HYBRID EDUCATION BEST OF BOTH WORLDS

Online and hybrid models are now a regular part of academic programmes across many institutions

- ANINDITA ACHARYA

For Suharto Roy, distance was the only challenge in preparing for the Joint Entrance Examination. Living in a remote village in Midnapore, about 140 kilometers from Kolkata, his parents hoped to send him to a top coaching center in Kolkata. Instead, Suharto chose a hybrid learning approach with the coaching institute, combining online and in-person sessions. Today, he's studying electrical engineering at Jadavpur University.

While online learning isn't new, the Covid-19 pandemic sped up its growth, making it widely used by both students and educationists. Now, from IIMs to IITs, many institutes offer hybrid courses. This approach has transformed education and online and hybrid models are now a regular part of academic programmes across many institutions.

A study revealed that nearly 82% of students prefer a hybrid learning environment, where part of the class is online but still in small groups, allowing them to learn from scholars and teachers in remote locations. Also, 53% of students favour fully online learning after the pandemic. The study also highlighted that 59% of students feel more motivated when using hybrid learning models.