Parents and guardians play an important role in successful online learning; they are normally the people checking on their students while they work. Navigating the shift to hybrid learning has been a journey for everyone involved—parents, students, and educators alike. The COVID-19 pandemic, with its school closures and move to remote and hybrid models, created a unique opportunity for school systems to build trust and leverage parental involvement to support student learning (Weisskirk & O'Bryon, 2021). Just like keeping students engaged, educators must keep families engaged as well.
Communication is important for parent engagement in a hybrid-learning environment. Families hold the key to providing a door into what students are facing at home, teaching and learning wins, and potential challenges (Carling, 2020). A strategy that will encourage parents/guardians to allow/continue their students to participate in an online course is a parent/guardian online forum. The point of this forum will be to create a safe space for parents/guardians to share questions, comments, concerns, and suggestions regarding their child’s experiences with online learning.
Another strategy that adds to the online forums is “Town Hall” meetings that parents/guardians can attend virtually. During the “Town Hall”, parents/guardians can ask questions, voice their concerns, and make suggestions. The “Town Hall” can take place through a video-conferencing platform such as Zoom or Google Meet. Another option is to have parents/guardians submit their questions, comments, concerns, and suggestions ahead of time. Then teachers, administration, etc. can answer them through a live video or a pre-recorded video.
Navigating hybrid learning has been a shared experience, and parents are an essential part of that journey. Strategies like a parent/guardian online forum and virtual "Town Hall" meetings are powerful ways to acknowledge their role and give them a voice. By creating these spaces for feedback and dialogue, we can move beyond simply informing parents and truly collaborate with them. This partnership not only strengthens the student's support system but also builds a more resilient and connected school community for the future.
Carling, L., EdD. (2023, April 11). 5 Tips for Teachers: How to Boost Your Relationships with Families of Students with Disabilities During Virtual Learning. JHU School of Education. https://education.jhu.edu/news/5-tips-for-teachers-how-to-boost-your-relationships-with-families-of-students-with-disabilities-during-virtual-learning/
Weisskirk, L., & O’Bryon, E. (2021, September 17). 5 ways to engage families around student learning (and why you should!). EdReports. Retrieved August 9, 2025, from https://edreports.org/resources/article/5-ways-to-engage-families-around-student-learning-and-why-you-should