Written by: Ms. Kiran Dham, CEO, Globus Infocom Ltd.
The pandemic’s outburst last year pushed businesses to adopt the digital route to ensure the continuance of their operations. The education sector specifically witnessed a surge in the adaption of ed-tech leveraging the potential of the online space to extend a state-of-the-art learning experience to the kids. As per the World Economic Forum’s reports, over 1.2 billion children in 186 countries were affected due to the coronavirus. The global pandemic crisis nudged the educational institutions to adopt new-age technologies and utilize the virtual zone for the provision of a personalized, customized and creative learning experience.
Hybrid learning as the safest way to continue education during pandemic
The concept of hybrid learning derives from a combination on online & in-class learning where both models compliment each other as a single structure though split in the proportion of 50:50. The evolving concept that is leading to the disruption of the system, is satisfyingly meeting the expectations of the education system at many levels significantly because of its exceptional degree of flexibility and potential to escalate the access to learn. It brings the best of both worlds of physical interaction and online learning to the table and ensures that the students get access to a high-end educational experience. It has enabled the students to study from the comfort zone of their homes, indulge in self-paced learning, and work on projects in the real world. It uses online resources to replace portions of students’ instruction that would otherwise be delivered face to face.
Hybrid learning preps up the learners to be independent, self-disciplined, and gather skills and qualities that are required to deal with real-world situations. It also ensures greater flexibility and effective learning. Students won’t have to suffer if they miss classes due to unavoidable reasons and will be able to match their pace with the progressing curriculum. The digital-physical learning concept paves the way for the development of a collaborative and supportive learning environment that ensures that studies aren’t compromised and students have the access to holistic learning- the right balance of theoretical knowledge and practical exposure.
The future of hybrid learning
Hybrid learning has carved the path for education to be engaging, immersive, and flexible. Unique and engaging teaching resources could blend the demand for in-person and remote learning styles and easily cater to both of the preferences. This model gives control to the students over the place, pace and time of learning. This facility or flexibility often results in increased participation in the classes. The personalized learning approach motivates the students to learn at their own pace and be connected with the diverse human perspectives. The new-age tech solutions enable educators to customize the content as per the needs of the students and also upscale the learning, examination, and marks evaluation processes. With the assistance of digital learning facility, teachers are able to deliver the lessons consistently, ensuring a higher degree of coverage ensuring all learners receive the same type of learning
As we have recently experienced the second wave and the chances of the third wave are highly likely, it is indeed an undeniable fact that the pandemic is here to stay. Hence, the new norm of hybrid learning model is marking its presence in the industry. It will be all the more accepted and become popular especially in the post-pandemic times. Owing to its benefits of combining the best features of both in-person education and online learning, Hybrid learning is something that schools and colleges are looking forward to upscale their working and provide the best quality education to the learners.
Summing Up!
The trend is soon gaining momentum and will continue to grow in the times ahead. The educational institutions are preparing themselves for major changeover in their systems in the times ahead. Making concerted efforts to embrace the changes, they will be inclined towards utilizing the potential of cutting-edge technologies and online space to extend the high-end learning experience. The introduction and adoption of hybrid learning in a full-fledged fashion will be one such remarkable concept that will occupy a prominent position in their operational strategies in the coming times though it is at sole discretion of the institution/School whether they will choose Hybrid, blended or online learning.
What was introduced and adopted as a method of survival, is now emerging as the future of the educational system at the global level and it will progress at a significant pace to keep pace with the ever-evolving industry.
