Larger training is evolving and, as somebody deeply concerned in curriculum improvement, I’ve witnessed firsthand how virtual-hybrid delivery models can remodel studying experiences. When the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a sudden shift in educational strategies, I needed to rethink ship my senior-level undergraduate Entrepreneurial Pondering and Innovation course, which was historically taught face-to-face (F2F). What began as a mandatory adaptation shortly grew to become a chance to boost pupil engagement, flexibility, and real-world preparedness. I now acknowledge that virtual-hybrid supply shouldn’t be merely a short lived repair, however a sustainable and extremely efficient mannequin for the way forward for training throughout disciplines.
From face-to-face to virtual-hybrid studying
My Entrepreneurial Pondering and Innovation course was initially designed round a hands-on, project-based studying (PBL) strategy. On the course’s core was a semester-long, stage-gated Enterprise Case, or BizCase Mission. Scholar groups tackled real-world enterprise challenges by creating complete enterprise instances for group organizations. Historically, this concerned in-person collaboration, real-time suggestions, and instructor-led periods.
After we shifted to on-line studying, my major problem was to protect the course’s interactive and utilized nature, whereas utilizing digital instruments to take care of engagement. Somewhat than trying to duplicate the in-person expertise, I fully reimagined the training course of.
The revamped course targeted on three key components:
- Synchronous Milestone Conferences: Structured biweekly periods changed conventional lectures, enabling real-time, small-group discussions that fostered deeper engagement and tailor-made suggestions.
- Excessive-High quality Asynchronous Tutorial Movies: Professionally produced and concise video classes allowed college students to study independently, enhancing accessibility and comprehension.
- Personalized Screencast Suggestions: As an alternative of written feedback, college students acquired complete, personalised video suggestions, enhancing the analysis course of to be extra interactive and fascinating.
Why virtual-hybrid studying works
The affect of this redesign was speedy and profound. Not solely did college students keep engaged, however their studying outcomes improved considerably. The common last grades on the BizCase Mission elevated by 8-10% in comparison with earlier face-to-face cohorts. Right here’s why this supply mannequin is so efficient:
- Enhanced Scholar Engagement
One of the vital important benefits of virtual-hybrid studying is the mix of structured flexibility and energetic engagement. Conventional lecture codecs usually result in passive studying. The virtual-hybrid strategy evokes college students to take cost of their instructional journey, thereby enhancing learner company.
Synchronous milestone conferences ensured college students remained accountable and on monitor, whereas asynchronous movies allowed them to assessment content material at their very own tempo. Many college students noticed that revisiting educational movies earlier than undertaking discussions tremendously boosted their comprehension and confidence.
- Actual-World Preparation
Digital-hybrid supply displays the realities of modern workplaces, the place professionals are more and more engaged in hybrid and distant work environments. By embracing this mannequin, college students purchase educational information whereas creating important expertise in digital collaboration, digital communication, and self-directed studying.
The course redesign was primarily based on trade analysis concerning optimum assembly buildings, which signifies that smaller, focused discussions promote larger engagement and improve problem-solving. I applied smaller team-based milestone conferences as an alternative of huge, passive on-line lectures, making certain every pupil actively participated. This modification aligns with company greatest practices. It equips college students with expertise which are straight transferable to up to date work environments.
- Extra Efficient Suggestions
One of the vital important improvements on this course redesign was utilizing screencast know-how for undertaking suggestions. Somewhat than conventional written feedback, college students acquired complete, video suggestions. I guided them by way of their submissions, emphasizing strengths and areas for enchancment. College students overwhelmingly most well-liked this technique, with 90% indicating that video suggestions was clearer and extra private than written feedback. The mix of seeing and listening to the suggestions, together with visible annotations, created a extra interactive and fascinating studying expertise, making it simpler for college kids to refine their work.
Challenges and alternatives
Whereas virtual-hybrid studying affords important advantages, it additionally presents challenges. Though college students appreciated the flexibleness of self-paced movies, some struggled with motivation and time management in successfully navigating the course necessities.
One other problem is making certain equitable entry to know-how. Not all college students have entry to high-quality units or reliable internet connections. This could have an effect on their capacity to interact absolutely in virtual-hybrid programs. Establishments should put money into digital infrastructure and help techniques to make sure all college students can take part successfully.
Making use of virtual-hybrid fashions throughout disciplines
Though this text focuses on an entrepreneurship and innovation course, the rules of virtual-hybrid studying will be utilized to numerous disciplines. This model can benefit any course, together with experiential studying, teamwork, and utilized initiatives.
- Engineering programs can incorporate digital design labs, simulation software, and milestone conferences for project-based assessments.
- Medical and healthcare applications can combine asynchronous case research with dwell digital discussions on medical functions.
- Humanities and social sciences can embrace digital storytelling, digital peer suggestions collaboration, and instructor-led discussions.
A brand new period of studying
The success of the virtual-hybrid supply mannequin in Entrepreneurial Pondering and Innovation underscores its outstanding potential. The one-size-fits-all, lecture-heavy instructional strategy is changing into out of date. Right this moment’s college students thrive in dynamic, technology-enhanced environments that put together them for hybrid workplaces and the way forward for work.
As educators, we have now each a chance and a duty to rethink conventional educating strategies. Digital-hybrid supply presents a path ahead for a extra adaptable and impactful training. Having skilled the transformative results of this strategy firsthand, I can confidently assert that virtual-hybrid supply generally is a sport changer for the way forward for increased training.
Written by Allan MacKenzie, Assistant Professor of Management and Administration at McMaster College W Sales space Faculty of Engineering Follow and Expertise.Â
Be taught extra about how hybrid-virtual studying fosters engagement and significant considering by watching Professor MacKenzie’s webinar, a part of our 2025 Empowered Educator Virtual Conference.
