When I was a kid (which was not long ago), many movies were created in futuristic era and I remember thinking our world will not be surrounded with so much technology in a million year from now. Well, that many millions sped into within few years! Technology slowly creeped into my childhood and now for my personal use, I would immerse into many social platforms such as texting, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and blogging. However, I did not foresee that the social media platforms could be applicable to our education. I always thought technology would be more prevalent in business, military, and medical industries but like many other industries, education needed to follow the technological trends to provide latest skills and information to the new generation of learners. That being said, one of the latest trends in education is Hybrid classroom and Flipped classroom.
Hybrid Classroom is a situation where a higher education learner enrolls in a course or program that utilized a combination of online learning and in-class or traditional classroom setting. In some cases it is known as "blended learning". A hybrid classroom is a detailed, planned, and organized sequences of instructions and online learning materials or activities. For example, I am employed at a vocational school that is a distance online learning program. The school is geared for those who are interested in becoming Registered Massage Therapist. In addition to the online component, the students have a choice to attend school weekly, some weekends, or monthly depending on their lifestyles. Some are full time worker or parents and weekends would be best for them. Some students live outside the city or province, would register the monthly class, and others would opt for weekly. Whichever the schedule students choose to register in, they must attend the school 4 days per month for two years for in-class instructions and learning. The rest of the time they do the homework on their own via online, textbooks, module binders, websites, and practicing massage skills on their family and friends. This program is suitable for motivated and committed individuals who can balance their time between their personal, professional and student lives.
Hybrid classroom is a new and growing trend and many people seem to like this concept for many reasons.
Pros:
- a reduction of travel time
- self-paced to do their homework and learn the materials
- flexibility in their lifestyles
- learners do not have to sit in class for long periods of time
- instructors minimize their lecture time,
- instructors provide active-learning assignments such has journals, discussion forums, case studies, reports, online group activities, blogging, create a video or power point presentations, and online quizzes.
- reviewing anything posted online as often they like such as discussion forums, podcasts, and videos
Hybrid classroom may have the best qualities of both world of learning and instructions, there are some disadvantages particularly for the learners:
Cons:
- slow learning progression
- not connecting with the active learning materials
- overwhelmed with online work
- apprehensive of computer
- limited face-to-face interaction with other students and instructors
- poor time management
- weak organization skills
- may not be involved in discussion forums as well as in class
Flipped Classroom is another concept that can be confusing with Hybrid Classroom because there is a computer involved and a traditional classroom as well. However,the difference is that it is categorized as instructional tool for elementary and high school. Originally it was designed to have lectures condensed in short online videos for students who missed school for the day. The students who were absent can catch up by watching the online lecture video at home and are caught up in their in-class lessons. Eventually many subject matter expertise teachers were adopting this idea because this reduce lecture time and maximize more hands on learning activities. It was a phenomenal success at secondary level because teachers were able to talk and assess every individuals in their classrooms and observe them progress successfully. The students (both introverts and extroverts)were involved in the subjects and asking more questions which noticeably becomes a student-learning center education. The students are enriching their learning progression.
Flipped Classroom concept has great many advantages.
Pros:
- student-centered learning
- student collaboration increase
- lectures are available online
- parents engaged and can assist their children if needed
- reduce lecture time in class
- more time for hands on learning activities in class
Cons:
- students have no access to computer at home
- students may have to stay after school longer than expected
- students may not be prepare to participate in-class activities since did not watch online lectures beforehand
- not all students can learn online effectively
- if all subjects are flipped classes, the students need to be with computer for longer amount of time per day
- some teachers are technology-illiterate and unable to create their own online lecture videos.
- relying on another teacher's online lecture videos that may not be in-sync with the current teacher's teaching style.
Flipped Classroom is great for elementary and high school education and also for students to be familiar with online education as for many who want to continue to higher learning will easily transition to advanced technology infused education.
I hope you are enlightened with the two concepts. For additional information, please refer to my references below.
References:
http://www.worldwidelearn.com/education-articles/hybrid-education.html
http://education.seattlepi
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flipped_classroom
http://educationnext.org/the-flipped-classroom/
http://www.teachthought.com/uncategorized/10-pros-cons-flipped-classroom/
