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Virtual teaching methods have been a progressive approach since the pandemic and with technology being a key factor, it is providing multiple platforms to the educators and the students. With the pandemic achieving the unthinkable, it has compelled educational institutions and educators to experiment with using the internet to provide education. Traditional teaching approaches had to be revised to solve this problem, and educators began adopting new ways to use technology to make learning more engaging. Hybrid Learning is one such method. It would have seemed far-fetched last year if anyone had proposed that all learning in the months ahead would take place online, with students (and teachers) not attending any classrooms at all.

So, what exactly is hybrid learning? In simple words, hybrid learning provides a seamless transition between the physical and virtual worlds so that teachers can continue to inspire their students to learn easy-to-understand lessons. It's a form of blended learning that focuses on getting the physical classroom and virtual learning spaces closer together in order to provide a more holistic education. To put it another way, hybrid learning is a type of synchronous learning that takes place both in-person and online.

Hybrid learning, as we describe it ­ synchronous learning that takes place both in person and online at the same time ­ is becoming a part of the future of education. However, the pandemic has forever changed India's educational environment, hastening the acceptance of e-learning and hybrid learning. This allows the student to gradually adapt to a self-directed learning style, which is very successful in the long run, especially for higher education. That is why educators must accept the hybrid learning shift as a foundational transition that must be absorbed and incorporated into a wider strategy and vision for education's future. Here are some things to think about that will help you make the hybrid learning model a success:

The hybrid model of learning has paved the way for the education sector to undergo digital transformation

• Improved Flexibility-One of the most appealing features of hybrid learning is flexibility, allowing you to learn remotely or in the classroom based on your own interests as well as external factors. The COVID-19 global pandemic, which forced many schools, colleges, and universities to close on short notice or operate with drastically reduced class sizes, highlighted the need for flexibility in education. Even if COVID-19 is completely excluded from the equation, flexibility can be extremely beneficial.

• Increased Access to Learning-The most exciting aspect of hybrid learning, for those in the education sector, is its ability to increase access to learning. On a simple level, if in-person instruction is the only choice, all students must be within walking distance of the classroom for the duration of their course. This is not always the case for blended learning, which can encourage a wider number of people to participate.

• Better Use of Teaching Resources-If an academic institution wishes to provide both in-person and online learning, they would typically need to have two separate classes or even two separate courses. However, one of the main advantages of hybrid learning is the opportunity to combine the demand for all learning types, allowing a single course to appeal to both.

• Reduced Student Absenteeism-The use of hybrid learning has the ability to minimize course absences. This may happen because, while people may be physically unable to attend a classroom, they may still be able to participate in the class through remote learning, allowing them to avoid missing out entirely. Furthermore, several hybrid lessons are registered and then posted to the internet, where they can be downloaded or streamed at a later time. This means that even if students are forced to miss classes, they will be able to conveniently make up the time at a later date.

Hybrid learning is assisting in changing the way we think of education and removing many of the conventional obstacles. It can not only provide students with more versatility and independence about how they learn, but it can also improve access to education. Meanwhile, the potential to minimise absenteeism and mitigate the negative consequences of any absences will help to ensure that more students get the best out of their studies.

The hybrid model of learning has paved the way for the education sector to undergo digital transformation. Hybrid learning is the need of the hour, assisting teachers and students in delivering education across both offline and online channels. Students must take the right approach, embrace the right attitude, have access to the right resources and facilities, and avoid some of the possible pitfalls in order to get the most out of hybrid learning.

Hybrid learning is a relatively recent idea that has arisen in tandem with developments in EdTech, but it has a lot of potential. However, if you want to get the most out of blended learning, you'll need to change the way you learn in classroom-only or remote learning-only classes. Hybrid learning can be immensely beneficial if you can make these modifications, adopt the right mindset, and acquire the appropriate equipment.