Hybrid Classes During COVID

Tackling courses in the age of COVID-19 isn’t easy. Many colleges are offering their classes this Fall semester remote only, and several others offer what’s known as hybrid classes. This means that classes are offered remotely though Zoom, Google Meet or some other platform, at same time, they meet face to face on the campus. I’m teaching using the hybrid model, and while I enjoy the interaction I’m getting from the students in my classroom and on Zoom, making the interactions full and engaging for every student is challenging. And that challenge applies both to me as the instructor and to my students. My experience is like that of other professors at my college.

Making the Adjustment

Adjusting to taking hybrid classes during COVID presents several challenges. First, students and professors wear masks while in the physical classroom, which can make it tough for people to be understood. Students attending remotely might find it difficult to offer comments in class easily. Many just stay quiet, which doesn’t work well for a discussion class. And parents, pets and siblings often distract students attending class from home. While these distractions aren’t new for students who attend college online, for those looking for a face to face experience, it’s been jarring and very difficult. As a professor, I’ve seen several students interrupted by their parents during class, and watched the student lose focus as a result. Hybrid classes can work, however, if both students and faculty work at them.

Making the Best of Hybrid Classes

One technique I’ve used to engage students both remote and in-class has been to ask the in-class students to bring their laptops to class. During class, I give discussion assignments to the students and assign them to breakout groups, mixing in-class students with those attending remotely. This encourages all the students to speak in class, and also introduces them to each other. An added benefit is this lowers barriers between and among the students for subsequent semesters, when we hope to be on campus.

I further suggest that students attending classes remotely use the chat function to offer ideas or suggestions during their classes. This shows the instructor they’re engaged and also adds to the class conversation. I also urge that students attending remotely contact their instructors for help the way they always do. We’ve found that during the pandemic, students have been reluctant to ask for meetings with their instructors, particularly if those teachers are working from home. Students feel they’re invading their professors’ personal space in this case, but that’s simply not true. We’re all being paid to teach, and we all know how much tougher it is now: we’re happy to share part of the burden. If your student even hints that they are uncomfortable asking for help because a faculty member would have to conduct a remote meeting from their home during their office hours, shut that down as quickly as you can! Encourage them to use the same lifelines they’ve always used when attending class face to face. And if they haven’t used those services and supports yet, now is the time to begin. COVID is a hill that we will get over—but we have to keep climbing!