How to Incorporate Hybrid Learning into Your Classroom

It used to be that learning was generally restricted to the classroom, but the growth of technology has drastically changed the way information can be disseminated and evaluated. Educational models must continue to evolve to meet the needs of a diverse student body, and hybrid learning is a valuable way to continue modernizing the traditional classroom. 

What is Hybrid Learning and How Does it Work?

Hybrid means combining two different elements, and for the purpose of hybrid learning, it means combining two different sets of learners. One set of learners is in the classroom as you teach, while another set of learners join remotely through video conferencing or live streaming.

Although the two sets of learners are in separate locations, they are receiving instruction simultaneously, or synchronously. Depending on the specific situation, remote learners could be in a classroom at a satellite school, or they could attend from home or any other personal location. Additionally, further assignments and instruction can be given through an online platform, where all students will then work asynchronously, or on their own, without the instructor. 

How to Incorporate Hybrid Learning into Your Classroom

There are many tools and strategies that can be used to implement a hybrid classroom environment. It's important that the instructor varies the instructional methods to meet the needs of in-person and remote students. There are many activities that are well-suited for hybrid learning, but the key is knowing when and how to incorporate the different types of instruction and activities. 

• Lectures - Entertaining and interactive lectures work well for live class time.
• Pre-Recorded Videos and Slideshows - Straightforward and informative lectures and slideshows that are not likely to elicit questions can be recorded and uploaded to your online classroom. 
• Discussions/Debates - Students should be given time in class for discussions and debates, which also gives them the opportunity to interact with all classmates. Discussion forums can be set up online so that students can continue debating after class and get feedback from each other. 
• Q&A Sessions - Allowing time for students to ask questions in class is important, but you can also set up a Q&A forum in your online classroom where students can support each other. 
• Feedback Sessions - While requesting feedback about the syllabus or class format is valuable, you do not need to use class time for this. Set up an anonymous survey, ask students to send constructive emails or request feedback during your office hours. 
• Group Work - Group work is important for helping your remote learners feel connected to other classmates. You can set up group chats or small group areas in your online classroom to accommodate group work for mixing remote and in-person students. 
• Student Presentations - You can have students present live during class time, which is a good exercise in presenting to mixed audiences. You may opt to have students upload their presentations to your online portal as well, so their peers can give feedback and constructive criticism. 
• Assignments - Most assignments can likely be assigned as asynchronous learning opportunities. Reading, written assignments, and even quizzes and exams are independent activities that do not need as much instructor involvement and oversight and do not need to take up valuable live classroom time. 

The Benefits of Hybrid Learning

There are many benefits for schools, instructors, and students when it comes to the hybrid classroom model. 

Enrollment and Class Size 

One of the biggest advantages for schools is that the physical size of a classroom is not a deciding factor for enrollment. If an instructor is capable of handling a larger class without sacrificing quality of instruction, enrollment can be increased to accommodate more learners. Satellite campuses can also capitalize on an instructor's expertise by offering hybrid classes for students at multiple locations. 

Accessibility

Hybrid learning is helpful for students who cannot attend traditional classes. Whether it is due to transportation issues, distance from the campus, or health concerns, students who need access to remote learning can take advantage of hybrid courses and still benefit from the live class component. 

Flexibility

The flexible nature of online learning makes hybrid schedules very appealing to students with demanding personal schedules. Hybrid classes also give instructors flexibility with teaching timelines, assignment variation, and communication options with students. 

The Challenges of Hybrid Learning

While there are many benefits to hybrid learning, there are some challenges that can arise. 

Dual Audiences, Different Needs

Instructors must deliver the live component of their class to an in-person audience and an online audience at the same time. This can be difficult for some people to master because the two audiences have different attention spans and react differently to material depending on how it is presented. Instructors will need to figure out the best approach that meets the needs of both sets of students at the same time. 

Technical Issues 

The online portion of a hybrid class is going to require technology, but professors should be cognizant that students will have different levels of access. Slideshows should be formatted to work on both computers and mobile devices, and files that students are required to stream or download should not be excessively large. Teachers will need to be understanding and accommodating if students miss live sessions or cannot access the online platform due to technical issues. 

Common Misconceptions about Teaching a Hybrid Class

Although hybrid and blended learning models are growing in popularity, there are still a few misconceptions about the process.

Misconception: Online teaching is easy. 

Many people think instructors upload materials, grade assignments, and the work is over. However, instructors must still moderate discussions, have one-on-one sessions with students, and, of course, teach the live portions of the course as well. 

Misconception: Online students are isolated.

Remote students are not isolated from their classmates. You will have many opportunities to offer social and collaborative learning experiences to all of your students, and your hybrid students will not be left out. 

Misconception: Hybrid classrooms are lecture-based to accommodate remote learners.

Lectures are only one of many tools used for hybrid classrooms. Instructors have a lot of flexibility with how they deliver content and interact with students, both during the live sessions and online. 

Prepare Yourself for Teaching in a Hybrid Environment 

If you are moving to a hybrid model of teaching after a traditional classroom experience, you may be concerned about the transition. However, there are several things you can do to prepare and make the transition easier for you and your students. 

• Set achievable goals and realistic expectations. Hybrid learning is very different than a traditional classroom, and you likely can't simply reuse your former syllabus and lesson plans. You'll need to make adaptions to suit your new circumstances. Have specific end goals in mind, but give yourself, and your class, time to figure out the process of meeting those goals. 
• Remember you have two sets of learners. In-person students and remote students will respond differently to live instruction, and you have to learn how to adjust to keep everyone engaged. 
• Customize your course. One of the biggest benefits of hybrid courses is the flexibility to customize the course. You have many tools at your disposal for creating a dynamic learning experience. Do not be afraid to adjust as you go, and take student feedback into consideration. 
• Have the right tools and technology. To maximize your online teaching and be as effective as possible, you need technology that is intuitive and reliable for you, and for your students. 

Make a Seamless Transition to Hybrid Teaching

If you want to offer a seamless learning experience to all of your students, Classavo is a premium, all-in-one teaching and learning SaaS platform that can help you actively engage your students, provide interactive content and analytics, and save students up to 72% of costs associated with learning materials. Classavo is free for professors, so contact us today to get started!