Data revealed: Are you getting the best Hybrid IT courses?

In today’s professional landscape, the way we approach skill development has become increasingly flexible. Alongside traditional classroom courses and fully virtual options, a third model has gained traction: hybrid IT training. But does this blended approach truly deliver an optimal learning experience?

This article explores the mechanics of hybrid courses and what students should consider before committing to a class that mixes in-person and remote attendees.

Defining the Modern Classroom: What is Hybrid Training?

While you may be familiar with instructor-led and virtual training, the "hybrid" label signifies a specific setup. In a hybrid course, the instructor teaches a class that has students physically present in the room as well as students attending remotely from their home or office.

The core of this model relies on video conferencing software, such as Microsoft Teams or Zoom, to bridge the gap between the two groups. Everyone is part of the same live session. In certain cases, even the instructor might be remote, connecting virtually to a classroom of students and other online participants.

A Practical Solution, But Is It an Effective One?

For individuals unable to travel or attend a course in person, the hybrid model offers a welcome layer of accessibility. It prevents geography from being a barrier to essential professional development.

However, the convenience it offers raises an important question: does the quality of learning hold up for everyone involved? The answer often depends on both the training provider's execution and the individual student's learning style and environment.

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The facts

One important fact to keep in mind regarding hybrid classes:

A hybrid class is an onsite class where some learners join the class remotely. The class was originally developed for onsite learners and NOT virtual learners.

First and foremost, the practicalities impact the experience:

There is no way that a virtual learner can participate in class the same way that an onsite learner can: A virtual learner asking a question to the instructor in class, will either do so by raising their hand in the online tool, or by talking out loud in the speakers of the classroom.

3 reasons for failed Hybrid Classes

A mixed bag

The Best Practice models for delivering an onsite class and a virtual class are simply too different to merge them.

Practicalities

There is no way that a virtual learner can participate in class the same way that an onsite learner can.

Focus

The instructor will be focused away from microphones on occasion to help the others with labs or questions.

What does the data say?

As you can imagine, neither option is conducive for a natural and organic conversation with the instructor and classmates.

Those same virtual learners will also be struggling to follow the conversation in the classroom, even with state of the art technology, while the instructor will also be focused away from microphones on occasion to help the others with labs or questions.

Needless to say, many of these virtual learners are likely to decide that the struggle to get their question answered is not worth the effort.

To conclude: The Best Practice models for delivering an onsite class and a virtual class are simply too different to merge them without compromising on quality. These problems all make the hybrid classroom a sensible alternative to not learning at all, but it is not a good solution.

This fact was proven by a recent study by learning solutions provider Readynez.

Data revealed

Based on more than 600 surveys among hybrid learners in 2021, the data is clear:

On a scale from 1-10, the virtual learners in an onsite class, rate their classes at a 15% lower score than their onsite classmates!

This proves that the problems we´ve highlighted previously make the hybrid classroom a sensible alternative to not learning at all, but it is not a good solution.

The training providers need some recognition of these problems, and the self-awareness should result in some candid expectation setting conversation with potential learners. Or it could mean a departure from hybrid and a return to 100% onsite or 100% virtual learning.

Time will tell, but in the meantime; make your training choice with these facts and the data in mind. Ask the question when you book a course – Is this a hybrid or a true virtual class? You don´t want to be a minority virtual learner at a classroom course!