In higher education, teaching is delivered through a range of formats to support learning as effectively and flexibly as possible. These formats can be grouped, for example, into in-person, remote, blended and hybrid teaching.
In-person teaching takes place on campus in classrooms, laboratories or workshops. It enables direct interaction between the teacher and students. In-person teaching is particularly suited to practical training, group work and supervised learning.
Remote teaching is delivered via digital tools, such as online lectures, recordings, virtual learning platforms and independent assignments. It can be synchronous (real-time) or asynchronous (time-independent). Remote teaching offers flexibility and allows students to learn at their own pace, supporting independent study or enabling participation from different cities or even countries.
Blended teaching combines in-person and remote teaching. This approach has become increasingly common in higher education because it offers flexibility alongside supervised learning. For example, students might attend on-campus classes a few times per month and complete online studies in between. Blended teaching is well suited to a wide range of programme types, including degree programmes, further education and continuous learning.
Hybrid teaching refers to classes where some participants attend in person while others join remotely. Teaching occurs at a specific time but is not tied to a specific location. Hybrid delivery can take various forms: for instance, the teacher and some students may be on site while others participate online, or the teacher may teach remotely while students attend in person. Although attendance modes differ, the aim is to create a cohesive learning group. Hybrid teaching can be a temporary or a permanent arrangement, and it expands the opportunities for participation. When planning hybrid sessions, it is important to consider the needs of both groups and the role of technology and to establish clear ground rules. Interaction can be encouraged through multi-channel class discussions. Hybrid teaching is often perceived as more demanding than other formats, but the teacher’s workload can be reduced, for example, through co-teaching or by involving students in the practical aspects of delivery.