Hybrid learning concepts that bring online and in-person participants together are becoming increasingly popular. For an ideal connection, trainers and workshop leaders must consider some fundamental special features. In this article, you’ll get 3 tips straight from practice to ensure your hybrid workshop succeeds.

First: What is a hybrid workshop?

Hybrid learning connects online and in-person learning. Participants are in different locations throughout the learning process. Typically, one subgroup is present in person, while the other group is connected online.

The workshop leader supervises both groups simultaneously. Video conferencing systems like Zoom or Google Teams are used for this purpose. The learning content and objectives are identical for both groups; only the learning location differs.

Special form: Hybrid Blended Learning

In blended learning, you divide the learning process into fixed online and in-person phases. The in-person phases can also take place online, for example as a video conference. You can also combine this division with hybrid learning:

There are fixed online self-learning phases. The in-person phases take place in a hybrid format both online and in person simultaneously. This connection allows your participants to choose whether they want to attend the in-person session on-site or online. This gives you the high flexibility of hybrid learning. At the same time, the additional learning effect from the pure online phases of blended learning is preserved.

Reading tip: More about Hybrid Learning and the difference to Blended Learning

3 Practical tips for hybrid workshops

We have tried out the concept of hybrid workshops in combination with blended learning:

• Hybrid: One learning group was present in person, while the second learning group was digitally connected via Zoom.

• Blended: Both learning groups prepared for the workshop with an online course and subsequently received further learning impulses online.

In this video, workshop leader Claudia summarized her learnings from the hybrid workshop:

The challenge: How do I properly involve both participant groups?

The biggest challenge for you as a workshop leader in hybrid workshops is to involve all individuals at different locations equally.

For the participants in the room, this is straightforward: everyone sits face-to-face, can look directly at each other, and interact directly with you as the workshop leader. Most workshop leaders and participants are familiar with this situation.

But the online participants should not be neglected: They are only visible on a screen and cannot establish direct eye contact. The interaction with each other, for example during breaks, is also difficult.

Tip 1: Actively involve all participants

Don’t just address the participants in the room. Directly engage the online participants, establish (virtual) eye contact, and actively encourage them to participate.

Create a communication triangle between you, the in-person participants, and the online participants. Actively create situations where both groups can exchange ideas or discuss.

Tip 2: Integrate online participants during breaks

Short breaks at in-person workshops do not always happen at one’s place. Often, conversations take place at the coffee machine or outside the room. Avoid that during hybrid workshops.

The breaks should take place in the workshop room. The online participants remain connected, and their microphones and cameras stay on! This way, they can actively participate as well. This strengthens the sense of group cohesion.

A glimpse into the hybrid workshop room of blink.it: Online participants can be seen on the large screen throughout the day.

Tip 3: Use screen sharing for explanations

“Especially during in-person events, I would often go to a participant, look at the screen, and help the participant,” Claudia reports from her many past workshops.

In hybrid workshops, this leads to a problem: One participant sees on their device what you want to show as the workshop leader. However, the online participants cannot see it and cannot benefit from your support.

The solution for hybrid workshops: Use the screen sharing function of your video conferencing tool to share your screen with all participants. This way, the online participants can also see what’s being discussed.

To avoid technical chaos, you should weigh: Is this question currently interesting for everyone in the group, or really only for one individual participant (e.g., regarding technical issues with their own device)?

With these three tips, you can successfully integrate both groups and create a good atmosphere for exchange, discussion, and effective learning.

If you also use elements from blended learning, for example for self-directed preparation and follow-up in the online course, your workshop will become a special concept with maximum learning success for all participants.

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