BLENDED
The evolution of learning facilities
Amanda Albrecht remembers a conversation she had with a longtime supervisor who told her something that would forever become a staple in how she viewed the educational landscape: “It’s not about the stuff.” What her colleague wanted Albrecht, who now serves as the Digital Learning Consultant for the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, to see was that when you look between the lines, while the hardware and software are necessary, education is about people and relationships.
And today, more than ever, that lesson is critical. In the wake of the disruptions caused by the global pandemic, today’s K-12 school districts are working overtime to adopt hybrid learning models that combine in-person and remote education. These models have not only been monumental shifts of change for today’s K-12 administrators, but for students and parents, too.
According to the “New Year, New Schools U.S. Parents View K-12 School Choice as the ‘New Normal’ in 2024,” study by the National School Choice Awareness Foundation (NSCAF) and National School Choice Resource Center (NSCRC), parents are seeking different types of education for their children. The poll shows that 72% are “considering,” 63% are “searching for,” and 44% “have selected” a new K-12 school option recently.
Forty-nine percent of parents prefer their children to learn from home at least one day a week, while 10% want full-time homeschooling.
— “New Year, New Schools U.S. Parents View K-12 School Choice as the ‘New Normal’ in 2024,” National School Choice Awareness Foundation, National School Choice Resource Center
NSCAF/NSCRC data also reveals that 49% of parents prefer their children to learn from home at least one day a week, while 10% want full-time homeschooling. The remaining 39% want their children to learn at home one to four days a week, with the remaining days on a school campus.
“Systemic change can be scary and slow,” Albrecht says. “Trust the process and surround yourself with educators who believe that all students can learn and achieve at a high level. Buy-in from partners, including educators, parents, students and community entities should be the focus before major changes are made. In the end, evolving school facilities and transitioning to a hybrid learning model helps prepare students for the remote and hybrid work models that are prevalent in the workforce and are not going away any time soon.”
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction provides guidance and technical assistance that supports public elementary and secondary education in the state. The department also offers a broad range of programs and professional services to local school administrators and staff, and reviews and approves educator preparation programs and licenses teachers, pupil services personnel, administrators and library professionals.
In a time when the options are plenty, there comes the question of whether the transition to hybrid learning impacts student engagement and academic performance. Albrecht says it depends heavily upon several factors, including the transition timeline, the setting of policies and procedures regarding hybrid learning, proper training of educational staff, and time to teach students the ins and outs of hybrid learning. If those factors are considered and the transition is intentional and well-planned out, pandemics aside, the impacts can be very positive for a number of reasons.
“Hybrid learning provides students with the flexibility to engage with course materials at their own pace, accommodating diverse learning styles and needs,” Albrecht says. “This flexibility can enhance engagement by allowing students to revisit difficult concepts and advance through materials they find easier. While it may seem counterintuitive, students in hybrid settings can benefit from increased interaction with their peers and instructors through digital platforms, fostering a more collaborative learning environment. This is especially true when students are in grades 6-12 and communicating and collaborating through a digital platform may alleviate social awkwardness.”
“Hybrid learning provides students with the flexibility to engage with course materials at their own pace, accommodating diverse learning styles and needs.”
— Amanda Albrecht, Digital Learning Consultant, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
Hybrid learning also can boost a student’s intrinsic motivation by offering more control over the learning process. Albrecht says this autonomy is aligned with Wisconsin’s emphasis on personalized learning paths, as reflected in the state’s academic standards. “The impact of a transition to hybrid learning on academic performance can vary significantly based on several factors, including students’ self-regulation skills, access to technology, and the quality of instruction in both online and in-person components. With that in mind, as students navigate hybrid learning environments, they can develop crucial digital literacy skills.”
For example, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) highlights the importance of these skills in preparing students for the modern workforce, contributing to their long-term academic and career success. “One challenge of hybrid learning is ensuring equitable access to technology and high-speed internet, especially in rural areas,” Albrecht says. “Wisconsin’s DPI has made strides in addressing this issue through initiatives aimed at closing the digital divide, but disparities still exist.”
Sidestepping the challenges
In any situation where the case for hybrid learning is made, there can be challenges to redesign or repurpose a school’s facilities to accommodate the process. For example, one challenge involves ensuring all students have access to the necessary technology, including reliable internet and devices.
Research shows that disparities in access can exacerbate existing educational inequities, which means school districts must invest in upgrades to their infrastructure in areas like high-speed internet and robust Wi-Fi coverage. This not only involves investing in equipment, but also ensuring it is properly installed and serviced.
Another challenge is classroom design. Traditional classroom layouts must be reimagined to support both in-person and remote learners. This may involve creating flexible spaces that can be easily reconfigured to suit different teaching modalities. “While it isn’t always ‘about the stuff’ in education, classrooms that are equipped with interactive whiteboards, cameras, microphones and other technology facilitate seamless hybrid learning,” Albrecht says. “Ensuring that these tools are user-friendly and effectively integrated into the learning environment is also crucial.”
One of the most important challenges is educator training and support. Teachers need extensive training to effectively deliver hybrid instruction, which not only includes technical skills, but also pedagogical strategies tailored to hybrid learning environments. The school districts in Wisconsin are fortunate enough to have the resources, thanks in part to a partnership with the Wisconsin Digital Learning Collaborative (WDLC) and Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
“Providing continuous professional development and technical support is essential to helping educators adapt to new technologies and teaching methods,” Albrecht says. “Student engagement and equity can be challenges to consider. Hybrid learning requires innovative strategies to keep both in-person and remote students engaged. This includes designing interactive and collaborative activities that can be conducted both online and offline. Student equity is also a key player in this equation. Schools need to address barriers such as access to quiet study spaces, technology and learning support services for all of their students.”
While hybrid learning is not only revolutionizing the educational landscape, it is transforming the very fabric of school facilities. As classrooms evolve to incorporate advanced technology and flexible learning spaces, schools will become dynamic environments that cater to diverse learning needs. This evolution underscores the importance of adaptability in education, ensuring that students are prepared for an ever-changing world.
