classes, you would need a good internet connection, proper lighting, a well-functioning computer, a webcam, and an application to effectively host live classes. SaaS platforms like Winuall come in handy here as they give tutors and coaching institutes a ready-to-use, all-in-one online teaching app and website in their brand name.
This befitting app for the classroom helps them conduct live classes with ease, develop courses, and provide a store for the same. Also helps manage batches, attendance, quizzes, fee, and communication with parents.
It is here to stay!
The stats and advantages, and the flexibility that it brings along points’ at it. 76% surveyed believe that it is beneficial and is expected to give the best of both worlds to teachers, students, and the institutes. 59% of teachers say that students are more motivated in this setting. And with the potential it holds to be able to help many more, it sure seems like a blessing in disguise.
The past 2 years have anyhow proved to us that technology is more of a necessity than a luxury, and the teachers too have found a way to become savvy with its use. The only challenge is to hit the right chord with the change, and to help you with it, here are a few tips:
- Plan your course, but don’t fear to adapt and design
- Integrate the online and offline
- Provide mobile access
- Don’t overload with online assignments
- Embrace the change and be open to feedback.
Lastly, remember that it’s a continuous process of adapting and learning for both students and teachers, and one must learn and teach one another along the way. And as a teacher, all you have to focus on is to be impartial and help both groups equally well!
