The Pros and Cons of Hybrid Learning

Whether you plan on taking hybrid courses in business or cybersecurity studies at Dean College, there are a number of pros and cons that you need to be aware of before you enroll. These courses, which take place both in the classroom and online, depending on the schedule, work well for adult students who are balancing things like family responsibilities and a job along with school. With that said, there are some pros and cons that come along with them, and you need to weigh them before enrolling.

Pros of Hybrid Learning

Some of the best things about hybrid courses include:

• You Can Rewatch Lectures – If you aren't clear about the course materials or come up with some questions about what's stated in the lecture, you can watch it over again. This makes it easy to study for quizzes and use the material in papers because everything that the professor discussed is right there at your full disposal in video form.
• All of the Materials Are at Your Fingertips from Anywhere – Students leading busy lives will appreciate the flexibility of the online portion of a hybrid course. They can literally read the embedded course materials and watch the lectures from anywhere with an internet connection, such as on their lunch breaks from work.
• You Can Learn on Your Own Time – Although you have to attend some lectures in person, quite a bit of each course is online only, meaning that students who have plenty of obligations can work on the material in the evenings or whenever they have time. The only things that must be completed on time here are the assignments.

Cons of Hybrid Learning

In addition to the many pros that come with hybrid courses, there are a few cons as well.

• You Need Good Time Management Skills – Students without good time management skills or the ability to self-motivate may struggle outside of the classroom. Much of the online portions of the classes require them to learn the material on their own by watching lectures and staying on top of the assignment readings. Without the structure of classroom learning, some might fall behind.
• Limited Internet Access Can Be a Problem – In order to complete the online portion of a hybrid course, students need to have strong internet access. Otherwise, those video lectures will freeze mid-play, and the embedded materials may take a long time to download. Those without the ability to access Wi-Fi may find that they can't fully participate in the course. (Of course, they could always use the Dean College Wi-Fi from anywhere on campus.)
• There's Less Participation Online – Some students learn best when they're interacting with their peers. Those that take hybrid courses may find that their fellow students just don't post as often or participate as much as they'd like, just doing enough to meet the minimum requirements and pass the class. This lack of interaction can be problematic, leaving students to adapt their learning styles accordingly, which is something that not everyone is able to do.

Clearly, there are both pros and cons to hybrid learning, so it’s best to weigh your options and be honest about your organization and time management abilities before opting in (or out) of this new learning concept.

Wondering if hybrid classes are right for you? Request more information today.