Hybrid teaching means a teaching session that some of the students attend on-campus and others in digital session. Meaning that all the students are present real-time regardless of the way they are attending to the teaching. This tip tells you things that should be considered in hybrid teaching.
I have evaluated the suitability of hybrid teaching for my class
In the beginning of planning hybrid teaching it’s good to evaluate its suitability for the class. When the decision of going hybrid is made, you have to evaluate when the whole groups attendance is needed. That kind of situations could be for example classes that include active interaction.
I have a suitable classroom and equipment
In hybrid teaching participants on-campus and in digital session should be able to hear and see each other and on-going teaching which means that the classroom and the technology have to support it. The classroom should have an internet connection, a screen, a speaker, a microphone and a web camera.
I have informed students what equipment they need
Students who attend the lesson through digital session should usually have a speaker, a microphone and a web camera, which you can often find built in from a laptop. On-campus participants might also need their own laptops for example to take part in working together on a digital platform. So, the students should be informed in advance what they need to participate the lesson. Here are instructions for using live video in a virtual classroom.
I have informed students what they should do if they face technical difficulties
You should prepare for technical difficulties and consider ways to overcome them so the difficulties wouldn’t affect the on-going teaching. You can share the study materials to the students in advance so they can use them even if technical issues would appear. You can also prepare instructions for different technical difficulties, so the students know what to do if they face a problem.
I have informed students how to interact and participate in lessons
It’s important to plan and have instructions for interaction in Hybrid teaching. Interaction can be for example speaking or using chat. To support the interaction, you can use different digital platforms like Flinga or Whiteboard. It’s good to tell the students in advance of the ways of interaction that are used in the course. You should also encourage students to take the floor and tell them how it’s done.
I have informed students the lessons schedule and structure
In hybrid teaching it’s good to have a schedule and plan needed breaks beforehand. In hybrid teaching the teaching might take more time, so the schedule should be flexible.
I have help if I need it
When planning hybrid teaching it’s good to consider the possible need for help. You can get help for example from students who can help as course assistants. Course assistant could for example follow the chat and react if technical problems occur.
I have chosen digital tools for teaching
In hybrid teaching working on a whiteboard should be done in a digital platform. Good applications, where you can also work together, are for example Whiteboard, Flinga, Mural or document applications like Word.
Students are heard and noticed despite the way they are attending
Students should have equal participation possibilities to teaching session despite the way they are attending.
I have informed participants of possible recording
You can record the hybrid teaching session if it supports the goals of teaching. When you are recording teaching you need to remember, that you have to inform the participants of the recording and how it is shared. Here are instructions for using live video in a virtual classroom.