Activity plan: Teaching in a Hybrid Classroom

This resource can be used for professional development purposes of teaching staff. If you have any questions about the materials, don’t hesitate to contact the CHARM-EU professional development team

Teaching in a hybrid classroom

CHARM-EU is an early adopter of the concept of teaching and learning in hybrid classrooms. The CHARM-EU Master Programme Global Challenges in Sustainability started in September 2021 and is taking place in the five participating institutions: Eötvös Loránd University Budapest, Universitat de Barcelona, Université de Montpellier, Universiteit Utrecht and Trinity College Dublin. Each of these institutions set up at least one hybrid classroom which is suitable for joint teaching and learning. According to the literature, hybrid teaching and learning present challenges such as fostering effective communication among lecturers, onsite, and online students; managing multimedia and tool overload; motivating students; and ensuring equal learning opportunities (Hagemeijer & Dolfing, 2022). Based on the didactical experiences gained in the CHARM-EU hybrid classrooms, WP11 created an activity plan to share with our new partner universities, and with other European University Alliances. Strategies for hybrid teaching are presented, such as a focus on engaging online students through clear rules, diverse communication channels, and flexible participation options. Balancing attention between online and onsite groups is essential to maintain motivation and equitable experiences. These strategies help bridge gaps and create inclusive learning environments, which CHARM-EU stives to do and to share.

This 90-minute workshop can be offered in a hyrid classroom or online. The session is designed to help academic staff navigate the challenges of hybrid learning environments, where both in-person and online instruction need to be effectively integrated. Throughout the session, participants engage in group discussions and activities where they share their experiences and the difficulties they face with hybrid teaching. They reflect on key challenges, such as maintaining student engagement, using technology effectively, and balancing in-person and online interaction. The facilitator then guides the group in defining concrete solutions to these issues, drawing on participants’ input and offering insights into effective strategies. The session is designed to be interactive, with participants actively contributing their thoughts and collaborating with colleagues to develop actionable strategies for improving hybrid learning. The facilitator also draws on best practices gathered in the CHARM-EU hybrid classrooms.

Learning objectives

After this session, participants are able to: