Hybrid Modality as a New Norm of Teaching: A Preferential Study for the Now Normal in the Graduate School

Introduction: When COVID-19 shook the world in early 2020, schools faced a tough challenge to keep going during this health crisis. Universities worked hard to stay open while following government rules that stopped people from meeting in person and shut down the economy at home. School leaders knew they had to keep teaching so they started new programs to help students learn. This study looks at how graduate schoolfaculty and students at North Eastern Mindanao State University felt about different ways of teaching when Philippine public schools switched to distance learning. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to determine the different factors that can be considered in educational policies and which learning modalities are adequate for the students. Methods: This study utilized a survey method to assess the preferences of students and professors, as well as their readiness to continue adopting the hybrid learning model after transitioning from the pandemic-driven online setup to limited face-to-face instruction. Results: The study revealed that majority of the graduate school students are coming from the different neighboring provinces of Surigao del Sur. It further revealed that enrolment of the graduate school has increased over the past three years during the online/hybrid mode compared to previous enrolment during face to face prior to pandemic era. The students preferred the adoption of the new norm of teaching modality-the online hybrid or blended modality. Conclusions: The increasing enrollment of students from various regions and even offshore at NEMSU Graduate School highlights the growing preference for flexible learning options. The shift to online and hybrid modalities has not only made education more accessible but has also equipped both students and faculty with the necessary digital tools and training. Furthermore, the hybrid setup has expanded academic opportunities by enabling collaboration with faculty from other universities and NEMSU’s satellite campuses, enhancing the overall learning experience.