Educational activities to prepare students for participation in hybrid and online learning: Introduction

1. Introduction

The introduction of hybrid and online teaching requires additional student-centred preparation. For students to successfully engage in a digital learning environment, it is important to design activities in advance that provide them with a clear understanding of how to work, what to expect and how to use technology. Teachers should foster an approach that provides students with structure, support and orientation from the very beginning of the lesson.

In online learning, introductory learning activities need to be carefully designed because students often do not have direct contact with the teacher and peers. Therefore, it is important to establish a sense of safety and belonging right from the start. This can be achieved through an introductory welcome video, an orientation test, a forum discussion or an assignment in which students introduce themselves. Activities should clearly communicate what is expected, how the work will be done, and where students can find support. In hybrid learning, some of the introductory activities can take place face-to-face, but it is still necessary to ensure that all students, regardless of whether they participate in person or online, receive the same information and opportunities to engage. It is necessary to design universal activities that can work in both environments.

When it comes to preparing educational materials, students need to be given clear instructions, an estimated duration of the activity, and the opportunity to self-assess their knowledge. It is desirable to include a combination of text, visual and audio content in the materials. In hybrid teaching, some of the instructions and content can be broadcast live, but all the materials should also be available in digital form to ensure equal access. It is recommended to use a single digital platform and clearly indicate what is expected of students before, during and after each encounter, regardless of its format.

The following topics will be covered in this activity: