Many parents are incredibly concerned about what school will look like for their children in the fall. After months of transitioning to online learning, parents wonder what measures schools take to make it possible for children to continue learning while still maintaining appropriate social distancing measures. One of the most popular models for returning to school in the fall is the Hybrid-Flexible, or HyFlex, Model. This model helps keep the needs of many groups of parents and children at the forefront.
What Is the HyFlex Model?
The HyFlex Model for Education creates a hybrid model for classes. Each class, rather than being presented either online or in person, is presented in both formats.
Students who are able to attend class in the classroom can attend in person.
Students who cannot, whether they are immune-compromised, have a family member who is immune-compromised, or have fallen ill or been exposed to a patient with COVID-19, can attend the same class online.
The teacher teaches the class in person, but also takes input from online students and provides aid where those students need it. Both sets of students complete the same, or reasonably similar, assignments, but students and parents have the option to choose which style of education works best for the student, not just once for the entire semester, but on a day-to-day basis.
The Benefits of the HyFlex Model
The HyFlex Model offers a number of important benefits that can be highly useful for parents and students.
1. The HyFlex Model Keeps Kids on Track Whether They Can Be in In-Person Classes or Not.
Under this model, students who choose the online learning platform can maintain the same schedule of classwork as their peers in the classroom. If a student falls ill or has to miss school for a period of time due to suspected COVID-19 exposure, that child will not miss schoolwork. While a child can take extra time to complete assignments on days when he is actually ill, he will not fall behind if he has to miss school even when he is not ill.
2. This Model Allows Students and Parents to Choose the Educational Approach That Works Best for Them.
Some parents are deeply concerned with continued socialization and in-person learning opportunities. Others, especially those with immune-compromised children, worry more about the possibility that their children will fall ill. The HyFlex Model takes both scenarios into account, allowing parents to make informed decisions. It also allows parents to change their mind as circumstances change: children can easily transition back to a standard classroom setting if a vaccine comes available or numbers drop, or a parent who sees rising case numbers and feels a great deal of concern can transition a child back to home-based learning until they feel more comfortable sending that child to school again.
3. Students Can Continue to Engage in Group Learning While Still Social Distancing.
Depending on the classroom setup, students can still engage in cooperative learning: working in groups and completing projects together. Many students will appreciate the opportunity for social interaction whether in person or at home due to personal health needs.
Conclusion
At The Tenney School, we are already using a HyFlex Model to engage our students and maintain a high quality of education no matter where students are. This model not only offers safe solutions during the current crisis, but it also offers a model that benefits students. Contact us today to learn more about the educational solutions we can offer and how they can benefit your child.