Hybrid vs. Remote Learning
BY RIBKA SHEIKH '21
School has been in session for more than two months now, and it seems that most people have slowly adjusted to their designated track for the school year. Some are happy with their choice while others aren’t. The two programs differ widely, with hybrid students attending school in-person twice a week and remote students attending Zoom classes from home. Both schedules do their best to provide a holistic school year, but the greatest challenge for each one is effective collaboration.
The hybrid track yields itself as the more “normal” of the two since students go to school as usual. It feels like a regular school day, minus the social distancing and one-way halls. Learning in-person specifically benefits the students who prefer group work and a designated space for learning. Because the hybrid program requires students to attend school in-person, there’s more opportunity to connect with friends and interact with teachers. In fact, some special-needs children depend on in-person instruction to adequately learn the curriculum, and adding the myriad of online communication difficulties only complicates things further. Hybrid students still have Wednesday Zoom classes so that janitors can properly sanitize the school. However, even with these precautions, this type of schedule still poses a risk to students’ health, which limits their collaboration opportunities.
Lately, multiple people at ABRHS have tested positive for the virus. Close contacts must quarantine for two weeks, regardless of their COVID test results. In this situation, not all students can attend Zoom classes because some hybrid teachers teach strictly in-person. Quarantined students must self-study and catch up on assignments upon their return. Students are also sometimes placed in the remote program’s classes. The sudden shift in learning reduces the prospect of effective collaboration, as the introduction of new students instills a feeling of awkwardness and discomfort. Further, hybrid students must also take precautions in school by wearing masks at all times and staying six feet apart. The physical separation directly contradicts the idea of group work and close peer interaction. While it’s important to interact in-person, it is much easier to chat without standing an arm's length apart.
Because remote students study at home, these precautions aren’t necessary, and they don’t have to worry about coming into contact with anybody who has tested positive. In addition to avoiding COVID exposure, the remote learning program also provides adequate collaboration. While not in a physical classroom, teachers use Zoom features including the chat and reactions to engage students as much as possible.
Being at home undoubtedly can be distracting sometimes, but because your camera must be on, you still feel focused and engaged in class. My friends who chose hybrid, however, were concerned that online classes would be ineffective or too distracting for them. Clearly, the remote learning program is strictly an option for those who feel most comfortable learning virtually, while the in-person schedule is strongly preferable for those who thrive with social interaction and in-person instruction.
Ultimately, there is no “better” program; it merely depends on personal preference. Neither is perfect, but they provide viable options that accommodate personal concerns and priorities. Given that effective collaboration is the ultimate goal, each path clearly has its assets and disadvantages. It ultimately depends on the type of person you are and what works best for you.
The hybrid track yields itself as the more “normal” of the two since students go to school as usual. It feels like a regular school day, minus the social distancing and one-way halls. Learning in-person specifically benefits the students who prefer group work and a designated space for learning. Because the hybrid program requires students to attend school in-person, there’s more opportunity to connect with friends and interact with teachers. In fact, some special-needs children depend on in-person instruction to adequately learn the curriculum, and adding the myriad of online communication difficulties only complicates things further. Hybrid students still have Wednesday Zoom classes so that janitors can properly sanitize the school. However, even with these precautions, this type of schedule still poses a risk to students’ health, which limits their collaboration opportunities.
Lately, multiple people at ABRHS have tested positive for the virus. Close contacts must quarantine for two weeks, regardless of their COVID test results. In this situation, not all students can attend Zoom classes because some hybrid teachers teach strictly in-person. Quarantined students must self-study and catch up on assignments upon their return. Students are also sometimes placed in the remote program’s classes. The sudden shift in learning reduces the prospect of effective collaboration, as the introduction of new students instills a feeling of awkwardness and discomfort. Further, hybrid students must also take precautions in school by wearing masks at all times and staying six feet apart. The physical separation directly contradicts the idea of group work and close peer interaction. While it’s important to interact in-person, it is much easier to chat without standing an arm's length apart.
Because remote students study at home, these precautions aren’t necessary, and they don’t have to worry about coming into contact with anybody who has tested positive. In addition to avoiding COVID exposure, the remote learning program also provides adequate collaboration. While not in a physical classroom, teachers use Zoom features including the chat and reactions to engage students as much as possible.
Being at home undoubtedly can be distracting sometimes, but because your camera must be on, you still feel focused and engaged in class. My friends who chose hybrid, however, were concerned that online classes would be ineffective or too distracting for them. Clearly, the remote learning program is strictly an option for those who feel most comfortable learning virtually, while the in-person schedule is strongly preferable for those who thrive with social interaction and in-person instruction.
Ultimately, there is no “better” program; it merely depends on personal preference. Neither is perfect, but they provide viable options that accommodate personal concerns and priorities. Given that effective collaboration is the ultimate goal, each path clearly has its assets and disadvantages. It ultimately depends on the type of person you are and what works best for you.