The Emerging Ecosystem Of Smart Hybrid Learning

Hybrid learning is the best way to fill the learning gap and present a learning model in a smarter method. COVID took an irreparable toll on education during the last few years, and close to 70 per cent of children did not attend any formally structured learning platform.

Even before the Pandemic, the world was already heading toward digital learning but in a steady mode. However, it was a model that got the spotlight during the pandemic and has now become a need.

The organised learning platform exempts students from distractions, classroom noise, hesitation, and other challenges. The metamorphoses of learning not only fringe benefits to students, but additionally become a perk for mentors.

Hybrid or Smart learning further gives parents and students the right tools to provide structured and scheduled knowledge at home. It also encourages the child to have more personalised learning in their own space and pace. The activities, curriculum, and easy access to the study material are meant to replace the traditional method and adopt the under processing method of learning, hybrid learning. The productive and best-suited environment of digital learning is developing in accord with the needs of students. The model evolves the personalised and effective alliance between students and instructors with synchronised and unsynchronised learning activities. Hybrid learning tools combined with classroom learning promises a significant impact on overall learning outcomes. It also addresses the shortcomings of our education system, which is prone to the uncertainty of extreme weather conditions, health issues of children, or mishaps at home, and where a child can continue the learning with this flexible mode of education.

The newly designed learning administers flexibility, instant feedback, customised assessments, self-directed learning, and self-paced learning with the help of AI to make it even more productive. Digital learning brings children closer to engaging platforms as it doesn't have any geographical barriers and boundaries. Hybrid learning equips with soft and hard skills along with the ability to connect with mentors and instructors anytime and from anywhere. Keeping up with technologies, our Indian student community requires different forms of teaching & learning methods with unlike formats.

In India, the EdTech industry has massively transformed and triggered post-pandemic with the support of the cheapest data in the world. The virtual learning platform enables the restrictions of location, timing, and the number of participants leading to the improved quality of learning. The one-way learning concept no longer exists now as hybrid learning has come up with multiple methods to achieve skills and degrees.

The transparency in digitised learning with technology accelerates the quality of education at a scale with more relevant and affordable services. According to a recent survey, 67.8 per cent of teachers prefer hybrid learning methods. The national education policy 2020 emphasises tech-enabled learning, ensures universal access to education, and emphasises early childhood education, Multilingualism at least till grade 5, 50 per cent increase in the Gross Enrolment Ratio, financial support for students, and emphasis on other modifications too.

Subsequently, the virtual and hybrid format will rule the 21st century, including new development in software and technology. Apart from the academic part of learning, vocational skills also will entitle further education. The learning algorithm will change from time to time at the same pace as the technology evolves.

Shaping The Future Education Industry

The EdTech sector, valued at $227 billion in 2020, is expected to reach $404 billion by 2025. While the long-term impact of the pandemic on the education industry is yet to unfold, learning models are expected to become more technology-centric.

Hybrid learning includes teaching and learning through online activities and face-to-face classroom at the same time. It integrates what we are already familiar with - classroom learning and what we have practised in the last one and a half years, online learning.

The best part is that it can benefit different types of learners - those who learn better in person with immediate feedback, and those who wish to learn in their own space by leveraging the digital tools.

With hybrid education models shaping the education sector, classrooms are no longer just a location, it must be an experience. Classrooms have seen some dramatic changes in the past few years. The traditional blackboards have been complemented with touchscreen boards. More and more multimedia has been making its way to the classroom, the classroom layouts have been changing, and more schools and colleges are installing Wi-Fi across the campuses. Teachers have witnessed the vast and tangible benefits of digital solutions. Hybrid models allow institutions to provide engagement, flexibility, personalisation, and accessibility in new and relevant ways.

(The writer is Co-founder of Kizoi, an Edtech start-up.
Views expressed are personal)