LDT Thin Header Roses-7.png

HyFlex Course Model

Credit to NIU Keep Teaching

HyFlex is a course design model that presents the components of hybrid learning in a flexible course structure that gives students the option of attending sessions in the classroom, participating online, or doing both. Students can change their mode of attendance weekly or by topic, according to need or preference. Models like HyFlex, which present multiple paths through course content, may work well for courses where students arrive with varying levels of expertise or background in the subject matter. Courses built on the HyFlex model help to break down the boundary between the virtual classroom and the physical one. By allowing students access to both platforms, the design encourages discussion threads to move from one platform to the other. For more information on Hyflex please follow the provided links at the bottom of this page.

The Dual Delivery Model

Dual delivery refers to an instructor's ability to offer their classroom experience at a distance via synchronous tools such as Zoom, Google Meet, or Bongo within Learn. It differs slightly from the Hyflex model as the classroom experience is not necessarily replaced by a course designed for students to move fluidly between coming to class (in this case a virtual class) and working strictly online. Instead, the class is generally taught the same as before, but with the face to face portion supplemented by a live synchronous meeting running concurrently. In the dual delivery model students have the option of coming to the face to face class or participating remotely. However, in deference to the Hyflex model the classroom experience, f2f or virtual, is not necessarily replaced with online coursework/videos/modules/etc. Learners are expected to attend, whether f2f or virtual, in order to have all the tools available to move forward in the course. Here at Bradley University we have the three previously mentioned tools available for use both within classrooms as well as remotely using your faculty issued laptop. With the varied on-campus and remote possibilities available here are some main points to help you achieve success both for yourself and for students.

Dual delivery can allow for interactions between learners at a distance with both you and in-class students. This does take some diligence on the part of the instructor and we would encourage students at a distance to virtually "Raise their Hand" (Zoom/Meet/Bongo) or to type any questions they might have into the Chat function of each of these tools. (Zoom,Meet,Bongo) Instructors may need to make a point of checking these features at intervals during synchronous delivery.
Group work is still possible! We would recommend posting the link for your (Zoom/Meet/Bongo) for all members of the course. Should group work need to be completed f2f students can dial in to the meeting using either their personal laptops or phones to include distance learners.
Equipment Needed (and options): At a minimum each faculty member should have the following available to them. Laptop, Webcam (included in most laptops), and Microphone (included in most laptops). Some classrooms may also be set up as Zoom Rooms, have an in room webcam, be equipped with boundary microphones, or either an in-room document camera or portable document camera.
Workflow for dual delivery in a Zoom Enabled Room: (WES 15, 26, 30, 116S, 116N, 212, 214, 310, 312, 316, 326: GCC126: BR 139 &146: Olin 164 & 168)
- Set up your scheduled classroom meetings using the Zoom tool within Learn/Canvas. This will allow access to your synchronous meeting for each student within your class.
- Log into the computer in the room and sign into Zoom.
- Start your meeting.
- Advanced: If you'd like, you can then use your laptop to navigate to the meeting using the meeting ID in a browser window. Zoom will not allow you to sign in, however, this gives you an extra camera if you'd like, or you could connect to the room's equipment via HDMI and share video/audio with both the online and in person class. This workflow can get a little on the confusing side, however, and I would recommend time spent practicing before attempting in a live class.
Workflow for dual delivery in a full Zoom Room: (BECC 250, 1120, 1122, 1222, 1260, 2140, 2160, 2241, 2259, 3170, 3224, 3225, 3240, 3261, 4240, 4242, 4261)
- Set up your scheduled classroom meetings using the Zoom tool within Learn or Sakai. This will allow access to your synchronous meeting for each student within your class.
- Upon entrance to the classroom enter the meeting id into the Ipad located within the room. This will start your meeting and students will be able to join from the link within Learn/Canvas.
- Connect your laptop to the classroom technology as you normally would.
- If you are recording make both a verbal announcement and announce in the chat.
- Make sure to check the chat/hand raising tools within your Zoom/Meet/Bongo meeting often.
- Deliver your class. When finished end the meeting on the Ipad.
- This will record your meeting in the cloud and you can access by navigating to Panopto and searching the meeting ID. Then move that video into the proper course folder for viewing by your students at a later date. (Links to an external site.) This automated sync does take some time to upload for large recordings.
Workflow for dual delivery in a regular classroom.
- Set up your scheduled classroom meetings using the Zoom tool within Learn or Sakai. This will allow access to your synchronous meeting for each student within your class.
- Upon entrance to the classroom (if available) plug the external webcam/doc cam/boundary microphones (in that order). Depending on available ports you may need to switch between a doc cam or boundary microphone depending on your use case.
- Connect to the classroom technology. (Preferably using HDMI)
- Start your Zoom meeting on your laptop.
- If you are recording make both a verbal announcement and announce in the chat.
- In Zoom we recommend recording to the cloud. Upon class completion this will sync to Panopto and you can navigate to the Panopto tool in your site, select My Folder from the folders dropdown, Select Meeting recordings, then move that video into the proper course folder for viewing by your students at a later date. (Links to an external site.) This automated sync does take some time to upload for large recordings. Having trouble finding your recordings? Please contact learn@bradley.edu for assistance.
- Make sure to check the chat/hand raising tools within your Zoom/Meet/Bongo meeting often.
- When finished, go ahead and end the meeting.

Learn More

7 Things You Should Know About the HyFlex Course Model, EDUCAUSE
Hybrid-Flexible Course Design: Implementing student-directed hybrid classes, eBook by Brian J. Beatty
The HyFlex Option for Instruction, Inside Higher Ed
Fall Scenario: A HyFlex Model, Inside Higher Ed
Using the HyFlex Course and Design Process, Online Learning Consortium
COVID-19 Planning for Fall 2020: A Closer Look at Hybrid-Flexible Course Design, PhilOnEdTech
Student Choice, Instructor Flexibility: Moving Beyond the Blended Instructional Model, Issues and Trends in Learning Technologies
Promoting active learning and equity in a HyFlex course, Griffith University
Hyflex Teaching [video], Cambrian College
Hyflex Learning, Teaching in Higher Ed Podcast
Can HyFlex Options Support Students in the Midst of Uncertainty?, EDUCAUSE Review

For more details or to discuss further whether the HyFlex model might work for your course, reach out to the learn@bradley.edu