Like all other sectors, education is also evolving rapidly. One new norm that is becoming normal is hybrid schooling. Unlike traditional classroom learning, it offers much flexibility and scalability.
Moreover, this model has equipped parents, educators, and policymakers with a good blend that combines the best of in-person instruction and online education.
But is it suitable and available for every child?
Hybrid schooling has its own benefits, like convenience, flexibility, and increased access to resources. However, one cannot ignore the challenges that come along. These include screen fatigue, reduced socialization, and the need for better self-discipline.
This blog covers the most relevant points regarding the key advantages and disadvantages of this type of learning system so that you can make a wise decision on your child’s future.
What Exactly is Hybrid Schooling?
Hybrid schooling is an educational approach that blends scheduled periods spent interacting in person with a teacher or fellow students (most often during regular school attendance) with various online learning activities.
This allows students to have some face-to-face contact with their peers and teachers while enjoying the flexibility and accessibility of online resources and activities.
Thus, hybrid learning attempts to become a more flexible, efficient learning environment in which students can achieve course content in a delivery mode that is suitable for their needs and schedules. It brings together direct engagement and immediate feedback.
Another major feature of this kind of schooling is to provide the options offered by skill-independent, self-paced study through rich multimedia resources. All while contacting a larger online community of fellow learners and experts beyond school settings.
Foundations of Hybrid Schooling
The basic aim of hybrid schooling is to bring together two unique learning modes:
- In-Person Learning: Also known as traditional learning, it encompasses conventional classroom activities like lectures, discussions, and hands-on AI activities. It offers immediate and personal engagement. A feeling of community can also be experienced, which many learners and educators value.
- Online Learning: This is the advanced mode of learning spreading rapidly in the modern world. Being the need of the hour, digital platforms utilize this segment to hold content, discussions, and assessments. Flexibility offered through such a learning approach enables the students to access materials from anywhere, at any pace, and style of learning. Thus, it offers much time and freedom to both the student and teacher.
Pros of Hybrid Schooling
1. Flexible Learning
Kids can be structured for in-person lessons a couple of days every week. While at all other times benefiting from individualized home study through online channels.
Let’s say if a student doesn’t understand his math lesson in school, he might go to the tutorials online. This way, he does not have to ask for help from any of his classmates or subject teachers.
2. Technological Efficiency
Hybrid learning surely introduces children to AI tools for kids and platforms. Today, students are way more aware than we were at the same age. They have a variety of online platforms available at their fingertips. So, it’s up to them to split their time to take advantage of both approaches.
Using tools like Google Classroom and various educational applications would help students adapt to digital collaboration, which is a crucial skill for them as 21st-century students.
3. Individualized Learning Opportunity
As every student has their own study methods and choices, it is important for the educator to adapt to this. Through hybrid schooling, teachers can better tailor their teaching styles to fit the individual’s learning needs.
For example, while one student prefers video explanations, another prefers reading material, hybrid models can give both. Thus, helping learners in every possible way.
4. Cost-effectiveness
In the hybrid model, there are decreased educational expenses as the requirements for physical infrastructure and resources are much less. This efficiency benefits both institutions and students, who may face reduced tuition fees, making education more financially accessible.
Most institutes now offer online learning programs, so even needy students can take advantage of them. Resultingly, parents don’t have to pay heavy fees for physical classes. Most importantly, it saves a lot of transport costs.
5. Self-Discipline and Responsibility
Hybrid learning gives the child some independence in handling their own time for assignments and learning scheduling.
Through this, a student learns to hone some organizational skills concerning studying time at home, with the ability to complete assignments with little or no reminders, and develop accountability. And we know that these are skills necessary for life.
Cons of Hybrid Schooling
1. Limited Social Interaction
Man is a social animal. But if one opts for frequent online sessions in a hybrid model, the daily live interaction and peer bonding through group work and spontaneous play do lack.
For instance, there are few occasions to develop social and emotional skills through working on group projects, as students get no playtime or recess to spend with one another.
2. Strong Parental Involvement Needed
Younger kids will need almost constant supervision at home, which can be highly challenging for parents. As parents have many other responsibilities, they may find it hard to keep a constant eye on their children throughout their study hours.
For example, a parent working from home will seldom be able to take the time out required to help with lessons while managing back-to-back meetings and deadlines.
3. Unequal Technological Access
Not every family has reliable Internet access or a device that permits smooth online learning. Or the environment at home may not allow the kid to focus on their learning peacefully.
There is a possibility that a student with poor internet connectivity would miss the very important part of a live class lesson or would be late in submitting their assignments on time.
4. Inconsistent Routine and Discipline
The transition from home to school affects a child’s normal routine and may cause confusion or create no structure to the “home day.” Besides, they might fail to learn the discipline they are taught at educational institutions.
A child may take the home days for granted by treating them too casually, and they miss deadlines or do not produce much at all.
5. Harder Assessment
It becomes really challenging for teachers to know where kids stand in reference to progress, engagement, and comprehension. When the learning is split between home and classroom, it is difficult to know where a child is really at.
A child may appear to be engaged in an online interaction, but they could be struggling quietly. And it may often be missed simply because there is no in-person interaction where a teacher is observing.
Is Hybrid Schooling the Right Fit for Your Child?
Yes, absolutely! Hybrid schooling is changing the way children are educated today—bringing together the benefits of learning at home and the structure of the traditional classroom together.
Hybrid learning opens a world of possibilities, specifically for tech-savvy, independent learners. On the other hand, it creates many challenges that need proper planning and support. Like any education model, it works if it fits your child’s learning style, personality, and your family’s daily plan.
At Khired Kids, we focus on the ideal balance between collaboration and the health of a hybrid education in a young child’s mind!
So, how do you prepare to future-proof your child’s education?
Enroll your child in Khired Kids today so they can experience the best of both approaches!