In person, virtual or hybrid: helpful tools for back to school (2024)

FAQs

Do students learn better virtually or in-person? ›

Some research shows that students perform equally or better in online classes than they do in traditional in-person classes. As expected, the amount of engagement in the online class affects its efficiency for students.

Virtual – You attend live online meetings on specified days and times and complete additional work independently. Hybrid – You learn online and in-person. Think of this as a mixture of an in-person and online class.

Flexibility is a fundamental pillar of hybrid learning, endorsed by educational experts and institutions worldwide. It allows students to tailor their educational experience to their individual needs and preferences while also allowing them to choose how they engage in class activities conveniently from any location.

Distractions like the internet, TV, phones and even family members can make it hard to study. In-person classes can be a chance to step away from these distractions and focus solely on learning. The routine of attending a class at the same time each week can be a helpful way to learn.

Among the many benefits of online learning, you'll find that virtual education allows you to enjoy a more flexible schedule, can reduce the cost of your degree, and can allow you to more easily develop your career alongside furthering your education.

Combining in-person and remote methodologies while observing health and safety guidelines allows for a more accessible and flexible program that also promotes deeper human connection and provides access to all campus facilities.

Flexibility in scheduling

Unlike the rigid schedules of traditional learning, blended learning provides students with more autonomy over their learning pace. They can access online resources and assignments at their convenience, allowing for a personalized learning journey.

It's structured in a way so that it adds to and complements what students learn and discuss in-person. With a hybrid course, students still have the ability to interact face-to-face with peers and to make themselves known to their professor, while enjoying some of the flexibility of an online course.

It can seem obvious and you may already have one, but a functioning computer or a tablet is a must. Whether it is a desktop or a laptop, any computer will do and will allow you to take your classes in an efficient virtual environment.

What are the 4 pillars of HyFlex learning? ›

Let's explore what HyFlex learning is and look into the four pillars that make it such a transformative approach: Learner Choice, Equivalency, Reusability, and Accessibility. HyFlex, short for Hybrid-Flexible, is a teaching and learning model that embraces flexibility, inclusivity, and innovation.

Hybrid learning, also referred to as blended learning, is an approach to education that combines online educational materials with traditional in-person classroom methods. It's not fully virtual nor is it fully digital.

The Pros of In-Person Schooling

In a traditional classroom, students naturally interact with one another and work on their social skills. Additionally, they engage face-to-face with their teachers, which helps teachers better understand if a student is struggling or falling behind.

Some examples of integrating online and in-class activities: Online activities can prepare students for in-class activities and vice versa – Students work online on group projects and then meet face-to-face to plan and rehearse their final group project presentation.

Blended learning shifts the teacher's role from knowledge provider to coach and mentor. This shift does not mean that teachers play a passive or less important role in students' education. Quite the contrary—with blended learning, teachers can have an even more profound influence and effect on students' learning.

While an online method of education can be a highly effective alternative medium of education for the mature, self-disciplined student, it is an inappropriate learning environment for more dependent learners.

Online learning is great for those who want to manage studies with work and other life activities. With adjustable schedules and less burden, they can learn with ease. Classrooms require more discipline and active participation. Teachers get greater command over students in a traditional learning environment.

For most students, the research finds, online schooling brought down test scores. But students whose families had a high preference for remote learning saw an improvement, possibly because these students learn best at their own pace or with less social pressure.

“Many students, however, report online classes as being easier than, or only as difficult as, in-person classes.” Lee, who has taught in distance learning settings, explains that the development of virtual classes is up to the instructor and the institution. For example, some online courses are self-paced.