“We shouldn’t force those students to learn the same way we did 10 years ago”

Ger DriesenJanuary 8, 2016Learning

The difference between blended and hybrid learning

Back in the day learning was something that was done more or less the same at each school. Students sat down, listened to their teacher, took notes and did tests and exercises. Those who were good at this were lucky and probably got good grades. But if you had a hard time following classes like this, well, that was just too bad.

Different students, different learning

The generation of students we have now (Generation WiFi) changes this way of learning. They have been brought up with technology. Scientists discovered that this lifelong exposure leads to their brains developing differently. That is why it is often seen that students, no matter what their level is, struggle to just sit through a lecture and take notes. We shouldn’t force those students to learn the same way we did 10 years ago, but we need to provide them with a form of education that challenges them to bring out the best in them. Luckily, educators are starting to understand that.

The solution: blended learning

This form of education is called blended learning and can be described as a combination between offline and online learning (need inspiration? Download the blended learning cookbook). Students nowadays need an interactive environment to learn in. This environment, for example a learning platform, is the online aspect. But besides that students still need a sense of purpose and control over what they are learning, which will be provided by the teacher during offline contact hours.

Another term that is being used more often these days is hybrid learning. At first sight hybrid learning and blended learning seem the same but that is not the case. Blended learning focuses on the combination between offline and online learning, whereas hybrid learning is about finding the right mix for you out of all the possibilities in learning, no matter if they are offline or online.

Take a look at the blended learning guide if you want more information about blended learning.

Blended and hybrid learning in aNewSpring

aNewSpring believes that blended and hybrid learning both will be very effective because of the synergy that is created between different ways of studying. Blended learning utilises the best online tools to support a teacher-led classroom, but young learners are also encouraged to explore and follow their own paths with computer based modules. A trainer can bring those lessons to life and give them meaning. Hybrid learning focuses less on the technology and more on the most effective way to deliver a course to learners, which is different for every company.

In our platform, we’ve integrated hybrid learning functionalities with blended learning functionalities. We want to offer training providers the option to combining offline and online learning, either for blended learning of for hybrid learning purposes. Since hybrid learning is gaining popularity we want to provide our customers to choose for themselves about what kind of learning we can support them with.

Continue reading about blended learning, here.

About the author

Ger Driesen

Loves to connect people, ideas and inspiration in the global learning community.

On the wish-list to learn: Forging (yes, as forging steel)

Feeling inspired?

Download the Inspiring Learning Cookbook

Today there are more opportunities to create inspiring learning journeys than ever before. The Inspiring Learning Cookbook will help you design blended learning concepts that outperform your traditional training program. Mix and match the ingredients and create your own inspiring learning recipe!

Get the e-book

The Inspiring Learning Cookbook is the perfect step in the door. It explains the basic steps of developing an online (blendeded) learning course.

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“We shouldn’t force those students to learn the same way we did 10 years ago”

The difference between blended and hybrid learning

Different students, different learning

The solution: blended learning

Blended and hybrid learning in aNewSpring

Ger Driesen

Feeling inspired?

Check out more content like this

Secrets to a successful blended learning strategy

Get more from your blended learning journeys

These are the best learning journeys of the year

About us

The learning platform

Learning methods