As the name implies, a hybrid college class is a compromise between these two opposite methods of learning in which students enjoy flexibility similar to that of an online class and some of the face-to-face interaction common in traditional courses.
A hybrid course is a combination of face-to-face and online instruction that can come in a variety of forms. Some models offer in-person courses with online components while others have a mix of students who attend in-person or over Zoom.
Well before the coronavirus pandemic shut down campuses and restricted in-person interaction in March 2020, hybrid learning was a part of the curriculum for Odessa College in Texas and Portland State University in Oregon.
In 2011, 21 percent of community colleges surveyed reported offering hybrid courses, and the institutions that hosted such courses intended to increase course offerings in future years, according to Community College Daily.
Although engagement is part of hybrid learning too, in virtual lecture usage it occurs at a different level and some information that would have spurred discussion or questions is lost in the time period between the virtual lectures and the face-to-face class.
Hybrid courses (also known as blended courses) replace a portion of traditional face-to-face instruction with web-based online learning (e.g., video lectures, online discussions, or activities).
As we mentioned above, online classes take place 100% away from a physical location. Students can take online courses from the comfort of their own home with no commuting required. Hybrid programs, on the other hand, take place in a blended format. This is why they're sometimes called blended learning classes.
A hybrid program is essentially a college program that combines elements of online learning and traditional learning. Instead of taking every class in a classroom on campus, you'll have the chance to take up to half of the credits that you need or even more through online classes.
Pros of Hybrid Learning More pros of the hybrid learning model include a better dialogue between students, teachers, and caregivers, more time for students to learn at their own pace or on their own schedule, and a variety of learning methods for students to choose from.
Hybrid learning, also referred to as blended learning, is an approach to education that combines online educational materials with traditional in-person classroom methods. It's not fully virtual nor is it fully digital.
A hybrid course is a combination of face-to-face and online instruction that can come in a variety of forms. Some models offer in-person courses with online components while others have a mix of students who attend in-person or over Zoom.
Hybrid or blended degree programs are academic programs that divide time between online and in-person instruction. According to Educationdata.org, roughly 38% of college faculty reported teaching a hybrid course in 2019, and 67% of faculty received professional development for designing such courses.
Tips for SuccessComplete and submit assignments on time.Access online class materials regularly (1-3 times per week depending upon the course).Check the course for announcements, due dates, and feedback on completed assignments.Allow extra time for assignment completion in case of unexpected technology glitches.More items...
As the name implies, a hybrid college class is a compromise between these two opposite methods of learning in which students enjoy flexibility similar to that of an online class and some of the face-to-face interaction common in traditional courses. While people talking about hybrid learning are usually discussing college courses, ...
Of course, for those engaging in hybrid courses because of the Covid-19 virus, the main advantage is the ability to avoid social gatherings. There are, however, many other advantages to this type of learning.
One of the great things about online programs is that they allow people to keep working and to perform their family responsibilities while completing their educations. Hybrid courses do this as well. Students who know how to manage their time and who do not procrastinate can tailor their courses to their schedules while still participating in traditional classroom interaction.
Often but not always, classes take place 50 percent through on-campus meetings and 50 percent through online assignments. For example, a hybrid class might have a similar class schedule to a traditional course, with a set meeting time that lasts for an hour or two to be held a couple days a week. Instead of meeting both days, though, hybrid classes will usually have students meet in class just one day a week and supplement that meeting with online “classwork.”
A traditional college course follows a regular schedule of in-person meetings in an on campus classroom. An online course is held primarily online, with students using an online learning platform as a virtual classroom where they can access course materials, complete and submit assignments, and participating in class discussions and projects.
Instead of the standard 50 percent of class meetings spread out evenly over the semester, the publication suggests that students may benefit from more face-to-face interaction at key points in the semester, like the beginning, midterm, and end, while relying more heavily on online learning during the gaps.
Just as online classes are not easier than classes taken in the classroom, hybrid classes are at least as much work, and sometimes more work, than traditional courses. However, they provide more flexibility in terms of scheduling, which may make them more manageable for students who have job or family obligations that limit their time to attend on-campus classes. Because hybrid classes still include face-to-face interaction on a regular basis, they are less likely to result in students feeling isolated and falling behind in their studies. In fact, research indicates that academic performance among students in hybrid courses is as good as it is among students in traditional courses, a claim which cannot be made for complete online courses, The New York Times reported.
At Stanford, hybrid specifically describes a course where some sessions take place in-person and some sessions take place fully online. While the in-person meetings may often include blended teaching elements, hybrid courses mix in-person and remote participation.
Hybrid-Flexible or HyFlex refers to a subset of hybrid courses that emphasize flexibility and student choice. In HyFlex courses, individual students choose how they will participate from session to session.
Stanford's accreditation body, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), considers any course with a single session online as "distance learning," which has separate accreditation requirements. Additionally:
Because hybrid courses require the expertise, techniques, and tools of traditional or blended courses and fully online courses, they can be particularly resource-intensive. Adapting an existing course into a hybrid format typically takes many iterations over a period of time.
Considerations around technology tools, classroom resources, teaching team workloads, and accreditation may factor into your decision to offer a hybrid course. If you are considering hybrid teaching, the following questions are good places to start.
If you have decided that hybrid instruction is a good fit for your students and situation, we recommend the following steps:
In a nutshell, hybrid classes have a different format and style of learning from the typical type of class that takes place completely in-person or completely online. What does hybrid mean? It essentially means that the class has a “hybrid” configuration of both virtual and physical, in-person elements.
Hybrid classes work by having both models incorporated into one. That means that some lessons are conducted online while some are conducted in an actual classroom. Communication with the instructor or coordinator of the training program is still important, it’s just carried out both face-to-face and over a computer.
The major difference is that while online classes are 100% virtual, hybrid classes are only partially virtual. It incorporates online and traditional elements, unlike a course that’s strictly online and relies on the participants logging on for every class remotely.
The blended learning definition is any type of class structure that incorporates more traditional, in-person learning with more modernized virtual learning. Whereas, in traditional classes all instruction is conducted in a classroom setting and online learning is conducted strictly over the internet, blended learning allows for a combination ...
One of the major advantages of the hybrid class is that it offers the best of both. Learners can receive the focus of an in-person class format melded with the versatile online structure as well. Are hybrid classes hard? The classes not harder or easier than any online class, especially when choosing the right program.
Taking hybrid courses can have many benefits for students , but it all depends on how you learn . The biggest benefit is that it can give you the direct, personal touch of an in-person class while still retaining the flexibility of an online course. Of course, this model can prove challenging for some.