Overview:
A rotational hybrid learning model offers a multidimensional solution to the challenges in public education.
Remote learning during the pandemic revealed significant limitations and lasting effects on student learning. Contemplating the reintroduction of elements related to remote learning can evoke post-traumatic stress for educators, parents, and students alike. However, it is crucial to recognize its efficacy was compromised due to the abrupt transition, where nearly 93% of teachers had never taught online before the pandemic. Insufficient preparation, resources, and training were substantial factors related to the shortcomings of remote learning. This historical disruption to learning highlighted preexisting structural challenges.
The challenges combating learning loss, ongoing budget cuts, and a mass teacher shortage demonstrate how the American public school system is at a crucial juncture. Navigating education’s new normal necessitates systemic changes. Reimagining classrooms and utilizing a rotational hybrid learning model focused on digital curriculum courses, can alleviate several challenges, address factors contributing to the teacher shortage, and better support student needs.
The Teacher Shortage
Unresolved issues regarding school funding have persisted for decades, exacerbating other long-standing struggles. The pandemic marked a tipping point, culminating in an unprecedented exodus of educators leaving the profession. According to USA Today, 86% of school districts reported difficulties filling positions last school year, and “many potential hires were deterred by low salaries.” The National Education Association, reports “When adjusted for inflation, teachers are making less than they did ten years ago.” Subsequently, more than half of all teachers have a second job.
Simultaneously, teacher workload has increased, the achievement gap is widening, and a rise in disciplinary issues is being reported. Teachers report higher job dissatisfaction, and a staggering 85% of teachers consider their jobs unsustainable. Unsurprisingly, teacher burnout is a significant factor, and only 27% of teachers feel confident they will be in the profession in five years. Worsening this scenario, substantial budget cuts were announced in March for the upcoming school year.
Reimagining Classrooms
Addressing the complexities in the educational system necessitates reimagining classrooms. Traditional schools are rooted in outdated practices from centuries ago. For too long, we have been reacting to demands in the educational landscape by implementing mismatched solutions as temporary fixes. Instead, a paradigm shift to proactively create systemic change is crucial. Reimagining classrooms involves utilizing innovative resources and leveraging modern technology to address the limitations of traditional education. The flexibility of hybrid and blended learning models lends itself to being executed in various ways and is a multidimensional solution to education’s new normal.
Components of a Successful Rotational Hybrid Learning Model
Standards-Aligned Digital Curriculum Courses
A successful rotational hybrid learning model uses a digital curriculum consisting of fully asynchronous online courses as the core instruction rather than a supplemental tool. Educational technology has evolved, creating robust solutions to meet growing teacher demands and student needs. Companies like Pearson, Stride, Imagine Learning, Lincoln Learning, and StrongMind offer courses that are engaging, customizable, and aligned with state curriculum standards. Students work on courses at their own pace while teachers monitor progress, identify concepts students are struggling with, and determine intervention-style methods to facilitate learning.
Rotational In-person and Remote Learning
Asynchronous remote learning can be accessed from home or supervised within the school, and in-person learning is scheduled based on teacher discretion. In-person learning can be routine, according to student progress, or by identification of specific needs. They can be utilized to check understanding, facilitate interventions, or extend learning.
Gradual Implementation with Training and Development
94% of teachers are open to the change that hybrid learning models can facilitate, as long as necessary training and resources are available. Transitioning to rotational hybrid learning will require significant planning by school leaders and collaboration among educators to organize and develop new processes. Additionally, shifting pedagogies requires time for training and refining practices. Therefore, a gradual implementation to effectively redesign and implement workflows is essential.
Benefits of Hybrid Learning
Hybrid learning reduces teacher workload
Hybrid learning addresses the teacher shortage crisis by managing challenges in the classroom. Employing digital curriculum courses alleviates teacher workloads by reducing curriculum planning, developing lesson plans, creating assessments, and grading. The rotation between in-person and remote learning reduces class sizes with small-group learning, where fewer disciplinary issues typically arise. Digital curriculum can reduce administrative tasks, taking up to 60% of a teacher’s time.
Hybrid learning facilitates personalized learning.
This hybrid learning model facilitates personalized learning and fosters progress for all students by efficiently identifying student needs for differentiated instruction and targeting interventions to overcome learning obstacles. This method assists the growing challenge teachers face with the varied needs of learners and ensures seamless learning. Hybrid learning not only provides additional time to assist struggling students, but an asynchronous digital curriculum is learner-centered and empowers students to progress and complete courses, creating additional time to explore other opportunities.
Hybrid learning lends to greater student enrichment opportunities.
As schools improve their processes, hybrid learning becomes increasingly more effective, and students will find more time for enrichment opportunities. These opportunities may encompass college and career readiness, internships, social-emotional support, extracurricular exploration, access to remote courses not available within the school, or additional time for students to manage their commitments.
Conclusion
Despite the ineffectual outcomes of remote learning during the pandemic, it is crucial to acknowledge why it was unsuccessful. Dismissing its value entirely ignores innovative solutions that can alleviate struggles contributing to the crisis in education. The continued lack of progress by political leaders to address the growing challenges within education underscores the urgency for districts to initiate systemic change.
A rotational hybrid learning model offers a multidimensional solution to the challenges that have created a new normal in education and can be implemented within the preexisting system. There is no better time than the present to reimagine classrooms as districts explore ways to meet students’ needs with limited resources. Pioneering districts, including Dallas ISD, Spring ISD, Howe Public Schools, Stephenville ISD, and Palisades School District have begun instituting variations of this hybrid learning model as educators embrace hybrid learning as the future of education.
Dr. Laura Ragsdale-Villaflor has over twenty years of experience in schools throughout the Greater Houston Area and has been recognized for her outstanding contributions and excellence in education. She earned her Doctorate from Texas A&M and studied the impact of institutional inequities on the academic achievement of students of color. She also holds a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Houston and a Bachelor’s in political science from the University of Texas at Austin. Alongside her roles in education, she is an Educational Consultant, serves on multiple boards, including the Education Committee for Greater Houston Partnerships, and is a devoted mom.