Higher Education Being Pushed Towards A Hybrid Model Of Teaching & Learning

Covid-19 has driven higher education toward a hybrid paradigm of teaching and learning, the same way, just as it has revolutionized our working environment. According to the report by PwC India as well as the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), both teachers and students have a strong preference for blended learning, which combines physical as well as virtual learning through classrooms and online platforms.

The analysis, which was titled “Re-Envisioning higher education through digital adoption”, is based on a research of management, staff, and students performed in the second half at over 50 central, state, and private higher education institutions to assess the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak.

It demonstrates that during the outbreak, online degrees and certification courses are gaining acceptance among these institutions. According to the survey, 89% of institutes have integrated technology solutions, however, 64% of management has had difficulty integrating digital technologies.

Institutes have been in difficulty as a result of the pandemic’s exceptional interruption of normal operations since its inception early last year. According to the survey, one out of every four institutes postponed regular fee collection to address the financial impact, and one out of every three institutes curtailed capital investment.

A 43 percent of higher education institutions undertake online admission tests, with 26% using digital promotion as an entrance method, indicating a substantial shift toward digitalization. Apart from the shortage of a one-stop digital solution for all tasks and the struggle for faculties to keep students involved and motivated, connectivity concerns — only 42% of urban households have an internet connection — are regarded as the main hindrance in the digital journey of the universities.

According to the report, 58 percent of students want to take certification classes, while 35 percent want to take degree courses. Sixty percent of students said they would consider pursuing a supplementary online degree from a different college in addition to their present one. Fifty-three percent of students are interested in taking an online course through a hybrid or university-owned platform.

As per the study, blended learning is the most successful for 46 percent of professors. While 62 percent of respondents said moving to an online model was difficult, 83 percent believe learners can quickly absorb topics online. Students have the majority of the prerequisites for online learning, and 96% are happy with the current online course delivery.

According to the study, the institutes’ management is actively seeking partnerships with edtech companies.

It also states that 82 percent of professors support the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which prioritizes tech-enabled learning, and that 58 percent of institute administrations are ready to execute policy reforms.

Technology adoption had been occurring previously, but the outbreak has hastened it, according to Ashok Varma, leader, social sector development, PwC.

“The hybrid model that has formed is intriguing. Because no offline classes were held during the lockdowns, this is primarily the result. We didn’t foresee such a dramatic shift, but the preference for a hybrid, blended model is evident. Over 85 percent of management replies indicate a desire to pursue holistic IT solutions,” he says.

Over 47% of faculty respondents agree that online education is the way of the future. As a result of this shift, physical infrastructure and facilities can no longer be the primary criteria for students selecting a college.

“Softer attributes of an institute, such as placement history, diversity of course curricula, and competent and experienced professors, will be more appropriate now,” Varma adds.