Thailand
In this ever-changing environment in regards to education, Hybrid learning can be considered a revolutionary solution. It is a combination of classroom education with online learning.
It offers the necessary amount of flexibility and personalised education experience. There are a lot of platforms that support this Hybrid mode of learning.
One such name is 21k School, an advanced homeschooling platform that aims the fulfill the needs of modern learners.
This article is focused on the contributions, opportunities, and difficulties of perceiving the shades of hybrid learning while talking about the role of 21k School in shaping the future of education.
Table of Contents
Understanding Hybrid Learning
Blended learning or Hybrid learning, is another model that can be implemented in education. It is an integration of face-to-face class delivery with online class assignments.
It involves using technology to supplement or enhance the traditional methods of downfall which presents a better interface to the human learner.
The hybrid learning program enables the students to use computers and smartphones, interact with the teachers and fellow students, and get both, live and virtual feedback. Elements of hybrid learning are as follows
- Online Instruction: Application of technology in ensuring that content reaches the learners: and also to enhance interaction with the learners.
- In-Person Classes: One is the actual physical intervention that can be conducted on a face-to-face basis with educators and peers in scheduled meetings.
- Flexible Scheduling: A benefit for students is to allow them to determine their own time and how they desire to spend it learning.
Why Should Hybrid Learning be Preferred?
Flexibility and Convenience
Hybrid learning has flexibility as one of its core strengths. Students can attend classes online as well as in the classroom.
Tutor does not need to meet his/her students physically thus, students can make it through all their courses online since they will be provided with all the materials they require at any time they need them.
Personalised Learning
By understanding each student’s learning style and pace, Hybrid learning provides personalised education. Online platforms have adaptive learning technologies that meet the specific needs of each student.
This aids in the identification of the spaces in learning as well as increasing the knowledge of the cohort in general.
Learn in detail about why schools are focusing more on personalised learning.
Enhanced Engagement and Interaction
Most often blended learning, a learning process that is conducted online and in the classroom, is more effective compared to traditional forms of training.
Real-time and communicative media meaning discussion forums, video conferencing, virtual classrooms or other synchronous collaborative projects raise the quality of the learners’ participation.
Accessibility and Inclusivity
Hybrid learning also spreads the options of how one can learn to a greater extent. People who cannot attend campus learning in their geographical locations can take courses that otherwise they cannot pursue.
Further, this model is beneficial for many students as it is flexible enough to include students with different learning capabilities and styles.
Implementation Strategies
1. Designing a Hybrid Learning Curriculum
While developing the structure for the curriculum based on the type of learning activities used in the teaching of leadership in early grades, it is important to identify the blend between online and offline learning.
This entails having leaders cultivate programs that enhance the infusion of leadership concepts into what is normally labeled academic areas of learning such as languages and social studies.
2. Blended Learning Models (Rotation, Flex, Self-blend)
The ability to blend traditional face-to-face and online teaching styles also means that the teaching leadership skills are made more flexible and they may be tailored to fit certain requirements.
When used in classes, rotation models can rotate students through different activities like group projects or individual research and, on the other hand, flex models allow students to move through different activities depending on the pace you set for them.
3. Choosing the Right Mix of Online and Offline Activities
Deciding about the right online and offline activities that can be most effective in engaging the students as well as in the continuous reinforcement of leadership competencies is critical.
Online activities include web-based exercises or computerized learning modules and offline including flip-chart activities, role-playing, and volunteer work within the community.
This balance helps to meet the objective of the course, to cultivate digital literacy skills as well as to foster their knowledge about interpersonal leadership.
Technology Infrastructure and Support
1. Training Educators for Effective Implementation
The educators receive adequate knowledge to apply in the integration of technology in the leadership curriculum.
Teacher training should include issues related to teaching approaches to online, blended learning, and face-to-face classes, particular technologies needed, and ways of participating in a digital classroom.
Teachers’ capacity to enhance leadership skills among students entails the need for the provision of continuous professional development as a way of enhancing the teaching practices that fit the early-graders’ learning contexts.
Also, read Must-have skills for teachers in an online education environment to understand what are the necessary skills an educator should have.
2. Ensuring Equitable Access for All Students
Making technology available to everyone is important for creating a diverse learning environment. Schools should in a way dispense handheld devices and connect the students to the internet where at home they cannot have access to the devices.
Further, implementing make-up plans for offline modes assures every child’s inclusiveness in the applications of the blended learning model regardless of status, location, or financial capability.
Student Engagement and Learning Outcomes
1. Enhanced Student Engagement
Concerning the early grades of education literature includes aspects of enhancing students learning and motivation.
The incorporation of animation and discussions, group work, and reinforcement of peers help students maintain their interest and focus on the lesson.
2. Pros of the use of Interactive and Multimedia content
Education that is made even more elaborate through the use of interactivity and multimedia makes leadership’s learning a diverse affair in terms of approach.
Group discussions, brainstorming, and introductions can enhance the general culture concerning leadership principles and engage in further study of the lessons.
3. Peer Collaboration and Social Learning Opportunities
Peer-to-peer education as it fosters the understanding of how everyone in the team matters; how to come up with ideas; and how to treat others in the team.
Class assignments, discussions, and problem-solving assignments foster communication and interpersonal skills as well as foster interactions in a positive academic environment of learning peers.
What are the Challenges of Hybrid Learning?
Technological Barriers
Firstly it is important to specify that like any other learning model, hybrid learning has its advantages and disadvantages.
The first is the digital divide, which is the reality in many student’s lives that they cannot regularly access the internet or a suitable device.
Need for Self-Discipline
Hybrid learning demands a lot of discipline and probably the best time management skills in a person. It also means students are forced to ensure they manage their time properly as well as closely monitor all their academic assignments.
Perhaps the main weakness associated with this form of learning is the fact that children will not be able to follow a set schedule in a traditional classroom as a result of the coaching arrangement.
Teacher Training and Adaptation
In order to effectively teach within a hybrid format, educators need to be innovative and open to change in the way in which they are teaching.
This transition presents challenges that demand extensive pre-service education, as well as recurrent, in-service training.
Learning from home with the help of the Internet is a completely new situation for teachers, and they should be provided with the tools and knowledge of how to build effective lessons and give proper instructions for online lessons.
21k School
21k School is India’s one of the top homeschooling platforms that provides hybrid learning to provide a comprehensive education solution. The platform offers:
- Customizable Curricula: Schools offer families many opportunities for selecting subjects, and different curricula (Indian, British, and American curriculum for a child).
- Interactive Online Classes: Scheduling of Live and recorded classes with well-educated teachers that teach their students in an engaging and live manner.
- Community Engagement: Opportunity to contact other students by organizing virtual clubs, meetings, and projects for students online.
Conclusion
Today, students are adopting innovative types of learning, and essential transformations are experienced in the education systems all over the world which is called hybrid learning.
This is because; it is flexible, has a better learning approach, is highly involved, and education can more easily be made flexible to suit every person.
Of the web platforms, there is one that stands out in the use of blended learning to provide homeschooling and this is 21k School.
When it comes to future development, hybrid learning will benefit as technology will continue to be embraced and improved enhancing the teaching environment for all the learners.
