Remote Learning

AP Teachers: 'Go with Hybrid, Please'

• By Dian Schaffhauser
• 07/08/20

Nearly half of Advanced Placement teachers believe schools should be implementing a hybrid approach. Forty-eight percent told Fiveable that the mix should include in-classroom teaching and remote learning at home. Fiveable is an education technology company that provides Advanced Placement study resources, including weekly games, live streams and other resources to give students an edge in their learning and testing.

The survey queried about 250 people who were high school teachers within the Fiveable network. The survey took place online a couple of weeks ago.

Teachers didn't agree on what should happen in the fall. According to the survey, a third (36 percent) suggested that schools "should definitely open" for face-to-face learning; another 24 percent said to keep the learning going at home; and the rest didn't know what to think.

The biggest concerns for educators as they ponder the reopening of school facilities involved virus exposure (47 percent), meeting recommendations for physical distancing (16 percent) and dealing with possible "unrealistic expectations" set by administrators to get students "back on track." Eleven percent said they weren't concerned because their schools had "already prepared for all of the above."

When they considered concerns for their students, health was at the top of the list. Thirty-eight percent said that exposing students to the virus would be the biggest worry should their schools open up. Another third (33 percent) said social-emotional health was the main issue. And a quarter (23 percent) responded that they were anxious that students would feel "academically overwhelmed."

"During the initial transition to remote learning, teachers, of course, experienced a variety of challenges such as keeping students motivated, adapting to new tech platforms, not having direction from administrators, and ensuring their students had access to Wi-fi and laptops," said Amanda DoAmaral, founder and CEO of Fiveable, in a statement. "It’s important that these factors are being addressed as administrators weigh the options for the most effective, yet virus-cautious approach for the fall."