Surrey School District Launches Innovative Hybrid Learning Program

Students in Surrey, Canada, are adapting to a new hybrid learning model this week as the school district implements a pilot program aimed at high school students. This initiative allows students to choose a course that is conducted 50 percent online, providing a framework to prepare them for hybrid work environments in the future.

The program has garnered interest from parents and students alike. Jill Lobley, whose son is in Grade 10, has opted for the hybrid format for his careers course. She noted that her son thrived during online learning amid the COVID-19 pandemic, stating, “During COVID, he was online quite a bit and actually excelled, being able to work on his own and go at his own pace.”

Lobley emphasized that while some students may excel in an online format, others will require more classroom support. “Parents have been asking for more options,” she explained. “There are definitely kids that this will not work for, but there are kids who can do this, and COVID taught us that.”

In a bid to facilitate this transition, the school district has communicated to parents that devices such as laptops and iPads are available for students who do not have access to their own equipment.

Preparing for the Future

Mark Pearmain, Superintendent of the Surrey School District, expressed optimism about the program’s potential to equip students with essential skills for future academic and employment opportunities. “We’re looking at this as the opportunity to provide these opportunities for our kids to learn new skills and new competencies,” Pearmain stated.

Despite the program’s promising aspects, Pearmain acknowledged the ongoing challenges the district faces, including overcrowding and a reliance on portable classrooms. He clarified that the pilot project will only be implemented in a limited number of classes across schools this year, which means its immediate impact on these issues will be minimal. “It’s only one or two classes per school that we’re trying this in,” he noted. “So it’s really going to have a minimal impact this year when it comes to any of our space challenges.”

Addressing Concerns About Screen Time

The introduction of the hybrid model raises concerns among experts regarding the impact of increased screen time on learning. Dr. Shimi Kang, a child psychiatrist with Future Ready Minds, highlighted the challenges teenagers face in maintaining focus while engaged in digital learning. “It’s already hard to focus,” she explained, especially for those with neurodiversity or attention deficits.

Dr. Kang echoed Lobley’s sentiments, suggesting that while the hybrid learning environment could benefit some students, others may struggle. “Digital literacy, learning how to manage that hybrid environment could provide benefits,” she stated, emphasizing that experiences will vary among students.

She further stressed that expectations for teenagers should differ from those for adults, as the teenage brain continues to develop into the early twenties. “There are some differences in the teenage brain versus the adult brain,” Dr. Kang noted. “That brain doesn’t really fully have its maturation until early twenties. So when we think of younger people in a hybrid environment, some of the difficulties they may run into include distraction.”

In light of these challenges, Dr. Kang urged parents to ensure their teenagers take adequate breaks from screens. She warned against the rise of loneliness and social anxiety among teenagers, remarking, “We are losing those micro moments of social connection, and loneliness is on the rise along with other mental health issues.”

As Surrey School District embarks on this innovative educational journey, the success of the hybrid learning model will depend not only on its implementation but also on the ongoing support provided to students and their families.