Benefits of Hybrid Classes People tend to like hybrids. Hybrid anything. Hybrid cars, hybrid animals, hybrid classes. Taking the best of two worlds and putting them together – that’s what people like. (Of course, not everybody – but enough!) Hybrid classes are growing in popularity as schools integrate traditional classes and online classes. While some might consider most traditional classes to now be hybrid classes (due to online course materials, grade books, class blogs, etc.), this article will focus on more clear hybrid classes – those that reduce classroom time and add in online coursework.
Why the Change? Humans like it invent, improve, experiment, and create. This is why people breed certain dogs together, create fusion foods, combine luxury and heavy-duty vehicles, and integrate foreign words into their native languages. Always one the road of progression, schools do what they can to enhance the learning experience. Traditional classrooms allow for face-to-face interaction, social learning, and controlled time and space (which help students focus). Online classes allow for personal exploration, interactive media, and broadened spectrums. By combining the two, hybrid classes try to access the strengths of both forms of learning.
Goals of Hybrid Classes One of the main goals of hybrid classes is to free up classroom time for lecture and discussion while accomplishing more “mundane” tasks like quizzes and tests online. The online aspect also helps students access a wider variety of learning resources like videos, graphics, interactive programs, chats, and so on. Hopefully, the combination of these two will allow students to develop as a class and as individuals. Especially considering that students have different learning styles and preferences, this hybrid system should help a greater number of students learn more effectively.
Additional Benefits Outside of learning, there are additional benefits that come from hybrid classes. Many people cite the environmental impact hybrid classes encourage. First, paperwork is cut down as more and more assignments, quizzes, reading materials, syllabi, and tests are provided online. Secondly, cutting down on class time means cutting down on commutes. Replacing oncampus classes with online coursework allows students and professors to work from home and conserve gas.
Convenience Another clear benefit of hybrid classes is their convenience. As students are able to access all important information online (at anytime from anywhere) their control over schoolwork increases and miscommunications/mistakes tend to decrease. Working from home can also be helpful for many students that have families or live far from campus. Hybrid classes also help students prepare for more online-oriented systems of school and work. As the world continues to shift from physical to online, students need to learn to adjust to online systems. Online classes and workplaces require selfmotivation, organization, and a certain level of computer skills. Hybrid classes are a great bridge for students to build these important skills. All classes from Business Administration to Event Planning to Programming can benefit from the unique advantages of the hybrid system. Hybrid classes allow the best of both in-class and online learning to work together for a well-rounded, impactful education! Photo Credit: fredjk , ante3