“Hybrid Teaching’- a jargon term that means doing two jobs at once!”

BY PAUL JUNOR

The release of the education funding allotment by the Ontario Ministry of Education was greeted with much scepticism by education unions.

It has been made clear to school boards that virtual learning is expected of them as planned for the 2021-22 school year. Officials at the Ministry of Education did not release details about this option and when parents will have to decide whether their children will learn in-person or remotely. Many boards have decided to go ahead with a hybrid model of learning for both elementary and secondary schools even though the Ministry of Education has not finalized the remote learning option.

YorkRegion.com reported that the York Region District School Board Board (YRDSB) has decided to proceed with the hybrid model. Louise Sirisko, the director of the YRDSB states, “Through feedback, we have heard from families that their priorities include: students being connected to their home school, the ability to switch more readily when required between remote learning, and access to continuity of remote learning as needed. Through the hybrid model, families will continue to have the ability to opt for in-person or remote learning, and placement for all students will be in their home school.”

The YRDSB made it known that the same teachers will conduct both in-person and remote classes simultaneously. Classes may start either in-person or remotely and switch to the hybrid model if necessary.

The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) released details at a Planning and Priorities Committee meeting of its plans for 2021-22. It revealed that it will still offer classes remotely and that cohorting of classes will continue for both elementary and secondary students with the possibility of resorting to remote learning if necessary. The board will inform parents/ parents/ caregivers, and selection forms will be sent out. They will have to make a final decision by June 1^st.

Jason Kunin, a TDSB secondary teacher observes in a Facebook post “What this means is that either teachers will be forced to do “hybrid teaching’- a jargon term that means doing two jobs at once teaching in-person and on-line simultaneously.” Hereforstudents.ca has launched opposition to hybrid learning. “Hybrid Learning Isn’t The Answer.” involving email petitions to MPPs and to Ontario premier, Doug Ford.

The petition requests individuals to “Join thousands of Ontarians who are increasingly concerned about the negative impacts of students caused by hybrid learning, and demand that Doug Ford make available the necessary resources needed to ensure the best quality of learning for students.” The petition lists negative aspects such as:

• Students will have difficulty getting the attention and help they need from their educator
• Educators have to juggle between in-person and remote students simultaneously
• Costs are being prioritized over quality of education for students during a pandemic

There is hope that the Ministry of Education will renege on hybrid learning.