Hybrid learning can enhance the learning experience remarkably: Vivek Varshney
Amidst the ongoing Hindustan Olympiad 2023, one of India’s largest Olympiads, Mr. Vivek Varshney, CEO and Co-Founder of SpeEdLabs, the powered by partner of this national-level competition, sheds light on the role and importance of hybrid learning in the post-pandemic world. In this interview, he shares that, just like Hindustan Times, SpeEdLabs too believes in providing digital skills to the New-age kids in today’s tech-driven time to boost their academic and professional careers.
Why has SpeEdLabs joined hands with the Hindustan Times for the Hindustan Olympiad?
SpeEdLabs envisions Hindustan Times as a strategic ally with a bigger goal to connect & collaborate with policymakers, civil society members and stakeholders from the government and corporate sector to exchange insights and hold a dialogue for a better future of India’s education system.
Why did SpeEdLabs choose hybrid learning system as their core area of function?
Hybrid learning is seen as the future of education because of its ability to provide flexibility and accessibility to students. With this mode of learning, SpeEdLabs is able to provide the best faculty in Tier-3 and 4 cities at an affordable cost. Students can access educational materials and resources from anywhere, at any point of time. It also provides students with the skills they need to succeed in a digital world. As technology continues to advance, the need for digital skills will only become more important.
While traditional classroom learning will always have a place in K-12 education, hybrid learning is a valuable addition that can enhance the learning experience for students and prepare them for success in the future. SpeEdLabs is on a mission to build the future of education for K-12 and Test-prep students.
What, according to you, are the major benefits of hybrid learning?
Here are some of the major benefits of hybrid learning:
Flexibility: Hybrid learning offers flexibility to both students and teachers. Students can learn at their own pace and in their own time, while teachers can deliver content in a variety of formats to suit different learning styles.
Personalization: Hybrid learning allows for personalized learning experiences. Teachers can tailor the learning experience to meet the needs of individual students, providing additional support or challenges as needed.
Cost-effective: Hybrid learning can be more cost-effective than traditional classroom learning. Online materials and resources can reduce the need for physical textbooks and other materials.
Improved engagement: Hybrid learning can improve student engagement. By incorporating online components into their lessons, teachers can offer more engaging content, such as videos, quizzes, and interactive simulations.
Access to a wider range of resources: Hybrid learning allows students to access a wider range of resources. Online materials and resources can provide students with access to up-to-date information and multimedia content that may not be available in traditional classroom settings.
Better preparation for the future: Hybrid learning prepares students for the future by equipping them with digital skills and knowledge. As technology continues to advance and the workplace becomes increasingly digital, students who have experience with hybrid learning will be better prepared for the workforce.
Overall, hybrid learning offers several benefits that can enhance the learning experience for both students and teachers.
What do teachers and students need to keep in mind while availing the hybrid mode of learning?
While hybrid learning can be a highly effective method of education, both teachers and students need to keep a few things in mind in order to get the most out of the experience. Here are some key considerations.
For Teachers:
Clear communication: Teachers need to ensure that they communicate clearly with their students about the expectations and goals of the course. This includes how to access online materials, how to submit assignments etc.
Planning: Teachers need to plan their lessons carefully, balancing online and in-person activities to ensure that students gain a comprehensive learning experience.
Assessment: Teachers need to ensure that they provide meaningful assessments of their students’ learning, both online and in-person.
Technical support: Teachers need to be prepared to provide technical support to students who may have trouble accessing or using online resources.
For Students:
Time management: Students need to be able to manage their time effectively in order to balance online and in-person learning.
Active participation: Students need to actively participate in both online and in-person learning activities, in order to get the most out of the experience.
Technical skills: Students need to have a basic level of technical proficiency in order to access and use online resources effectively.
Communication: Students need to communicate effectively with their teachers and peers, both online and in-person.
Overall, successful hybrid learning requires effective planning, consistent routines, meaningful assessment, time management, active participation, technical proficiency, and effective communication.
Tell us a bit about the different products and services of SpeEdLabs that facilitate hybrid learning.
SpeEdLabs is on the path to be India’s largest Hybrid Learning company with the pioneering efforts to bring the most efficient, high quality and affordable prices in the country. There are a lot pieces for the Hybrid Learning model to work effectively, we have solved each of them with great support from various stakeholders with long-term vision. They are:
- Hybrid classroom setup
- Highly qualified teachers + Centralized studios
- Integrated Foundation books
- Live Practice Sessions
- Individual student practice accounts
- Teachers Resources
- Student Learning Resources
- Recommendations from our AI-based Adaptive learning platform
- National-level exams (Mid-year & End-year)
- Test-prep for IIT-JEE & NEET through hybrid learning (Mock tests, Test series, unlimited practice)
What sets SpeEdLabs apart from the others of its ilk?
SpeEdLabs’ core principle is to provide deep classroom engagement with a focus on learning outcomes to ensure that students are actively learning and achieving their educational goals.
These are the few strategies that SpeEdLabs implements with great success in improved learning outcomes:
Active learning: Active learning methods are implemented for students to participate in activities that help them engage with the material, in-classroom actively. It includes discussions, case studies and simulations among other activities.
Clear learning objectives: Teachers define clear learning objectives for each lesson which will be communicated to all the students. This helps students understand what they are expected to learn and how they will be assessed.
Assessment: Assessment is an ongoing process that helps students understand their progress and identify areas where they need to improve. It is aligned with the learning objectives and provides timely feedback to students.
Use of technology: Technology is used to engage students and enhance their learning experience. This includes interactive hybrid classrooms, digital whiteboards, live practice sessions and digital learning content.
What future initiatives are you aiming at?
SpeEdLabs would primarily be focussing on the following areas in the next 2 years.
Hybrid learning centers or HLCs: We are starting with around 20 HLCs in AY 2023-24 and are in talks with multiple business prospects to operate more than 100 HLCs in the AY 2024-25. This will be our core product offering in the B2C segment.
School Integrated programs: We are planning to offer our flagship Foundation programmes starting with Grade 6 to Test-prep for JEE and NEET in the Selected school campuses through Hybrid Learning model.
Academic partnership with Lead School: In order to offer Foundation programmes in the Lead School network, we have joined hands with them.
Collaborate with Governments: We aim to implement hybrid learning at Government Schools, bring its benefits to every classroom in the country and provide high quality education which is both accessible and affordable in the K-12 segment.
Can hybrid learning foster inclusivity? How?
Hybrid learning can foster diversity and inclusivity by providing opportunities for students from different backgrounds to participate in the class. This can be especially important for students who may not feel comfortable participating in traditional in-person classes due to cultural or other differences. It allows students to choose how they want to participate in the class. Some students may prefer in-person instruction, while others may prefer online learning.
Hybrid learning accommodates both preferences, which can lead to increased engagement and participation. Furthermore, hybrid learning can facilitate collaboration and teamwork among students. Online tools and technologies can help students work together on group projects and assignments, regardless of their physical location or schedule.
Hybrid learning can create more inclusive learning environments by providing students with more opportunities to participate in classes, engage with the material, and collaborate with their peers.
How does the future look with respect to hybrid learning in India?
The future of hybrid learning in India is very promising as the country has witnessed a significant shift towards digital education in recent years. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of online learning and forced educational institutions to explore hybrid learning models. Here are some potential trends for the future of hybrid learning in India:
Continued adoption of online learning: The pandemic has demonstrated the need for online learning, and it is likely that educational institutions will continue to offer online courses and programs even after the pandemic ends. This will create more opportunities for hybrid learning in India.
Increased investment in technology: Educational institutions will need to invest in technology infrastructure and digital resources to support hybrid learning. This will include upgrading internet connectivity, providing students with devices such as laptops and tablets, and developing online learning platforms.
Greater emphasis on personalisation: Hybrid learning will enable educators to personalize learning experiences for individual students. This will involve leveraging data analytics and adaptive learning technologies to understand each student's learning style and provide customized content and assessments.
Collaboration with edtech startups: Educational institutions will collaborate with edtech startups to develop new technologies and tools for hybrid learning. This will lead to innovative solutions that can improve the quality of education and enhance student engagement.
Government initiatives: The Indian government is likely to continue its focus on digital education and may introduce new policies and initiatives to support hybrid learning. This could include funding for educational institutions, tax incentives for edtech startups, and regulatory frameworks for online learning.
Overall, the future of hybrid learning in India is bright, and it is expected to transform the education landscape in the country. By leveraging technology and innovation, hybrid learning has the potential to improve the quality of education and make it more accessible and inclusive for students across India.