Attendance matters: is hybrid learning still needed in FE?

In March 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic unexpectedly catapulted the Further Education sector into the virtual world, replacing classroom learning, assessments and everything in between, with computer screens. 

Fast forward to July 2022, and Covid is no longer the factor which sees learners wanting to work from wherever and whenever.

Many students all over the world have benefited immensely from the ability to do classes, access learning material, and take exams remotely, and all for various reasons. A desire for greater flexibility is likely to be a long-term memento from the pandemic, and something that needs to be considered in any FE provider’s curriculum.

With 52% of Brits saying they would rather quit their job than return to the office full time, the ‘new normal’ has placed an emphasis on empathy, choice, and freedom. So how can FE providers prevent a ‘Great Resignation’ of their own, and maximise retention?

The varied needs of learners

Throughout the pandemic 16-19 year-olds faced some of the greatest disruption to learning ever seen, having to adapt to online learning with no notice, and facing months out of traditional classroom education. 

Feedback from this age group has shown that some younger learners are likely to struggle, instead preferring the structure that a physical institutional setting offers. Distractions, lack of a routine, lack of social interaction, and a lack of school-home separation were some of the key difficulties noted in the 16-19 Learners’ Experiences of the Covid-19 pandemic Research report. 

On the other hand, the noted benefits of online learning include learning at your own pace and reduced anxiety and stress levels. 

Covid-driven layoffs and shifts in priorities saw many adults return to FE, to polish up old skills and knowledge, or to retrain and rethink their careers. For adult learners, who often have additional responsibilities like full-time jobs, or childcare responsibilities, the ability to work from wherever, whenever was likely to be a major factor in choosing providers.

While the pandemic is no longer the backdrop for hybrid learning, the cost of living, internationalisation, and the need for FE providers to create an exceptional learning experience which caters to all learners are factors likely to impact the solutions that FE colleges and sixth forms offer.

For those with caring responsibilities, disabilities or health needs, a hybrid approach can make the difference between being able to attend a class from home, or entirely missing the content for reasons out of their control. Learners in rural areas with limited access to transport and low-income learners, for whom the rising cost of fuel, expensive public transport, or even rail strikes (as we have seen in June 2022) can be a huge blow to their access to education, will also benefit from the flexibility offered by a hybrid approach. 

Learners who are neurodiverse, have limited access to technology, or even lack a private space for learning, may be more suited to an in-person, classroom learning environment, where they can establish a routine and have access to the devices, resources and space they need to learn.

As providers become learner-led organisations and claim to “put learners at the heart of everything they do”, these, and many more, are factors that need to be considered, and factors which a hybrid approach can help to alleviate. 

Introducing a hybrid curriculum to maximise retention

A hybrid curriculum provides the flexibility to keep people retained in the same way that learning material in various formats supports learners with different learning styles. 

While the younger group of 16-19 year olds seems to need structure, and adult learners need the flexibility of hybrid, both groups want empathy, choice and the freedom to choose. In the same way that employers are still wrangling with their HR work from home policies in response to listening to what employees want, being able to own that choice and study from anywhere seems to be a big priority.

There certainly isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution here, but given the way most of us access, binge, cram, spread out and take our lives around with us while juggling sometimes multiple jobs or commitments and responsibilities, it’s up to FE to show that they’re in touch with what real life looks like. Especially considering that getting people ready to join the world of work is exactly their remit.