HyFlex

HyFlex: The defining characteristic of “flexible hybrid” courses (often shortened to “HyFlex”) is that these courses include a face-to-face component but physical attendance is not required. Students enrolled in HyFlex courses have the option to attend face-to-face sessions, or they can choose to participate in instructional activities online. A HyFlex course may take many forms; below are the most common.

• Parallel Sessions: Students are given the option to attend face-to-face sessions or complete a set of online activities that parallel the face-to-face activities. Typically, the parallel online activities can be completed at any time over the course of a given week, although instructors can set those parameters. Students who plan to participate 100% online must register for the online section. Students who register for the face-to-face section and decide to participate entirely online instead should contact their instructor asap.
• Combined Sessions (Live-casting): The instructor delivers live class sessions. Some students attend face-to-face, others are “streamed-in” via a tool like Blackboard Collaborate. Students who plan to participate 100% online must register for the online section. Note: Live casting or simulcasting face-to-face sessions is not an option for fall 2020 due to limited technological resources.
• Alternate Sessions (Split Attendance Model): Students are split into three groups: One group participates 100% online; these students must register for the online section. The remaining groups are assigned to alternate days of face-to-face instruction and that instruction repeats. For example, students attend on Mondays or Wednesdays; the instructional content of those class sessions is the same. The remaining instruction takes place online (watching lectures, participating in discussion, etc.).
• Modifications/Combinations: Faculty can combine or adapt the HyFlex models for their course outcomes and teaching style. For example, a course could offer a weekly face-to-face check-in that is replicated (parallel session) or streamed (combined session) online and offer the remainder of instruction online for all students. Or a class could be largely online, with a few in-person sessions (that are streamed or have parallel activities) at key points in the term to help keep students on track or further clarify key points.

Photo courtesy of Andrew Neel on Unsplash.