Latest news with #hybridlearning
Forbes
4 days ago
- Forbes
Beyond Summer Camps: Local Learning Hubs Embrace Hybrid Schooling
Blending online school and homeschooling with in-person community learning hubs Last year, my 11-year-old son Sam participated in a summer day camp focused on robotics and hands-on STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) projects. It was hosted by The Robo Hub, a new education enrichment organization that opened its doors a few months prior in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where I by Xin Liu, a robotics engineer and mom of four, The Robo Hub's engaging camps and afterschool programs filled quickly, as parents and learners alike appreciated the relevant curriculum and bright and spacious learning space located across the street from a large city park. After Sam's camp ended, I completed a parent survey reporting how much he enjoyed the experience. 'You should consider starting a microschool,' I wrote, urging the organization to add a flexible daytime program throughout the academic year for students and families looking for an alternative to conventional The Robo Hub has done just an announcement earlier this week, Liu revealed a new hybrid learning partnership with Sora Schools, an accredited online private school focused on project-based learning. Middle and high school students seeking a different, more personalized education option can enroll in Sora Schools' online program, which includes a comprehensive curriculum and daily, live lessons, while gathering together in person at The Robo Hub two days a week to work on projects and build community with peers. 'Together, we can offer a truly unique learning experience that combines the best of hands-on, in-person exploration with flexible, student-driven academics,' The Robo Hub COO Leonid Tunik told me. In Massachusetts, students in this new program would be legally considered opportunity to integrate online, flexible education with in-person community is contributing to the rising popularity of creative schooling options, including microschools for homeschoolers. Here in Massachusetts, KaiPod Learning pioneered a similar model back in 2021 with the launch of a learning pod in Greater Boston that enabled families to select their preferred curriculum provider while fostering community through in-person enrichment activities, social connection and on-site academic support. KaiPod continues to expand, particularly in states such as Arizona, where universal school-choice programs enable families to attend a pod tuition-free or nearly Bay State is one of 15 U.S. states that does not have any private school-choice policies, which can limit access to these innovative learning models. Yet, even in the absence of these policies that enable a portion of education funding to follow students to their preferred educational environment, emerging programs like The Robo Hub/Sora Schools partnership tend to be less expensive than more established private education options. For example, annual tuition for the Sora Schools/The Robo Hub program is $18,900, which includes the full-time online school and two days a week at The Robo still financially out of reach for many families, The Robo Hub/Sora Schools program is significantly more affordable than other secular private education options in the area, including the roughly $42,000 a year a family would pay to attend the popular Cambridge Montessori School's middle school program, which shares the block with The Robo creative schooling options are not only lower in cost—and often no cost at all when operating in choice-friendly states—they are also providing the educational personalization and flexibility that many families increasingly desire. Tunik says that he has already received inquiries from parents excited about the new Sora Schools partnership, with the hybrid structure a central Smiley, cofounder and CEO of Sora Schools, sees this appeal among families across the U.S. 'Education is shifting to local hubs plugged into global classrooms,' he said, explaining that blending online schooling and homeschooling with community-based partnerships is the educational mix many families are seeking. 'Families really can have it all,' he educational organizations, such as those running summer camps and afterschool programs, should consider following The Robo Hub's lead and expand their offerings to include in-person microschool and hybrid learning options during the school day. Partnering with curriculum providers and online schools like Sora Schools can make this effort easier and more appealing to students and Monday, I picked up Sam from a day at The Robo Hub's summer camp, where he has been making a robot and coding an original video game. I told him that The Robo Hub had just announced that they are creating a new hybrid learning option for homeschoolers, starting this fall. 'That is so cool!' he said. 'I'd love that.'
Associated Press
15-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Kellogg School of Management breaks ground on state-of-the-art education facility
New building to provide seamless global engagement and hybrid learning through cutting-edge technology EVANSTON, Ill., May 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kellogg School of Management community gathered on May 14, 2025, for a groundbreaking ceremony for a new state-of-the-art building that will offer seamless hybrid instruction and global engagement through cutting-edge technology. The building, designed to integrate students, faculty, alumni and business leaders around the world, will cement Kellogg's position as a world-renowned business school and leader in innovative education for MBA and Executive Education programs. The ceremony marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Kellogg, bringing together leadership, donors, alumni and dignitaries to turn the soil and celebrate. The new building is an important addition to Northwestern and will establish a Kellogg campus for the institution in Evanston. Connecting through an underground corridor to the Kellogg Global Hub, the new building will create a 'One Kellogg' experience, uniting Kellogg's portfolio of degree and Executive Education programs. 'This is a momentous occasion in Kellogg's history. The new building will enrich the student experience across our programs and grow the impact Kellogg has on the world,' said Dean Francesca Cornelli. 'Not only will it be a beautiful structure, but it will introduce new opportunities for innovation in business education and embody our vision and strategy as a premier business school.' The building is the centerpiece of and funded by Kellogg's Full Circle Campaign, an ambitious $600 million fundraising initiative that will also support faculty research, student scholarships and curricular innovation. To date, the building is nearly 75% funded, through a combination of allocated funds and gifts from generous Kellogg supporters, many of whom attended the ceremony on campus. 'Today's event marks an important milestone for Northwestern and the Kellogg School of Management,' said President Michael Schill. 'We are driving critical research and teaching that will have a profound impact on business and society. This new building will enhance our ability to support important initiatives and will elevate Kellogg's profile even further.' Northwestern and Kellogg leadership, University trustees, members of Kellogg's Global Advisory Board, and Full Circle Campaign donors attended the ceremony. Supporters of the University, Kellogg and the new building shared remarks and participated in the ceremonial turning of the soil, including chair of the Northwestern University Board of Trustees Peter Barris '74 ('11, '18 P); and his wife Adrienne Barris ('11, '18 P); Trustee Bon French '75, '76 MBA ('07, '21 P); Trustee Chris Galvin '73 '77 MBA ('11 P); Trustee Kimberly Querrey ('22, '23 P); Stephen Reyes '13 JD, MBA; Kathryn Park Schuldt '91 MBA; Trustee Gordon Segal '60 ('93 P); and Trustee Michael Shannon '83 MBA ('10, '15 P). Vision for the new building The state-of-the-art facility will replace the James L. Allen Center on the Evanston campus. Built with global collaboration in mind, the building's technology and classrooms will bring together students, industry leaders and alumni from around the world. It will double the seating capacity of the Allen Center and is expected to open its doors in fall 2027. Construction progress to date Significant milestones have already been achieved in the construction process. The demolition of the Allen Center was completed ahead of schedule and sustainably, with concrete from the foundations, slabs, and walls processed and reused to make construction roads and working pads. Next phases of construction As the project moves forward, construction will focus on earth retention and de-watering, mass excavation and the completion of underground utilities. After that, the concrete structure buildout will begin, including the erection of a tower crane and the shaping of elevator and stair cores. A dedicated crew will connect the Kellogg Global Hub to the new building through the underground corridor, connecting Kellogg's flagship buildings. Photos from the groundbreaking ceremony and a new model of the Kellogg building can be accessed here. Media contact: Mary Naset / [email protected] View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Kellogg School of Management
