Innovation often results from the blending of things that previously existed separately. Before the era of smartphones, we had computers, touch screens, and cellphones, but blending them created a whole new way of interacting with technology. Today, we’ll dive into an approach to learning that similarly blends multiple approaches to create an even better experience.
First, imagine a stereotypical classroom-based learning experience, whether in school, college, or a professional setting. A common picture includes an instructor at the front of the room sharing information with the learners, possibly with the help of a slide deck. In a best-case scenario, the instructor is engaging and dynamic, and the learners are listening with rapt attention. Possibly, the picture that comes to mind is an instructor who seems a bit bored and learners who are losing in the fight to keep focused.
If either of these are what you picture, you may be surprised by the dynamic, engaging atmosphere you’d find in many classrooms today, particularly in leading educational institutions. This transformation is largely due to the adoption of active learning principles. This shift is rooted in decades of research on how people learn, which shows that students learn more effectively when they actively engage with material rather than passively listen to lectures.To accomplish this transformation, many have changed their approach to in-class and out-of-class learning activities.
Flipping the script
This new kind of classroom experience often includes things like peer discussions, group problem-solving, and many other interactive tasks that allow students to process and apply information in real time. In the past, one common reason instructors would give for not spending precious class time on these kinds of activities was that students just weren’t prepared to engage that way, as they weren’t familiar enough with the basics to make this kind of deeper work possible.
To deal with this issue, many instructors moved to a “flipped classroom,” where students engage with foundational content (such as readings or videos) before class. Specifically, in these environments, pre-class digital content prepares students for in-class activities that require higher-order thinking—an approach that leverages the best of physical and digital worlds.
This has become much more prevalent in part due to expanding access and familiarity with educational technologies. For example, the pandemic helped normalize the idea that an instructor could deliver lectures online, via a tool like Zoom, that would normally be done in the class. Many instructors went a step further, recording themselves delivering a lecture and then allowing learners to watch it as homework at their convenience. This opened the door to a more substantial rethinking of the best use of class time.
A new landscape for lifelong learning
During the pandemic and soon after, much of the conversation around hybrid learning focused on traditional education. However, its potential for workplace learning is also significant and, perhaps, more critical to success. As industries evolve evermore rapidly, professionals must engage in lifelong learning to stay competitive. Hybrid learning offers a way for employees to balance self-paced online learning with in-person, hands-on sessions where they can apply new knowledge in collaborative settings.
While there is a lot of potential for hybrid learning, some approaches, particularly for the asynchronous portion of class, have already begun to feel a bit dated, relying heavily on video lectures and static digital content. This can limit the potential for engagement. However, there are exciting possibilities that leverage AI-powered learning, real-time analytics, and peer-to-peer learning networks to significantly improve how both instructors and learners experience hybrid learning.
1. AI-powered individual learning
As we’ve discussed in an earlier post, one interesting use case for artificial intelligence is in live, on-demand tutoring. Intelligent learning assistants could be embedded into the digital elements of hybrid courses, providing real-time feedback and guidance. In particular, these AI systems could help make the parts of the learning experience in which students are working by themselves more effective by answering students’ questions, suggesting additional resources based on their performance, and highlighting areas that need more attention.
2. Real-time analytics for instruction
An additional benefit of these kinds of systems could be in the data they would generate. Many current-generation learning systems already aim to provide instructors with data on how well students are engaging with digital pre-class content, allowing for dynamic adjustments to in-class activities. For example, if a particular concept was misunderstood by a majority of the class, instructors can adjust their focus to spend more time on that topic, rather than sticking to a predetermined plan.
That said, next-generation versions of these kinds of analytics systems can serve more as co-pilots, collaborating with the instructor to brainstorm what they should do next. It could recommend specific kinds of activities, and even look into the data from other EdTech solutions to understand which of them are particularly well-suited to the challenges the students are facing. Similarly, when students work in class, their performance can be captured in real-time and analyzed, synthesized, and shared with the instructor to make real-time adjustments.
3. Peer-to-Peer Learning Networks
Hybrid learning doesn’t have to use the flipped classroom model, where learners work by themselves on digital learning materials prior to synching up with a live class. In the future, peer-to-peer learning systems may become more prevalent; instead of working alone, learners could spend time away from instructors collaborating in different ways. For example, intelligent algorithms could match learners with peers who share similar goals or challenges, facilitating discussions and problem solving. For professional learners, this could mean forming global networks where individuals work together on complex projects, applying course content in real-world contexts. In addition to fostering deeper understanding, this kind of collaboration provides opportunities to learn from diverse perspectives. And, from an instructor viewpoint, this activity would allow them to become more of a mentor or coach to the student, where they review individual learner progress away from class and offer feedback and guidance on what to do next.
Hybrid learning and new opportunities
Hybrid learning is a promising development, not because of flashy new tools or technology but because of its ability to foster active, engaged, and meaningful learning experiences. It is also a great environment for testing out how new tools can unlock new opportunities for productive learning. As technologies continue to evolve and new models continue to be explored and refined, look for hybrid learning to continue being a key component of the educational ecosystem.
