Blended Education Construction: Developing a Learning Strategy that Accommodates All Learners
Get Ready to Be a Hybrid Learning Guru!
Shall we dive into the world of flexible learning? With online and remote learning becoming increasingly popular, folks still crave the human touch of traditional classrooms. Enter hybrid learning: it's the perfect blend of both!
The workforce already adores this balance, choosing hybrid work setups that mix remote work (usually from home) with traditional office work. And it's only natural that learners yearn for the same autonomy in their educational journey.
But, what exactly is hybrid learning, and how does it diverge from blended learning? And once you're up and running, how can you connect the dots between in-person and digital learners? Let's explore together!
We'll start by examining the evolutions of work, learning, and education over the past half-decade. Ready to become a hybrid learning hero? Then let's hit the ground running...
Embracing the Hybrid Work Culture
Hybrid work culture, once considered niche, is now a mainstream employment trend. This flexible model allows employees to divide their time between remote work and traditional office-based work, with the crucial ability to thrive at either location.
According to Gallup, half of full-time US workers enjoy roles that can be completed remotely. Out of these, 26% are fully remote, 55% are hybrid, and just 19% stick to office work. In the UK, 63% of employees work remotely, either completely or partially [Gallup, Statista].
Fast forward to 2019 before the world changed, only 4.7% of employees worked from home. Fast-forward to today, it's obviously the norm. But the big question is—what do employees think about it all? Well, according to Oyster:
"Five years on from the start of the pandemic, hybrid work has emerged as the frontrunner, both in terms of actual practice and employee preference."
- Gallup reports that 60% of employees prefer a hybrid work setup.
- Buffer states that 98% of employees prefer to work remotely (at least some of the time).
- Statista reveals that merely 1% of IT employees desire a fully office-based job.
It's hard to reconcile these stats with the ongoing push for a return-to-office (think Amazon, JPMorgan Chase, Dell, etc.). Indeed, per a KPMG survey, 83% of CEOs expect a full return to office within the next three years.
While the thought of a full return to office seems resolute, the world of work has undoubtedly shifted forever. On the education front, change comes faster. For instance, 28% of courses are now hybrid, rising from a mere 4.1% in 2019.
Put simply, these past few years have driven us to make our lives more location-proof. That's why hybrid learning has exploded in popularity and landed firmly on our 2025 L&D trends hotlist. But, what exactly is hybrid learning?
What is Hybrid Learning?
During our research, we uncovered a significant gap in understanding when it comes to the definition and placement of hybrid learning within the learning landscape. Most definitions center on mixing modalities (i.e., online and classroom learning), but this falls short of creating a distinct model.
What we need is a spotlight on learners' power to decide their participation mode during a live event. So, here's our take:
Hybrid learning is a flexible educational setup where learners can complete a learning experience through online or remote learning, in-person classroom instruction, or a combination of both. The goal? To ensure learners' location doesn't hinder their ability to make progress.
Visualize a live workshop happening in a physical space. In a hybrid learning setup, some team members attend in person, while others join remotely via a video conferencing platform. As a result, geographical differences vanish, and everyone can access the same learning offering.
While online tools undoubtedly augment traditional learning in this setup (think additional materials, session recordings, online discussions, and more), the core of a true hybrid experience lies in learners' ability to participate effectively, regardless of location.
Hybrid Learning vs Blended Learning
So, you might be thinking, "Hybrid learning? Isn't that just blended learning by another name?" Well, there are overlapping aspects, but they are distinct learning strategies. Blended learning concentrates on leveraging technology to enhance in-person instruction through a planned combination of face-to-face learning with online modules, discussions, assessments, and so on.
In a blended learning model, students typically need to participate in either the in-person or online parts. This contrasts with hybrid learning's aim of a consistent experience for everyone, regardless of where they are.
From a different angle:
| Feature | Blended Learning | Hybrid Learning ||---------------------------|----------------------|--------------------|| Definition | Mix modes (tech + IRL) | Flexible participation || Key Features | Integrated workshops with tech components | Choose in-person, remote, or a mix || Structure | Structured, planned, and defined | Consistent experience for all || Purpose | Enhance classroom learning with online tools | Allow learners to choose their participation mode |
With this crystal-clear distinction, let's delve into the benefits of hybrid learning and how to implement it in your organization!
The Perks of Hybrid Learning
Each learning approach has its pros and cons. For instance, classroom learning offers the potential for hands-on experience and strong collaboration. Remote learning eliminates location barriers and widens access.
In essence, hybrid learning capitalizes on the advantages of both approaches, while minimizing some of their drawbacks. Here's a summary:
- Fantastic Flexibility: Students choose their learning environment, removing classroom restrictions while preserving the option for in-person learning. This boosts accessibility and accommodates various learning preferences.
- Amazing Autonomy: Offering learners control produces phenomenal outcomes, such as doubling engagement rates.
- Heightened Engagement: Combining choice and convenience boosts both learner participation and satisfaction rates.
- Lovely Balance: The option to learn online grants students the flexibility to balance education with work, family, and other commitments.
- Smart Cost Cutting: Despite needing a physical space, hybrid learning reduces overall learning footprint and lowers costs by optimizing space use.
In light of these compelling benefits, it's easy to envision the enormous possible impact of hybrid learning on your organization. Just consider Imperial College's astounding 84% satisfaction score, as eloquently stated by Professor Ian Walmsley:
"Hybrid learning works. It costs serious money, but the potential impact – and wider reach – is thrilling. Universities must change to deliver an education fit for the future."
The same applies to workplace learning.
Bonus Resources: Discover a wealth of relevant insights in our L&D Professional's Handbook. Download Now!
Incorporating technology and self-development in the hybrid learning environment enables learners to access education flexibly, enhancing their lifestyle choices. As the workforce appreciates hybrid work setups that offer a balance of remote and traditional office work, learners are also gravitating towards similar autonomy in their educational journey.
Embracing hybrid learning strategies in education-and-self-development programs will empower learners by granting them the flexibility to make progress regardless of their location. The aim is to leverage technology to create a consistent and seamless learning experience for both in-person and remote learners, ultimately resulting in heightened engagement, increased accessibility, and improved learning outcomes.
