Education Technology Services

A deep dive into hybrid learning technologies

The COVID-19 pandemic pushed the entire education sector and billions of students worldwide into a frenzy. Institutes scrambled to cope and maintain continuity in education. The time was ripe for online and, eventually, hybrid learning and teaching technology to plant its feet firmly. As we leave the pandemic behind, hybrid learning technologies brought a tectonic shift that is here to stay. Let us examine how the learning ecosystem benefits from technology in the classroom.

What is hybrid learning?

Hybrid learning combines classroom and remote learning using state-of-the-art technologies. Students can spend 25–50% of time learning in the classroom and the rest online. The benefits of hybrid learning are evident, and over 77% of academic leaders say that the results of hybrid learning are equal to or better than in-person classes. There are three key principles for hybrid teaching and learning:

• Inclusivity: Breaking down the barriers and ensuring that everyone is seen and heard and can share their ideas freely
• Engagement: Ensuring smooth collaboration with a variety of design experiences.
• Ease: Having a range of intuitive and easy-to-navigate in-person and online experiences

The importance of hybrid learning

Hybrid learning offers students opportunities other than merely classroom learning, including:

• Networking opportunities: Pure online learning models don’t offer many co-learning opportunities. But with hybrid learning, you can network and still learn remotely. According to a study, 60% of students feel comfortable with a mix of online and in-person learning.

• Higher accountability and self-discipline: When a teacher isn’t physically present to remind you about due dates and you are not surrounded by other students, it’s an opportunity to be self-disciplined. It is an invaluable skill when you enter into the professional world. Hybrid learning also teaches you management and organisational skills.
• Flexibility: Many people study while they manage a job, family, and children. Hybrid learning provides them with the flexibility to manage everything without sacrificing their studies. For example, if your child is unwell and needs attention, you can complete the lectures online until you are ready to return to in-person classes.

• Access anytime, anywhere: Students who opt for in-person classes must live near the campus and be available during the lectures. With hybrid learning, you can take some classes in-person and the rest from a remote location or even another country. Technology also makes it easy for differently abled people to study. You may carry the study material on a tablet and not require physical books.
• Affordability: With all the study material available online on a laptop or a tablet, you can save on accommodation and books. There are still upfront costs involved, but it may be considerably less than that of enrolling in a physical classroom.

Hybrid learning technologies

The following hybrid learning technologies make students active rather than passive learners.

• Online training platforms:

  Cloud-based training platforms pool the tools and technologies needed for a truly hybrid environment. Thes include videoconferencing, online exam assessment and scoring, automated alerts, remote submissions, etc.

• Collaboration and active learning:

  Online training platforms connect student devices together in a private network, making it ideal for secure content sharing and collaboration. Teachers can moderate the environment and monitor the classroom through video feeds from various displays in the classroom.

• Multiple video feeds:

  Students learning online need to see everything that goes on in the classroom. This includes the teacher, fellow students, study material, and group partners. Multiple video feeds with routing solutions can help students in learning remotely.

• Cameras and audio:

  A central camera and microphone may work in a small class. But in a bigger location, you may need multiple cameras, microphones, and audio devices to make the experience immersive for students connecting remotely.

• Student devices:

  Students normally work on a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) model, using laptops, tablets, or mobile phones. Using their devices, students can easily share learning material and interact with peers.

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How can Infosys BPM help?

The AI-enabled and cloud-based edutech solutions reduce time, effort, and costs. Some of the hybrid learning solutions offered by Infosys BPM are:

• Intelligent assessment services
• Smart virtual event hosting services
• Gamification services
• Enterprise services
• Learner segmentation and recommendation services

Read about all the edutech assessment platform solutions in detail.