What Is The Hybrid Teaching Style?
There are four main teaching styles that teachers routinely use. They are the Authority style, Demonstrator style, Facilitator style, and the Delegator style. Using bits and pieces of all four you get a fifth style – the Hybrid Teaching style.
There are four main teaching styles that teachers routinely use. They are the Authority style, Demonstrator style, Facilitator style, and the Delegator style. Using bits and pieces of all four you get a fifth style – the Hybrid Teaching style.
This combination teaching style sometimes comes from planning and sometimes it comes out of necessity. Some teachers, depending on the subject they are teaching, have a well-planned out course that implements parts of each teaching style. They rely on both student participation and their own ingenuity to keep class flowing at a nice pace.
Sometimes, though, this Hybrid Teaching style simply evolves. Some students do not respond well to an Authority Style, where the teacher simply stands in front of the class, lecturing for 50 minutes, expecting the students to absorb the material by note-taking and memorization. Most kids nowadays need visual stimulation. They treat class like it’s a video game and need, even crave, interaction. For this reason, you are now seeing more and more teachers turn to a hybrid style of teaching.
THE HYBRID TEACHING STYLE
The Hybrid Teaching style is a combination of styles. Like the Authority style, a teacher can find themselves in front of the class droning on and on about their particular subject. As a Demonstrator, they can also bring in certain elements, such as presentations, as teaching materials. A Hybrid teacher may also at times lean on their Facilitator background and let the class take charge. They will provide prompts and guide them with questions, but ultimately, they will let the students handle business. Finally, a hybrid teacher may implement a Delegator style as they take a backseat to student-run projects or presentations. There may be a brief bit of instruction, but then a teacher steps back completely.
THE HYBRID TEACHING STYLE PROS
There are many positives when it comes to using a Hybrid Teaching style. One is that it can be beneficial to all types of students. For example, during one class a teacher can lecture for 15 minutes. Then the classroom can involve itself in 15 minutes of discussion. Finally, the final 15 minutes or so can focus on classroom activity.
In many ways, this style of teaching is becoming the preferred way to go. Proponents feel that not only does it incorporate all styles, but it may help those students broaden their learning horizons by introducing them to different ways of tackling classroom lectures and projects. This style of teaching is very popular in subjects like English and Science, where a variety of projects are expected to be completed.
This Hybrid Teaching Style may also be beneficial to the teacher. A teacher’s personality or how they come across to their students is important for growth all around. Classrooms have the tendency to take on a teacher’s personality so a teacher who likes to keep students as active participants may get more out of them. Of course, not all students are built the same.
THE HYBRID TEACHING STYLE CONS
Unfortunately, the positives of using a Hybrid Teaching style can also be considered its negatives. Some students lock on to one way of teaching and it is that way that suits them best. When using a Hybrid style, teachers bounce around from style to style and these sudden shifts in teaching formats may sour certain students.
In turn, this may go against what the teacher is trying to accomplish and instead weaken the learning process. When teachers try to be all things to their students by catering to their needs, they may end up spreading themselves too thin to actually do the classroom well. Not all students can adapt as easily as others. The ebb and flow of a classroom can be a positive thing and it can also be detrimental.
HOW GOOD IS IT?
The prevailing thought is that instructors adopting this Hybrid Style may see more positive results than anything else. One of the biggest reasons is flexibility. A good teacher will be able to read their classroom and adjust as needed. With this hybrid style, a teacher can alter how time is used in class, how they teach their subject, what types of materials they bring into class, and just how much interaction they would require from the students.
Not only is this style good for the entire classroom, but, if necessary, a Hybrid teacher can focus on a student who may be finding it difficult to adjust. Using this hybrid approach, a teacher can allow the class to fend for themselves on certain classroom projects while the teacher is able to work separately with a student who may need a little more attention.
The Hybrid Teaching style, while not leaning on the Authority Style, still maintains a sense of authority in class. Teachers can still have their set rules, making sure the class understands consequences but remains flexible enough to allow for mistakes and grow from those mistakes.
It’s hard to think of this teaching style as anything but a positive. Of course, it all comes down to teacher and student. Building classroom trust is what it’s all about and it starts with the teacher.
