The Top 4 Benefits of Hybrid Learning Engagement

The hybrid workplace is here to stay. WeLearn’s last post on hybrid-remote work explained how employees and learners all over the world are adjusting to this new location-flexible arrangement that allows them to combine onsite and offsite work. 

With hybrid work on the rise, it’s critical for learning organizations and businesses to rethink what hybrid learning engagement looks like. But what is hybrid learning engagement, and why should learning organizations care? 

This article will explore the concept of hybrid learning engagement, highlight what it means for learning organizations, and walk you through four of its most important benefits. 

Defining Hybrid Learning and Learning Engagement 

What is Hybrid Learning Engagement? Hybrid learning is more than just throwing your old course content into a zoom room. Successful hybrid learning models combine the most beneficial parts of face-to-face and online learning to create a more flexible, personal, and effective learning experience: 

• Hybrid learning, and subsequently hybrid learning engagement, is an educational model where some learners engage with material in-person, while others access material from a remote location. 
• Hybrid learning can include asynchronous learning elements, such as online exercises and pre-recorded video instruction which are used to support face-to-face sessions.

What It Means For Learning Organizations: Learners are going to have new needs, challenges, and expectations as they navigate online and offline platforms. The shift towards hybrid-remote learning and working is an opportunity for learning organizations to shift their goals and think about how they can better serve their audience. It’s important to keep in mind:

• Learners Need Support
• Learners Need Accessible Content
• Learners Need The Best of Both Worlds

When creating course content that is tailored for online and in-person engagement, take into account what resources you will need for each lesson and plan accordingly. But why should learning organizations care about hybrid learning engagement, and how can it benefit learners? Read on to discover how hybrid learning promotes flexibility, health, and engagement. 

Flexible Course Content Makes For Successful Learners

Increased Flexibility: A strictly remote or a strictly in-person learning engagement plan won’t accommodate the needs of your audience. With flexible scheduling, learners will be able to find a work-flow that suits not only their professional needs but their personal needs as well: 

• A recent study found that 69% of learners said that flexible work options were one of the “most important factors” they consider when choosing a job. 

This statistic indicates that flexibility is a top priority for learners and employees alike. By giving learners the option to engage with materials in both a remote and face-to-face setting, you’ll help them achieve a better work-life balance and make your content development strategy more appealing to the masses. 

Healthier Learners: When you’re tired, stressed, and overwhelmed at work, it’s difficult to focus on learning new things and putting your best foot forward. Successful learning organizations know this and know that it’s in their best interest to keep learners healthy. 

• Flexible, hybrid learning engagement helps learners sleep better, feel healthier, and experience less stress overall. 
• Learning and work flexibility are also associated with increased productivity and job satisfaction. 

Nobody wants to feel like they have to choose between their job and their personal life. Hybrid learning engagement allows people to thrive both in and outside of the office, without having to sacrifice their happiness. 

Hybrid Work and Learning Engagement Opportunities 

Increased Engagement: No one learner is the same, and that’s why the hybrid approach is so effective. Hybrid learning increases engagement for all learners because it caters to a variety of learning styles and can adapt to everyone’s preferences. 

• More productive when working alone? The remote element of hybrid learning allows you to set your schedule and work from the comfort of your home.
• Remote working is often best for learners who need alone time to organize their thoughts. 
• More productive when you’re with others? The face-to-face portion of this method allows you to be social and share a space with your team. 
• Face-to-face work is often helpful when brainstorming for a group project. 

Increased Access To Learning: When in-person learning engagement is the only option available, learners are often constrained to one area and don’t have much freedom to move around. Hybrid learning engagement offers a more inclusive design, as it allows a greater number of people to participate from different locations. 

Hybrid Learning Engagement Starts Now

The difference between a good and a great learning organization is the emphasis they place on the learner. By embracing a hybrid learning engagement model, you’ll help your audience be more engaged, fulfilled, and eager to access new knowledge. 

Have you ever worked with a hybrid learning model? If so, how did it impact your professional and personal life for the better? Let us know here at WeLearn, where together, we learn.