Hybrid learning concepts that bring together online and in-person participants are becoming increasingly popular. For an ideal connection, trainers and workshop leaders need to consider some fundamental peculiarities. In this article, you will receive 3 tips directly from practice to ensure your hybrid workshop succeeds.

First: What is a hybrid workshop?

Hybrid learning combines online and in-person learning. Participants are at different locations throughout the entire 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 goals are identical for both groups; only the location of learning 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 categorization with hybrid learning:

There are fixed online self-study phases. The in-person phases occur hybrid, simultaneously online and in person. With this connection, your participants can choose whether to attend the in-person session on-site or online. This allows for 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 on Hybrid Learning and the difference to Blended Learning

3 Practical Tips for Hybrid Workshops

We have tried the concept of hybrid workshops combined 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 later received further learning impulses online.

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

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

In hybrid workshops, the greatest challenge for you as a workshop leader is to engage all individuals in different locations equally.

For the participants in the room, it's simple: Everyone is sitting face-to-face together, 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.

However, the online participants must not be overlooked: They are only visible on a screen and cannot establish direct eye contact. Communicating with one another, for example during breaks, is also difficult.

Tip 1: Actively involve all participants

Do not only address the participants in the room. Also, speak directly to the online participants, establish (virtually) eye contact, and actively invite them to participate.

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

Tip 2: Include online participants even during breaks

Short breaks at in-person workshops do not always take place at the seat. Conversations often happen at the coffee machine or outside the room. Avoid this in hybrid workshops.

The breaks should take place in the workshop room. The online participants remain connected, and the microphones and cameras stay on! This way, they can also actively contribute here. This strengthens the group feeling.

View of the hybrid workshop room from blink.it: The online participants are visible on the large screen throughout the day.

Tip 3: Use screensharing for explanations

“Especially at in-person events, I would quickly go to one 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, as the workshop leader, want to show. However, the digital participants do not see it and cannot benefit from your support.

The solution in hybrid workshops: Use the screensharing function of your video conferencing tool to share your screen with all participants. This way, the online participants also see what it's about.

To avoid technical chaos, you should weigh: Is this question currently interesting for everyone in the group, or really only for one specific participant (for example, in case of technical issues with their device)?

With these three tips, you can successfully integrate both groups and create a good atmosphere for exchange, discussion, and successful 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 the highest possible learning success for all participants.