What happened to the computer lab in the back of the library? There is now a sign on the door that reads, "Lab Reserved All Blocks, Hybrid Learning Classroom." What is Hybrid Learning?
Hybrid Learning, also known as Compass Learning, is a program that the school uses to help students earn recovery credits necessary for graduation. It is an online class with a teacher presiding over the room answering any questions the students may have.
Students take a lengthy pretest before starting a unit. The pretest is designed to see what the students know so the program can construct a learning path specific to that student. The students then watch a step-by-step video of a teacher explaining the lessons followed by a short five to 10 problem quiz to show what they've learned. If students do poorly on the quiz the program will review the lesson. And finally, at the end of a section they will have a unit test.
Depending on the teacher, students will be graded on quizzes and tests.
There are mixed feelings on the subject of hybrid learning. Some students love being able to learn one-on-one from the computer at their own pace.
Others dislike the program. They would much rather be in a class full of students.
One George Mason hybrid student said, "It's hard to stay focused when learning on your own. There are so many distractions and it's easy to lose your concentration. I'm afraid I won't be able to finish the class by the end of the semester."
Mr. Ben Swartz, a hybrid learning teacher, said, "The freedom that it gives students is good; however, it places an additional challenge on them as they are tasked with completing course work with less teacher guidance."
This is the first semester that George Mason has been using the program; therefore, the school has being working out many technical difficulties, anywhere from computers freezing up in the middle of a lesson, to questions on a quiz that had absolutely nothing to do with the lesson.
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