In this blog post, we explore the benefits of a hybrid learning model and how Bahçeşehir University implemented the first hybrid learning centre in Turkey, using the itslearning VLE as a core EdTech tool.
What is hybrid learning?
Hybrid learning is a pedagogical approach that facilitates instruction equally online and face-to-face in the classroom. This can include staggered learning, or cohort learning, where one group of students is on campus while the other is remote. Online learning can be both synchronous and asynchronous. Think of it as an extension of blended learning.
With a hybrid model, teaching and learning take place both in a physical environment and remotely. ‘Seat time’ in a traditional classroom is greatly reduced, and there is more of a shift to teaching and course delivery online. Digital activities and pre-recorded video instruction are sometimes included to support face-to-face classroom sessions.
In order to be successful, hybrid courses need to be tailored to meet students’ needs and combine in-person and online learning in the best possible way. To learn more about hybrid learning, download our free Hybrid Learning eBook.
A brighter future in higher ed with hybrid learning
The Covid-19 pandemic has encouraged universities to adapt and change the way their courses are delivered, meeting the social distancing guidelines. Moving to a hybrid learning approach has allowed them to continue running courses virtually. The main benefits include:
- Improved efficiency, control and security of the learning environments, both remotely and in the classroom.
- Educators can deliver consistent lessons and interactions of the same quality in any environment – something that is especially important in the event of any disruption to regular classroom learning, as we have seen with the recent pandemic.
- Universities can also deliver a more personalised learning experience and move away from the more traditional classroom teaching experience.
- Students can actively participate, collaborate and give feedback in an accessible and inclusive way, whether learning in person or remotely.
- Teachers will be able to monitor their students’ progress and offer extra assistance and support wherever needed, giving them a better understanding of their learning levels.
- Students can achieve better learning outcomes overall, whenever and wherever they learn.
Bahçeşehir University leads with the first hybrid learning center in Turkey
Bahçeşehir University (BAU) is based in Istanbul with more than 70,000 users and offers more than 5,000 courses. The prestigious university has been using the itslearning VLE for more than 10 years among other technological tools to deliver high quality of education.
At the start of the pandemic, Bahçeşehir University realised that they needed a sustainable education model that could integrate a mix of education technology, video conferencing software and a learning platform to ensure that their students could continue to get education with the best standards.
To achieve their goals, BAU opened the first hybrid education centre in Turkey with itslearning as their primary learning platform.
Bahçeşehir University develops the first hybrid-education center in Turkey.
The centre operates as the hub for digital education and allows students to complete their studies physically present in the classroom, remotely from home, or from other universities around the world. The centre also supports the collaboration with other international organisations, connecting students with a wider range of internships and extra-curricular learning activities.
The university’s leadership trusts that hybrid education is the way forward for higher education because it is the most appropriate and efficient blend of face-to-face education and online learning.
Bahçeşehir University rector Professor Şirin Karadeniz mentioned in an article: "Our students are familiar with online courses since they begin their studies at the university, and we have been training our teachers to apply different teaching methods. But the Covid-19 pandemic has changed the way we deliver our courses, which led us to implement alternative practices.
We have students from 117 countries in our university working from home and we need to consider their needs. For this reason, we have shaped the process to allow cooperation with companies where students can do internships online in addition to the courses. We call this ‘hybrid education’, keeping balance between online and on-campus education."
How does itslearning support a hybrid learning model?
Education providers can ensure a successful approach by providing teachers and students with the tools and equipment that they need to teach and study wherever they are – and an LMS that supports hybrid learning is key to this.
Speaking at the recent itsConvention 2021, Gökay Hamdi Şenel, Educational Technologist at Bahçeşehir University Global Online said, "during the pandemic we needed itslearning more than ever to fulfil the needs of our teaching staff, as well as our students, and our unit was ready to take all the courses into distance education".
"As we were unable to deliver face to face teaching during covid, we needed to enrich our materials and course activities. We have used itslearning for announcements, messaging, planning tasks, discussion forums, sharing resources, and more. itslearning has become our core tool to make the best out of this process."
itslearning makes a hybrid learning strategy much smoother to execute. As course materials can easily be aligned to learning objectives, and combined with robust tools for communication and collaboration, we help institutions simplify the hybrid learning process from initial planning to implementation. itslearning is cloud based, which means that students and teachers can access the platform anywhere, any time and on any device.
At itslearning, we work with teachers and universities to foster their pedagogical vision. Download our free Hybrid Learning Handbook to learn more or get in touch with our team today.