Diversify the Modes of Engagement

As we all know, different students process information differently. A single workshop – no matter how good it is – will not serve everyone. Instead, try adopting a more comprehensive approach. For example, you might:

• Offer live workshops for students who learn best through discussion and real-time Q&A.
• Record and post short videos for students who prefer to pause, rewind, and review at their own pace.
• Provide written guides or checklists for those who need concrete, step-by-step instructions.
• Create interactive quizzes or self-check tools for students who learn best by doing.

Importantly, this isn’t about creating more work for educators. Instead, it’s about designing core materials that can live in multiple formats. While building this out will be more time-intensive than delivering one workshop, a diverse collection of resources will reach more students over time.

Anchor Online Resources to Human Connection

Online resources shine when they complement personal interaction. For instance, you might pair a self-guided outlining module with an invitation to meet for a short follow up appointment. Or you could encourage faculty to point students toward academic support videos or guides as reinforcement for necessary skills within their subject. When students see online resources as part of a broader relationship, they’re more likely to use them meaningfully.

Build for Accessibility and Flexibility

Hybrid support should increase access, not create new barriers. This means being thoughtful about the accessibility of resources. For instance, videos should be captioned and under 10 minutes. Try to make the resources mobile-friendly so students can engage between classes or during commutes. And, perhaps most importantly, post resources in a predictable, easy-to-find location (not five clicks deep in the LMS). 

Flexibility is key: a student should be able to choose the format that works for them without losing the substance.

Create Feedback Loops to Evolve

The best hybrid models grow through iteration. Ask students:

• What format do you use most?
• What feels overwhelming or hard to find?
• What additional resources would have helped you this semester?

Quick polls, informal check-ins, or even an end-of-semester survey can guide small adjustments that make a big difference.

Hybrid support isn’t about doubling your workload or reinventing every wheel. It’s about layering accessibility and flexibility into what you already do so that the same core message reaches students in different ways. When we create hybrid support models with intention, we show students that there isn’t just one “right” way to learn – and that might be the most empowering lesson of all.

(Dayna Smith)