Also known as blended learning, hybrid learning is an educational model that combines conventional in-person learning with virtual learning. There are several different forms of hybrid learning. In some cases, a portion of the classroom attends in-person classes while the remaining students join in virtually from home.
In other cases, all students either attend classes from home or sit in physical classrooms. For instance, each student is required to attend in-person school on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. On the remaining days (Tuesdays and Thursdays), they collectively attend virtual classes.
While hybrid schooling has been popular for several years, it has recently started gaining more traction in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. After being required to attend online classes due to the pandemic, many students have acclimatised to the pace and flow of this model.
As the risk of the pandemic gradually decreases and we get closer to achieving herd immunity, parents have the option of sending their children back to in-person school. However, they’re increasingly opting for online schooling or hybrid schooling. Why? And should you consider making the same decision?
In this blog, we’ll offer a closer look at six benefits of choosing the hybrid learning model for your children. We’ll also help you understand the importance of choosing an esteemed online school that can help your child progress exceptionally well, both academically and non-academically.
1. Enhanced Flexibility
Unfortunately, full-time conventional (in-person) schooling can negatively affect students. In most cases, students are taught protracted lessons in classrooms with a high student-teacher ratio. As many as 25 (or even more) students are taught by a single teacher. As students struggle to pay attention, they may miss out on important topics and subtopics.
The lessons gradually become longer as teachers have to repeat certain portions due to lack of class concentration, knowledge absorption, and knowledge retention. Longer lessons aren’t necessarily better for students. As the duration of the class increases, students become even more distracted. They feel worn out, overtired, and overwhelmed.
As they shuffle in and out of long classes, students feel exhausted by the end of the day. As a result, they return home with low energy levels, unable to focus on afterschool activities, skill-building games, excursions, explorations, hobbies, and interests.
Focused learning helps students enjoy greater flexibility throughout the day. Compared to the full-time conventional schooling model, hybrid learning stands out for its focused learning approach.
At Cambridge Home School, our students attend full-time online school and hybrid school. Since our classroom size is smaller (8–10 students per group), our MA/PhD qualified subject specialist teachers are able to provide one-on-one attention to each student. We utilise advanced online learning software solutions and cutting-edge audio-visual elements to make each lesson thoroughly engaging and stimulating.
These measures help students develop a genuine and consistent interest in every lesson, which improves their performance. Students aren’t forced to sit through protracted lessons. Since the classes are more focused and better structured, they end on time. By the end of their school day, students feel active, alert, and eager. They can play their favourite sports, explore new interests and hobbies, and keep the learning process going after school hours.
This flexibility goes a long way in improving student mental health across the board. Content students perform better. By enjoying ample flexibility, students who attend hybrid school reap the benefits of a healthier school-life balance.
2. Better Learning Outcomes
Hybrid learning combines the best elements of in-person school with the best aspects of online school. In-person school offers the benefit of direct learning. Students can engage with their teachers and peers in the same classroom. While this doesn’t have an advantage over online schooling, it helps students develop strong interpersonal skills.
At Cambridge Home School, we ensure that our online classes are just as interactive. Consequently, students reap the benefits of in-person schooling from home. When these approaches are combined, the outcome is even better.
We utilise a well-rounded, independent, and interdisciplinary curriculum to help students secure top grades. The curriculum is taught excellently in both schooling settings: in-person and virtual. Students who perform better in conventional schooling settings can benefit from in-person interactivity and enjoy ample flexibility.
Similarly, students who thrive in the online learning setting can receive a quality education from home while enjoying the face-to-face connectivity that comes with in-person schooling. In a nutshell, students receive the best of both worlds. This balance helps them excel in multiple areas of their life.
Owing to the excellent quality of education, they progress exceptionally well from an academic point of view. Similarly, the flexibility of hybrid schooling also helps them excel in sports, games like Scrabble and Chess, competitions like the National Spelling Bee, and so many other avenues.
Students enjoy greater academic and non-academic success when they follow the hybrid schooling model. They get ample time to indulge in their interests and passions. While some students may enjoy painting, others may have an affinity for playing musical instruments. While some may have a knack for writing, others could have a strong interest in artificial intelligence.
Students can have so many creative interests ranging from theater to solar energy. These interests can only be watered and given the opportunity to grow when students enjoy a healthy balance after school. Hybrid learning keeps this delicate balance intact. As a result, students perform remarkably well in the non-academic facets of their life. It goes without saying that they also achieve incredible academic success.
At Cambridge Home School, we provide a vast online library of educational resources. In addition, our MA/PhD qualified subject specialist teachers create an individualised learning plan for every student. Based on their weaknesses, strengths, and unique learning preferences, students are taught accordingly. This approach helps bring out the best in them and the results are evident for everyone to see.
In June 2021, 86% of our IGCSE students secured A*s and As in their target subjects. 83% of our A Level students secured two As and a B (or higher), as required by top universities. Moreover, all students who applied received offers from some of the best universities across the globe.
Whether you choose full-time online schooling or hybrid schooling for your child, you’ll help them develop academically and non-academically. Holistic growth plays a big role in helping students become well-rounded individuals who are equipped with the academic strengths, soft skills, and hard skills required for continued success and growth.
3. Increased Safety
While the risk of the COVID-19 pandemic has decreased significantly, it hasn’t been eliminated. It’s important to note that the UK hasn’t reached herd immunity yet. While we’re getting closer to checking this box off the list, we’re not entirely there. As a parent, make sure you prioritise your child’s safety.
Here’s a closer look at how contemporary schooling systems rank based on the level of safety they provide, not just from the COVID-19 pandemic, but also from instances of school bullying, harassment, abuse, and shootings:
- Online School:High Level of Safety
- Hybrid School:Moderate Level of Safety
- Conventional (In-Person) School:Low Level of Safety
As education specialists, we strongly urge parents to choose online schooling for their children. However, if your child prefers a touch of in-person schooling, opt for the second-safest option: hybrid schooling.
You can choose to send your child to an in-person school once or twice a week. On these days, make sure your child wears a mask, carries and consistently uses a sanitiser, and avoids coming into contact with high-touch surfaces.
Ultimately, hybrid schooling is still significantly safer than full-time in-person schooling. However, the risk still lingers. By taking the right measures, you can help your child receive a quality and, most importantly, safe education.
4. Personal Growth and Social Development
The hybrid schooling model stands out for its incredible ability to help students progress as individuals. When combined, online classes and in-person classes increase the potential for personal growth and social development in students.
At Cambridge Home School, our teachers personally ensure that these critical developmental stages are completed. Let’s understand how we accomplish this. Our online lessons include skill-building games, activities, and quizzes. Some of these require students to work collectively while others require personal completion. As a result, each activity fosters personal growth and social development in students.
As they interact and work with their peers, students learn essential skills like teamwork, collaboration, communication, listening, critical thinking, time management, respect, empathy, and conflict management. They learn how to work better with their peers.
Similarly, personal activities help students reap the benefits of self-enrichment. They learn how to utilise their own skills and work exceptionally well in an individual capacity. As they attend in-person classes for the week, these soft and hard skills are reinforced.
As stated earlier, we keep our classroom size small. As a result, each student is able to work with their teachers to develop and polish these skills. This is one of the most pronounced benefits of hybrid schooling. As students interact with their teachers and peers in virtual and physical settings, they learn immensely. Each setting brings something new to the table. The more varied their experiences, the better the learning process.
5. Availability of Resources
While we touched upon this earlier, we’ll offer more insight in this section. In most full-time conventional schools, teachers exclusively rely on classroom teaching. Once students return home, they only have their schoolbooks to utilise for homework, revision, etc.
Hybrid schooling goes a step beyond this approach. Students who attend online classes have access to a vast online library of top-notch resources, including study guides, past papers, videos, presentations, concept-strengthening games and exercises, tutorials, and so much more. Students can access these resources 24/7. As a result, they can get immediate help with homework and revision.
6. Parental Ease
While hybrid schooling is better for students in many ways, it’s also a boon for parents. Unfortunately, many parents are unsure how this switch can benefit them. As a parent, you can also enjoy a healthier schedule if you choose the hybrid learning model. How?
For starters, parents are not required to intervene in their children’s online classes at any point. You may worry that you’ll have to check in from time to time. If you’re a working parent, this can prevent you from focusing on work-related tasks.
At Cambridge Home School, our MA/PhD qualified subject specialist teachers completely take the reins. They deliver engaging, interactive, and stimulating lessons to keep children engrossed in their classes through and through.
In the beginning, you will be required to set up your child’s class on a computer or laptop in their study room. Once your child develops their schooling pace, they can set up their classes themselves. You can resume work while your child attends school. Once their school day ends, you can check in on them and navigate the rest of their day.
As a parent, you’ll enjoy ample flexibility and ease. In fact, our students also enjoy family trips with their parents during the school year. Online classes can be set up anywhere, provided that you have a stable internet connection, a laptop or a computer, a quiet, distraction-free study room, and the required educational resources.
You can make these arrangements in your hotel suite to ensure that your child can attend their classes as planned. Once their school day is over, you can explore the culture, traditions, language, customs, food, and excursions of a new place.
These experiences can help children learn about the world and grow as individuals. By offering greater flexibility to both students and parents, the hybrid learning model offers impressive improvements in the quality and pace of learning.
As one of the leading online schools in the UK, we offer four homeschooling programs: Primary Prep/Key Stage 2 (ages 8 to 10), Lower School/Key Stage 3 (ages 11 to 13), Upper School/IGCSEs (ages 14 to 16), and Sixth Form/AS & A-Levels (ages 17 to 19).
You can also utilise the following resources for more insight:
- Admissions Process
- Term Dates
- Application Form
- Scholarships & Bursaries
- Grades & Fees
- Online Reviews
Committed to providing a quality British online education, we accept applications from the UK, Europe (including Western Russia), Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia.
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FAQ
What is Hybrid Learning?
Hybrid learning is an educational approach that merges traditional classroom teaching with online instruction. This model offers various forms, such as some students attending physical classes while others participate virtually, or all students alternating between in-person and online sessions.
How Does Hybrid Learning Benefit Students Academically and Non-Academically?
Hybrid learning offers a balanced educational experience that fosters both academic and non-academic development. The model combines the interpersonal skills gained from in-person teaching with the flexibility of online education. This approach allows students to excel academically while also pursuing other interests like sports, art, and music.
What Makes Hybrid Learning Safer During the COVID-19 Pandemic?
While the COVID-19 threat has lessened, it hasn’t disappeared entirely. Hybrid learning offers a moderate level of safety compared to full-time in-person schooling. Students attending hybrid classes have the option to learn from home, thereby reducing their exposure to potential risks.
How Does Hybrid Learning Contribute to Personal Growth and Social Development?
The hybrid model combines online and in-person interactions, helping students acquire a variety of soft and hard skills. These include teamwork, communication, and time management, among others. The varied experiences gained from both educational settings enrich the overall learning process.
How Can Parents Benefit From Opting for the Hybrid Learning Model?
The hybrid learning model offers a level of flexibility that can ease parents’ schedules. Parents are not required to continuously monitor their children’s online classes, allowing them to focus on other tasks. This flexibility even extends to the possibility of family trips without disrupting the child’s education.