Hybrid Learning: A Complete List of Essential Resources Required

Hybrid learning is fast becoming a valuable teaching strategy for teachers around the world. However, one of the many points to be discussed is the accessibility of technology for students and how to overcome these barriers. With a little innovation and the right information, you can make hybrid learning accessible to a larger number of students.

With this complete list of essential resources, you can learn what is essential as a teacher or parent and what can be secondary. Even if all you can buy is a laptop, your student still has the right to experience the benefits and education of hybrid learning.

Hybrid learning is a great solution to adopt as many schools focus on student-centred learning, even in the distance learning process. It is also a student-first method, as many of its key benefits relate to student flexibility, inclusion, and collaboration. I should also say that it will not completely eliminate the face-to-face element that some students may need for their education.

The biggest disadvantage of hybrid learning is that it requires technology. And more often than not, technology is the key to creating a gap in accessible education for students. Knowing what is essential and what is extra is important because it allows you to shape a learning environment accessible to all students. Whether you just have a laptop or have access to interactive whiteboards, hybrid learning is great and accessible to everyone.

What is Hybrid Learning?
Hybrid learning is a type of blended learning that relies on applying simultaneous lessons taught both face-to-face and online at the same time.

Hybrid learning is very useful because it allows children who need face-to-face learning to access it, while those who want a more flexible approach can take classes online. Hybrid learning also allows for the development of a variety of teaching strategies where challenges can be overcome.

Required Technologies
Technologies for hybrid learning mean the most basic things you should have. Whether in the physical classroom or at the student's home, these are the technologies you must have for a healthy access to hybrid learning. Also note that you must have at least one or more of each technology if it is not available to you.

Computer
A desktop or laptop computer is required for hybrid learning. Many modern classrooms can only implement hybrid learning with laptops. While this is not ideal, it is still possible. Computers are important because they are powerful and versatile.

Computers are often used for note-taking, writing, and independent research. Also the great thing is that many laptops have built-in microphones and video technology. Some even have student packages that include Microsoft 365 or other software for student work. Computers are great tools as they also connect students and teachers.

Video Technology
Video technology is important for hybrid learning as many modern teaching strategies focus on student-centered learning. It supports student-centered learning as well as student collaboration and active learning. If students cannot see each other, it will be difficult for them to interact. It should be kept in mind that hybrid learning is not just recording videos, it is an active and simultaneous phenomenon.

Many lesson tools have video technology built in, but you may want to consider purchasing a separate webcam for hybrid learning. This way you can be sure your camera is of good quality so all students can easily see each other and present their work even if collaborative and shared software is not available.

Microphone
The microphone is another important element of hybrid learning. Many technological gadgets have built-in microphone options, but sometimes they can be of poor quality or pick up a lot of noise from the environment. One way to solve this is to get an external microphone.

Fortunately, a good quality external microphone can be pretty cheap or expensive. It all depends on your budget, your needs, and the field of study. For example, it would be more beneficial for a distant student to get a noise canceling microphone rather than the standard microphone in the physical classroom.

Collaborative Software
Collaborative software is not physical hardware. But it's still something to consider when creating a hybrid learning space. These can be found in a wide variety of ways, from advanced school-bought systems to free software like Google Classroom.

What's more, as you'll learn in the next section, many interactive whiteboards come with pre-installed software you can use in your classroom.

However, remote students may not be able to access the software outside of the classroom, so you should research and choose which software will be best for your students.

Classroom Display Systems
Display systems are more important for physical classrooms. This is because these systems are generally more expensive and most of their functionality will be used in the classroom. There are three main types of display systems you can consider purchasing.

• Interactive Whiteboards: It is the general name given to any large-format display system that responds to any real-time movement created on its surfaces. The functions of this board are generally used for writing, but it also allows them to be interactive screens. Having at least one interactive whiteboard in the physical classroom is a great way for students in the classroom to share their notes or brainstorm results with people far away. Even better, if remote students have tech amenities like touch laptops, they can write on the board or share notes too.
• Projectors can often be seen in many classrooms, new or old. They have good functionality and are generally affordable for most schools. Since even the smartest projectors require an external device such as a laptop, they are normally used as simple displays. However, if you need an inexpensive way to view students in the classroom but from afar, projectors are a great option and a must-have tool.
• Wireless Presentation Displays are large-scale displays that are typically used commercially or in classrooms, meeting rooms, and anywhere else they are needed. Wireless presentation screens, or WPDs for short, are not touch-enabled, so they're ideal for in-person lectures or remote lecture-style lectures, especially if the environment isn't ideal for projectors.

Also, in many blended learning settings, large screens are placed in the teacher's field of view so that teachers can address both face-to-face and distance students at the same time. Since this second screen doesn't need the functions of a touchscreen - but needs to be clearly visible in any lighting - well-placed WPDs are excellent tools for the hybrid class.

Additional Technologies
Additional technologies are not required but can increase your students' comfort and productivity. These technologies can be complementary as they are good options to stay in touch with students outside of school or to give them an extra option for assistive Educational technologies.

External Mouse
Since many laptops have built-in trackpads, external mice may not seem that important. However, these trackpads generally wear out much more quickly and are more cumbersome to use than their external counterparts. You may want to consider purchasing an external mouse to help relieve you or your student from a hassle and wrist pain. What's more, if you have a student with a physical disability, there are even different computer mice that fit better in their hands for extra comfort.

Touch Monitors
Touch monitors are a good alternative for students participating in more interactive hybrid classes. If your student has an interactive whiteboard in their physical classroom, it may be worth it to purchase an external touch monitor for them. Apart from being touch-enabled for greater collaboration in the classroom, many touchscreen monitors are built to be more ergonomic to help your student be healthier and more productive.

Tablets
Tablets are also very useful tools as they are portable and functional. However, they are much more limited than a computer, so it may not be a good idea to rely heavily on tablets for hybrid learning. However, if tablets are the best available option for you, they are a viable option as they have video and microphone options. Additionally, tablets are a great way to provide extra material or helpful notes for students who need constant communication. Tablets are ideal for reading textbooks or taking notes with an external compatible keyboard.

Smart phones
Smartphones are often overlooked as many teachers see them as a distraction rather than a tool. But smartphones are great solutions for supplementary materials and educational apps. For example, if you have a blended language learning class, you might want students to download apps like Duolingo for self-study instead of giving them homework. Smartphones can also be used to take creative videos and photos. In fact, many students are so tech-savvy that they even use their smartphones to do their homework!

Advanced Technologies
Advanced technologies are often recommended for schools with a large number of resources. Unfortunately, many schools do not receive a lot of outside funding and/or difficulty getting government funding, so while these technologies can take your classes to the next level, remember that at its core hybrid learning is the same as any other form of teaching. If you provide your students with fun and engaging activities, they will learn just as they normally do. But if you can update classes with these technologies, here are some suggestions:

Multi-Screen Layout
Multi-screen layouts are ideal for teachers using a blended learning layout who want to use more advanced collaboration strategies. This may include installing two interactive whiteboards at opposite ends of the classroom, or having two or more projectors. With this type of setup, it becomes much easier to add puzzles and similar group collaboration strategies to the lesson for students to brainstorm and create. Multi-screen layouts can even be done with multiple monitors, smartphones or tablets, depending on the desired result.

Augmented Reality
Augmented reality (AR) is becoming more and more popular in many schools around the world. This is because augmented reality is an easy way to increase interest and interaction in the lesson. But it's also important to keep in mind that AR is a relatively new technology. However, there are excellent simple augmented reality applications for educational purposes, both free and paid. For example, with the right "triggers" or "pointers", you can display things like animals or dinosaurs to help younger students with tagging. Best of all, most AR apps, although new, are easily shareable and accessible.