Since the COVID-19 pandemic, blended learning, online learning, and hybrid learning have become familiar to most people, particularly learners and educators. The conveniences of these formats are undeniable—they allow us to learn from the comfort of our homes and easily connect with others with just a click of a mouse. Additionally, these learning models enable multitasking, saving valuable time that would otherwise be spent commuting between locations.
In this blog, I will share some information related to the Hybrid-Flexible (Hy-Flex) Learning Model which originally came from the Instructional Technologies (ITEC) graduate program at San Francisco State University by Dr. Beatty, B.J, and his team. You can find the original paper here: EdTech Books
So back in 2005, the department realized they needed to increase enrollment in their MA program. They had considered moving the program entirely online to reach more students, but faced challenges:
○ Lack of institutional support: No resources to build an online program.
○ Faculty expertise: No teachers trained in online teaching.
○ Student interest: Students might not want an online option, especially since they were already located near the university.
Therefore, creating a fully online program seemed impossible under these circumstances. That went the hybrid-flexible course was designed to “bridge” the need of online students and still serve their current face to face students. Below is some key features of this model which was drawn:
Hy-Flex course design defintion
Similar to other model, HyFlex offers students who are the direct users, several important benefits.
The first is to make courses more accessible by making accommodations for people whose schedules or personal circumstances prevent them from attending in person. Therefore, having flexible options will give students more control over their everyday schedules. The second is that, HyFlex provides varied learning resources and options which helps to enhance the educational experience. Finally, by giving students the freedom to decide for themselves when and how best to learn and finish course requirements, HyFlex solves the common challenge of balancing school and other life obligations
HyFlex does, however, come with a number of drawbacks. Firstly, students must know how to effectively manage their time and schedule their in-person or online attendance in advance. Along with dependable technology and internet connectivity, the online option requires the capacity to maintain concentrate, which is difficult given the numerous potential distractions in this digital age. Plus, it takes self-motivation and discipline to succeed in an online environment, especially when the content might be less engaging or harder to get into.
In my opinion, HyFlex is not just a trend—it’s a solid approach to teaching and learning in this digital age. But it only works best when schools and instructors are well prepared. This means having the right tools, proper training times, and support in place. Moreover, instructors need to be trained to teach both online and in-person effectively, and students might need extra help navigating the technology and online learning environment.
With careful planning and the right support, HyFlex has the potential to improve learning for a lot of students and make education more flexible and accessible for everyone.
Thank you for this insightful post on HyFlex learning! I agree it’s a great way to make education more accessible and accommodating.
I think that it may be feasible to offer core classes in a HyFlex format. These could be especially beneficial for students with scheduling challenges, such as those taking extended vacations or who are chronically absent, by helping them stay on course for credit completion.
I also appreciate your emphasis on the importance of training and support for both students (and their parents??) and instructors to ensure its success. Thanks for highlighting this promising approach!
I discussed this podcast interviewing Beatty in my blog post, but I think you may find it interesting!
https://thinkudl.org/episodes/hyflex-course-design-model-with-brian-beatty
Hi Christina,
Thank you for sharing the podcast with me. I look forward to listening to it. I have not had any experience in Hy-Flex, but from my reading of Dr. Beatty’s work and what I have known, each teaching mode has its benefits and costs. So it is up to the institution and instructor to decide which one they would use to meet the needs of their students and the course’s objectives. And you are right, we do need support from parents as well.
Great post, Van. You do a great job of highlighting both the potential and challenges of the HyFlex learning model. I agree that that the success of HyFlex depends on preparation and support for instructors. Teaching both in-person and online effectively is a complex skill that requires training. This dual role demands significant effort, which makes institutional support essential to avoid faculty burnout.
Hi Mariah,
Thank you for your kind feedback. I totally agree that no educator should have to navigate the challenges of teaching alone. So it is always great to receive support from all corners, the administrator, the students, the parents, and the community.
I completely agree with your perspective on the HyFlex model! It truly has the potential to make education more flexible and accessible, especially for students with varied schedules and circumstances. The benefits of allowing students to choose their mode of learning can make a significant difference in engagement and success. However, as you rightly pointed out, proper preparation, including faculty training and robust technological support, is essential for it to work effectively. HyFlex is not just a trend, but a practical solution for modern education.
Thank you for your thoughts. Please share if you have had any experiences in a similar teaching model, I would love to hear how it went for you!
Hey Van Lam,
I completely agree with you that after COVID-19, it has been a game changer for both learners and educators. We’ve all become more familiar with technology, online, and blended learning, which are so flexible and comfortable. With just a click of a mouse, we can connect from anywhere.
The advantages you mentioned about online and blended learning—like multitasking and saving valuable time—are so true. The way you explained HyFlex learning in your blog was really interesting, and your personal experiences added great depth to it.
I also loved the video you included—it was very engaging. Great work!
Thank you for your kind feedback, Sonia. I am certain that you might find some other advantages and disadvantages to share.
Thanks Van Lam for your in-depth analysis of the HyFlex learning model! I had yet to take a look at Dr. Beatty, B.J’s work, and so this was a very insightful summary. I feel like the three challenges they faced are common to any implementation of technology in education. There’s lack of resources or funds to provide tools to each student, educators who haven’t been properly trained on the tools, and uncertainty around whether the tools will actually be beneficial enough to make it all worthwhile. It’s funny to see how these challenges don’t just affect the nitty gritty aspects, but also the learning model as a whole.
The benefits and drawbacks you’ve mentioned make a lot of sense and I cannot agree more that success in online courses is heavily reliant on a student’s ability to keep themselves motivated. Taking a course because it’s of interest to the student will be much easier to stay engaged with than a course a student is taking out of requirement. It often takes practice for students to gain this ability, but if they can find a way to balance their workload then HyFlex really does seem like the ideal learning model.
Thank you Joshua for your comments. As an instructional designer, you have to create many engaging learning materials for both instructors and students, have you had the experience of designing a Hy-Flex course? If yes, what could be the biggest pros and cons for you as a course designer?