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6 Tips to improve Hybrid Learning (For Teachers)
Hybrid learning is probably something most people have not tackled yet. To decrease COVID-19 exposure risk, some schools have opted for a hybrid of distance learning and in-person learning at school.
In these situations, classes are divided into groups that alternate between attending class in person and learning online. While this solution could help keep everyone safer, many teachers are wondering how to keep it all organized.
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Here are 6 Tips to help Teachers start planning for Hybrid Learning
1. Keep it Simple
It’s important to focus on the basics. The more you can streamline things the better. Decide on the systems and tools you are most comfortable with, especially when it comes to technology.
Try to find areas where you can keep things consistent and easy. Focus on what is most valuable to student learning.
2. Teach Routines and Procedures
Spend time focusing on setting students up for success. Come up with procedures for at-home days and practice them together at school. Train them thoroughly on all the things they will need to do at school and at home.
The more structure you create around your kids the more successful they will be with all these new systems.
3. Social- Emotional Learning
We are all going through this crisis and it’s taken a toll on everyone’s mental health. It is super important this year to create a strong classroom culture where kids feel safe and supported.
Over the last few months, the stress level has increased and this will inevitably result in some behaviour issues. The more connected and supported kids feel in class, the easier it will be to manage for both you and the students.
Make social-emotional learning a core subject this year.
4. Small Groups & Data- Driven Instruction
Small group work will be key for hybrid learning. Especially considering that students that have learning gaps as a result of school closures. It’s important to take some time during the first month of school to do lots of assessments and really figure out what those gaps are.
Programs like Passnownow are super helpful with this because students are able to read Class Notes and Past Questions at home.
5. Parents Communication Systems and Boundaries
Parents will inevitably have a hard time keeping all the details of hybrid learning straight. While you’ll want to be in contact with them as much as possible, you also don’t want to be answering calls, texts, and emails at 11pm.
Provide communication hours and methods that you prefer and make that clear to families. You could try creating a Facebook group or Instagram page for your class so that you can post updates, photos, newsletters, or even do a weekly live stream to answer parent questions or review the schedule for the week.
6. Focus on Growth
Plan to start the year, by picking up where they left on in their previous grade level before schools closed. Plan to do a lot of diagnostic assessment in the first months of school and then track all that data across the weeks and months.
Take time to really celebrate growth, rather than focus on the fact that many of your students are below grade level. When kids know that their hand work are recognize their hard work and think they are doing well, they are more likely to make accelerated growth and feel confident and successful.
