The blend of online learning and traditional brick-and-mortar instruction, hybrid, or "blended" schools, is a growing educational model.
What is a hybrid school?
In the current climate there has been a rise in hybrid learning which gives students a choice of both the experience of learning in a classroom and also online learning. Also known as blended learning, schools have been exploring a teacher-facilitated physical/online school that still provides students interaction with a teacher, but allows them more room to work independently.
Hybrid schools: not a traditional classroom
In years 11 and 13 we are using what is known as The self-blend model. Students can choose to follow either at home online or at school, physically in a classroom with a teacher and their peers. Students have enjoyed online learning as it has proven to be potentially more relevant to each student as they are afforded more independence, flexibility in the pace of how they work and the potential to be creative.
How hybrid schools work
The old way of delivering education was based on schools to keep students at a single pace, with a single textbook, with a single teacher really limits their ability to have that flexibility. Technology at BCB is accessible with our one-to-one laptop program allowing the use on online platforms such as Google Classroom to access a wide range of material which are used in both the physical and online setting.
The effects of hybrid learning
The common benefit associated with blended learning is that it allows the learning experience to be customized around the needs of students. A child can either work ahead or spend more time on a lesson in which they need extra help.
Also, learning online may actually increase interaction between students and teachers instead of reducing it with more individualized attention from teachers. It can even encourage normally shy children to ask more questions in the online context. Blended models also provide the assurance that learning can continue even if there are reasons why students can’t come to school. Throughout this pandemic we have been able to continue online and now blended learning, throughout.
But the benefits of blended learning, online and face to face are shown in the fact that at BCB the educational quality of lessons hasn´t been affected adversely. However, it goes without saying that we miss having all our students back and we can't wait to welcome more year groups here at BCB!
This blog is a redaction of this more in depth article.
