IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/wly/sustdv/v33y2025i4p4792-4809.html

The Role of Hybrid Learning in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals

Author

Listed:
  • Flavio Martins
  • Luciana Oranges Cezarino
  • Geiser Chalco Challco
  • Lara Liboni
  • Diego Dermeval
  • Ibsen Bittencourt
  • Ranilson Paiva
  • Alan da Silva
  • Leonardo Marques
  • Seiji Isotani
  • Ig Ibert Bittencourt

Abstract

Hybrid learning combines digital learning resources with conventional education approaches to expand educational offerings. While this approach has shown promise in addressing limitations of both online and in‐person instruction, significant challenges remain in ensuring equitable access and sustainable implementation. This study examined hybrid learning's relationship with the sustainable development goals (SDGs) framework through a scoping review analyzing evidence from academic literature (n = 80) and reports from 36 global educational organizations. Our analysis identified 90 potential synergies (54%) and 45 challenges (26%) across social, economic, and environmental dimensions. The findings were analyzed under three main areas: (1) equity promotion through reduced geographical and socioeconomic barriers, (2) crisis response support during disruptions like pandemics and natural disasters, and (3) capacity building opportunities in workforce development. Based on these findings, we propose the SDG‐Hybrid Learning Alignment Framework, including a new SDG Target 4.8 (Digital‐Resilient Education) to guide hybrid learning initiatives. This framework emphasizes infrastructure standards, teaching competencies, equitable resource access, and institutional crisis continuity. Results suggest successful implementation requires integrating digital infrastructure with pedagogical approaches while considering local contexts and institutional capabilities.

Suggested Citation

  • Flavio Martins & Luciana Oranges Cezarino & Geiser Chalco Challco & Lara Liboni & Diego Dermeval & Ibsen Bittencourt & Ranilson Paiva & Alan da Silva & Leonardo Marques & Seiji Isotani & Ig Ibert Bitt, 2025. "The Role of Hybrid Learning in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 33(4), pages 4792-4809, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:sustdv:v:33:y:2025:i:4:p:4792-4809
    DOI: 10.1002/sd.3374
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.3374
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1002/sd.3374?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Rosa Huiju Chen, 2022. "Effects of Deliberate Practice on Blended Learning Sustainability: A Community of Inquiry Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-15, February.
    2. repec:plo:pone00:0152655 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Ricardo Vinuesa & Hossein Azizpour & Iolanda Leite & Madeline Balaam & Virginia Dignum & Sami Domisch & Anna Felländer & Simone Daniela Langhans & Max Tegmark & Francesco Fuso Nerini, 2020. "The role of artificial intelligence in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-10, December.
    4. Vasiliki Kioupi & Nikolaos Voulvoulis, 2019. "Education for Sustainable Development: A Systemic Framework for Connecting the SDGs to Educational Outcomes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(21), pages 1-18, November.
    5. Loan Diep & Flavio Pinheiro Martins & Luiza C. Campos & Pascale Hofmann & Julia Tomei & Monica Lakhanpaul & Priti Parikh, 2021. "Linkages between sanitation and the sustainable development goals: A case study of Brazil," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 29(2), pages 339-352, March.
    6. Franken, Esme & Bentley, Tim & Shafaei, Azadeh & Farr-Wharton, Ben & Onnis, Leigh-ann & Omari, Maryam, 2021. "Forced flexibility and remote working: opportunities and challenges in the new normal," Journal of Management & Organization, Cambridge University Press, vol. 27(6), pages 1131-1149, November.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Aliyu Mustapha & Ahmed Aliyu Palladan, 2026. "Integrating Green Skills Capacity Building for a Climate‐Responsive Workforce: A Comprehensive Review of Development Finance Institutions' Support Towards Achieving SDGs," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 34(S2), pages 966-978, March.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Jiang, Kai & Xin, Baogui & Santibanez Gonzalez, Ernesto D.R., 2025. "Can industrial intelligence promote net-zero development? An analysis of resource dependence," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    2. Dr. Chris Daniel Wong & Dr. Nicole Foo & Dr. Stephen T. Homer & Dr. Chua Keng Soon & Dr. Soon Ee Hooi, 2025. "AI Unlocking the Potential of NGOs," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 9(7), pages 5184-5197, July.
    3. repec:rjr:romjef:v::y:2025:i:3:p:5-23 is not listed on IDEAS
    4. Henrik Skaug Sætra, 2021. "AI in Context and the Sustainable Development Goals: Factoring in the Unsustainability of the Sociotechnical System," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-19, February.
    5. Mohammed Abdullatif Almulla & Mahdi Mohammed Alamri, 2021. "Using Conceptual Mapping for Learning to Affect Students’ Motivation and Academic Achievement," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-17, April.
    6. Xi Liu & Yugang He & Renhong Wu, 2024. "Revolutionizing Environmental Sustainability: The Role of Renewable Energy Consumption and Environmental Technologies in OECD Countries," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-21, January.
    7. Bapon Chandra Kuri & Md. Nahiduzzaman & Bablu Kumar Dhar & Rubaiyat Shabbir & Rejaul Karim, 2025. "Macroeconomic Drivers of Sustainable Tourism Development in Bangladesh: An ARDL Bounds Testing Approach," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 33(3), pages 3918-3940, June.
    8. Bin Xue & Bingsheng Liu & Tao Liang & Dong Zhao & Tao Wang & Xingbin Chen, 2022. "A heterogeneous decision criteria system evaluating sustainable infrastructure development: From the lens of multidisciplinary stakeholder engagement," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 30(4), pages 556-579, August.
    9. Francisco Del Cerro Velázquez & Fernando Lozano Rivas, 2020. "Education for Sustainable Development in STEM (Technical Drawing): Learning Approach and Method for SDG 11 in Classrooms," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-18, March.
    10. Wilson, Christopher & van der Velden, Maja, 2022. "Sustainable AI: An integrated model to guide public sector decision-making," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).
    11. Nagaletchimee Annamalai & Surajwaran Mangaleswaran & Radzuwan Ab Rashid & Marwan Harb Alqaryouti & Ala Eddin Sadeq, 2024. "Learner Experiences of Community of Inquiry Mode (CoI) in WhatsApp for English Language Learning," SAGE Open, , vol. 14(2), pages 21582440241, May.
    12. Stéphanie Camaréna, 2021. "Engaging with Artificial Intelligence (AI) with a Bottom-Up Approach for the Purpose of Sustainability: Victorian Farmers Market Association, Melbourne Australia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-28, August.
    13. Venkat Ram Reddy Ganuthula, 2025. "AI-enabled individual entrepreneurship theory: redefining scale, capability, and sustainability in the digital age," Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 14(1), pages 1-21, December.
    14. Jinyi Li & Zhen Liu & Guizhong Han & Peter Demian & Mohamed Osmani, 2024. "The Relationship Between Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Building Information Modeling (BIM) Technologies for Sustainable Building in the Context of Smart Cities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-38, December.
    15. Keeheon Lee, 2021. "A Systematic Review on Social Sustainability of Artificial Intelligence in Product Design," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-29, March.
    16. Gianluca MISURACA & Colin van Noordt, 2020. "AI Watch - Artificial Intelligence in public services: Overview of the use and impact of AI in public services in the EU," JRC Research Reports JRC120399, Joint Research Centre.
    17. Lee, Chien-Chiang & Zou, Jinyang & Chen, Pei-Fen, 2025. "The impact of artificial intelligence on the energy consumption of corporations: The role of human capital," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 143(C).
    18. Ifeyinwa Juliet Orji & Chukwuebuka Martinjoe U-Dominic, 2026. "The effect of supply chain learning in mitigating the challenges to adopting artificial intelligence for supply chain sustainability," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 358(3), pages 1561-1602, March.
    19. Marzena Smol & Dominika Szołdrowska & Joanna Duda, 2025. "Identification of Barriers and Driving Forces for Circular Economy (CE) Implementation in Water and Wastewater Companies," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 34(2), pages 2167-2189, February.
    20. Lythreatis, Sophie & Acikgoz, Fulya & Yassine, Noura, 2026. "Artificial intelligence in humanitarian aid: A review and future research agenda," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 151(C).
    21. Martins, Flavio Pinheiro & De-León Almaraz, Sofía & Botelho Junior, Amilton Barbosa & Azzaro-Pantel, Catherine & Parikh, Priti, 2024. "Hydrogen and the sustainable development goals: Synergies and trade-offs," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 204(C).

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:wly:sustdv:v:33:y:2025:i:4:p:4792-4809. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Wiley Content Delivery (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/(ISSN)1099-1719 .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.