AT&T’s 2021 Future of School report shows that a majority of educators and parents have accepted the value of the hybrid schooling models that became commonplace during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Several survey responses that point to teachers’ acknowledgement that hybrid teaching is here to stay:
- 94% are open to the idea of hybrid learning with the proper resources, curriculum and support
- 71% support virtual days for inclement weather
- 78% favor virtual tutoring sessions or enrichment programs
- 60% are open to live streaming their classrooms for students who are ill
- 76% say that the pandemic delayed their students’ academic progress.
The hybrid schooling report found that the teaching community has come up to speed quickly. Forty-three percent said that they found the experience challenging a year ago, but have since adapted and “learned tips, tricks and best practices.” Almost half – 48% — say that better hybrid and online teaching curricula is needed. Eighty-three percent “felt supported” by administrators. The survey found that 66% of teachers and parents say students still are fully remote or hybrid.
Parents also see the value:
- 83% support virtual school days for inclement weather
- 84% support virtual tutoring or enrichment programs
- 85% want the option for their kids who are home sick to join class virtually
- 37% say their child’s education was delayed by the pandemic
- 62% say their child adapted very or extremely well to online classes
“The last year has accelerated the possibilities of hybrid learning for the future of education,” the press release about the hybrid schooling report says.”It also showed that education doesn’t only need to happen in a physical school building and kids can learn anything, anytime and anywhere. This expedites the need for schools and teachers to have access to the right technology and resources. As educators plan for the upcoming school year and beyond, hybrid learning will play a key part in the future of education.”
Two distinct surveys were conducted by AT&T and TRUE Global Intelligence, the in-house research practice of FleishmanHillard. Respondents included 1,000 U.S. consumers with at least one child in K-12 school and 500 teachers who have taught full time for two years or more.
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to many initiatives to support remote and hybrid education. In July 2020, for instance, AT&T made teachers, nurses, and physicians eligible for 25% savings on its Unlimited Starter, Extra and Elite wireless plans.
