The Hybrid Learning Myth: Fitting In Offline And Online Classwork Together

 

The recent COVID-19 pandemic has been a challenge for many postsecondary institutions. No one could have predicted the amount of change we were in for when it arrived, but some schools were better prepared to handle what was coming than others. One way that some schools dealt with the issue was by embracing hybrid learning. Hybrid learning is about bringing together in person and remote students in a class setting so they can learn from each other. But even as its popularity grows, misconceptions about what it is and how it works are still spreading. In this article, we discuss myths you need to combat if you want everyone on board with your plan! Myth #1: Online education is not as good as face-to-face learning. It's hard to say whether students who learn remotely perform worse than those in the traditional classroom setting because research has been limited and inconclusive. However, it would be a mistake to assume that online courses are inferior just because they don't involve sitting in a physical classroom. Some students who take online classes do better than those who attend traditional campuses, and many colleges now offer full degrees entirely online. The important thing is that the student and the teacher are a good fit for each other's learning styles. If they are not, it doesn't matter where the student takes the course. Myth #2: All children learn better in person than online. When COVID-19 compelled colleges and universities to send students home or cut class capacity, it was easy to single out the bad. Online education wasn't worth the expense, according to students, and faculty had a steep learning curve. But what was missing in the glitzy headlines was the fact that there were far more remote learners who had success. Some students have discovered that they learn better outside of the classroom, just as some workers have recognized that long commutes and office distractions hinder their productivity. Some students, on the other hand, may enjoy coming to class most of the time but appreciate the option to do so remotely when they are busy or ill. HyFlex and hybrid courses allow students to develop their education in whatever way works best for them. Myth #3: Online courses are necessary only for pandemic-level events. Hybrid learning as we know it today was fueled by the COVID-19 movement. But that isn't where its origins lie. HyFlex, for example, which emphasizes student empowerment and choice, has been around since 2006. Hybrid learning will enable colleges to continue to meet student demands long after COVID-19 is history because it allows institutions to offer students the best education possible. All of the benefits that hybrid learning provided during the epidemic can also be utilized to help students manage all sorts of smaller crises. Students who are too unwell to come to class but not too unwell to learn may participate remotely. Hybrid learning allows for greater flexibility, so students who are attending school while caring for children or performing other responsibilities might benefit from attending class online. Myth #4: Hybrid learning is only for people who are good at using technology. While it's true that hybrid learning works best when both the student and the teacher are technologically savvy, this isn't a prerequisite for success. Many institutions provide teachers with the necessary training and support to make sure they feel comfortable teaching in a hybrid learning environment. Classrooms that use hybrid learning are more effective because they provide students with the opportunity to learn in different ways. This flexibility helps all students, regardless of their strengths and weaknesses. Additionally, by using technology in the classroom, teachers have access to a wealth of resources that can help them teach more effectively. For these reasons, hybrid learning is a valuable option for any classroom setting. Myth #5: The only way to learn is through lectures. A professor's live streaming courses are generally the first image that springs to mind when you think of hybrid learning. That isn't always the case. There's no reason why hybrid and HyFlex learning can't be utilized to allow learners to collaborate in a classroom setting if certain criteria are met. This can be achieved through the use of technology tools that encourage communication and participation. Students can interact naturally with those who are remote by utilizing a fully integrated in-room audio-video system. Nonconventional communication techniques, such as a shared backchannel and breakout rooms, may also increase communication than you might get in a traditional full lecture hall class. The takeaway is that technology can be used to create a collaborative and engaging learning environment

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