David Rhoads, an educator, discusses hyflex learning in higher education. He explores the concept of designing for flexibility, the implications of excused absences, increasing flexibility through activity choices, the importance of flexibility in course design, and the power of online learning and face-to-face experiences.
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Quick takeaways
Hyflex learning offers students the choice between in-person, synchronous, and asynchronous modalities.
High flex design requires continuous improvement and gradual implementation, starting with small additions of flexibility to assignments and activities.
Deep dives
High Flex Revisited with David Rhodes
David Rhodes discusses the importance of high flex learning, which gives students the choice of how they participate in learning through multiple modalities such as in-person, synchronous, and asynchronous. He reflects on how the pandemic forced faculty to explore different ways of reaching students and the need for flexibility in teaching. Rhodes emphasizes the need for continuous improvement and gradual implementation of high flex design, starting with small additions of flexibility to assignments and activities. He also mentions the importance of recognizing the value of online learning and using in-person class time for community building and practice.
Understanding the Definition of High Flex Learning
Rhodes clarifies that high flex is a combination of words hybrid and flexible, referring to offering students a choice in how they participate in learning. He highlights the importance of recognizing that high flex is not a specific modality, but a combination of modalities that provide flexibility. He acknowledges variations in definitions across institutions, but emphasizes that the non-negotiable aspect is offering students a choice between at least two modalities. Rhodes addresses the challenges and misconceptions associated with high flex, including the misconception that it requires equal flexibility for every instance of student absence. He recommends gradually increasing flexibility in course design and providing clear choices for students.
The Significance of Building Structured Flexibility
The episode discusses the importance of designing courses with structured flexibility, allowing for emergent learning and student input. Rhodes emphasizes the value of leaving room for flexibility in course design and providing opportunities for student engagement and interactions. He suggests creating assignments and activities that can be completed asynchronously and providing options for students to choose how they want to participate. Rhodes also introduces the concept of high structure facilitation, which balances structure and flexibility, and encourages faculty to consider designing courses with the intention of gradually increasing flexibility over time.
The Evolution of High Flex and Its Challenges
Rhodes addresses the challenges and concerns surrounding high flex learning, including the initial resistance faculty faced due to the sudden implementation of high flex as a solution during the pandemic. He acknowledges the added workload and lack of training and support for faculty, leading to frustration and the negative perception of high flex. Rhodes emphasizes the importance of recognizing that high flex is not about doing everything at once, but gradually incorporating flexibility into course design. He highlights the need for faculty to recalibrate their teaching approaches and embrace the potential of online learning to complement in-person experiences.
David Rhoads and Bonni Stachowiak revisit the topic of hyflex learning on episode 478 of the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast.
Quotes from the episode
Hyflex in general is a choice between in person and synchronous, or in person and asynchronous, or a choice of all three of those things.
-David Rhoads