Let’s explore the characteristics of each of those teaching types (online, blended, and hybrid).

Online Teaching

  • Setting: Entirely online, without a physical classroom.
  • Interaction: Communication occurs through digital platforms, such as video conferencing, emails, and discussion forums.
  • Resources: Relies on digital tools and resources, such as e-books, online assessments, and multimedia presentations.
  • Flexibility: Offers greater flexibility in terms of time and location, allowing learners to access materials and participate from anywhere with an internet connection.

Blended Teaching

  • Setting: Combination of in-person and online instruction.
  • Interaction: Mix of interaction segments face-to-face and online communication.
  • Resources: Utilises a combination of traditional and digital resources.
  • Flexibility: Provides a balance between the structure of traditional classes and the flexibility of online learning.

Hybrid Teaching

  • Setting: Similar to blended teaching but involves a seamless integration of in-person and online components at the same time.
  • Interaction: Combines face-to-face and online interactions, with activities taking place simultaneously in both settings.
  • Resources: Integrates a variety of resources, both traditional and digital, to enhance learning.
  • Flexibility: Offers a flexible approach, allowing learners to choose between attending in-person or participating online based on their preferences or circumstances.

See also the strengths and weaknesses as well as the challenges of each of the above methods under the section “additional resources”.

In summary, while traditional teaching is based on in-person, face-to-face interactions, online teaching is entirely online. Blended teaching combines both segments of in-person and online elements, finding a balance between the two. Hybrid teaching takes this a step further by seamlessly and simultaneously integrating in-person and online components, providing greater flexibility for learners.

The choice between these approaches depends on factors such as legislation, institutional strategy, educational goals, learner needs, and available resources. Nevertheless, in case of the teacher’s unavailability to be physically present in the classroom (for whatever reason)), we strongly recommend the use of distant teaching instead of any other compensation if the teacher is capable and willing to provide this method.