Opportunity
Cambrian College wanted to offer its students more flexible learning options that complement how they live, work and learn. Students acknowledged the need for flexible, customizable, technology-enhanced learning opportunities that suit their busy lifestyles. It’s why Cambrian College emphasized flexible teaching models in its 2015-2019 strategic plan, and why it designed and developed three graduate certificate programs with flexibility as the cornerstone:
- Business Analytics
- Crime Analytics
- Community & Health Services Navigation
In the 2018-2019 academic year, Cambrian College launched these three programs using a hybrid flexible model known as HyFlex, with the goal of giving students the greatest possible choice within a formal learning program.
Melanie Lefebvre, Professor and Program Coordinator of the Community & Health Services Navigation program, is one of the pioneering faculty to use this method. She benefited from a virtual mentorship with Dr. Brian Beatty, Associate Professor of Instructional Technologies at San Francisco State University, and the founding father and lead expert of the HyFlex teaching model.
Innovation
The hybrid flexible course format, otherwise known as HyFlex, combines elements of classroom-based learning and online learning. Central to this model is the principle that learning is equivalent, regardless of the mode.
Each class session and learning activity is offered in-person, synchronously online (live) and asynchronously online (after the class took place). For each class, students can decide how they want to participate, which means they are free to study when and where they want based on their own needs and preferences.
Cambrian College has classrooms with microphones and video cameras, which live stream and record classes. Students not in the actual classroom can watch in real time or view the recording after. Virtual students can see and hear the instructor, view the presentation and whiteboard annotations, and participate in class discussions.
Professor Lefebvre uses Zoom to stream and record her classes. She likes the ability to upload lectures independently and to customize them as needed. If an activity did not work for asynchronous learners, she created a mini video specifically for them, which could be viewed by all students to reinforce concepts. She encouraged participation across all modes of delivery, and for class discussions, synchronous students connected via FaceTime.
Watch a video clip of Professor Lefebvre’s HyFlex classroom
Pre-pandemic, most students currently enrolled in the HyFlex programs opted to attend class in-person. Local students used the synchronous virtual sessions as an option if they couldn’t make it to class, but the majority of local students opted for face-to-face as their main mode of participation.
Benefits/Outcomes
Not only does the HyFlex approach give students more flexibility, it also allows for more autonomy to customize the education experience. Students come to the program with a variety of experience and expertise in the subject and with technology. The HyFlex format lets them choose what works best for them.
Professor Lefebvre said HyFlex is now her students’ preferred instructional method. They like the flexibility and the ability to choose the mode that suits them. Some students need more hands-on guidance in the classroom, while others learn better online.
Among the comments from Professor Lefebvre’s students:
- “It is seamless to take synchronously or asynchronously...”
- “This has been a great experience, especially since everything is virtual and is so distanced, but she makes me feel like I am really part of the class and like I am there with her.”
- “What is most helpful with remote learning is being able to have the choice to arrange my school schedule around my work schedule. I prefer to attend class remotely but appreciate the flexibility that class recordings provide.”
- “Being able to rewatch a lecture is wonderful. This format has changed how I want to experience school.”
By offering equal access and experiences, the HyFlex model reduces barriers and enables students who care for family or work to achieve their academic goals.
Challenges and Enhancements
One of the initial challenges of the HyFlex model for instructors is the additional work in planning classes to accommodate all three modalities. Instructors need to create contingency plans as they don’t know which modality their students may attend. At times there might be only one synchronous student or one person in the classroom. Instructors have to be adaptable and prepared for all situations. The learning must also be made the same for all students, ensuring no student is at a disadvantage due to the learning pathway chosen.
Another challenge is adapting and accommodating the interactive role-playing used to help students apply course content. Professor Lefebvre has to make sure asynchronous students are getting this practice and has to make arrangements to assess them, which usually means meeting on an evening or a weekend virtually.
Some students find the technology component frustrating and challenging at times. Issues can arise when it is assumed all learners are familiar with the chosen technologies. To get around this barrier, Professor Lefebvre keeps an open dialogue with students, and if they are having issues, she works with them and IT support if needed to resolve problems.
Potential
Cambrian College is looking to upgrade some of its classrooms with more cameras and visual technology to improve the connection with virtual students. The College is also exploring a “bring your own device” model. Here students would bring their own laptop and headset to the college to increase the capability for in-class students to connect with those attending live online. The use of these devices and Zoom can improve group dynamics and enhance group activities used frequently in the graduate certificate programs.
For Further Information
Melanie Lefebvre
Professor and Program Coordinator, Community & Health Services Navigation
Cambrian College of Applied Arts and Technology
Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
[email protected]
Jenni Hayman
Chair, Teaching & Learning
Cambrian College of Applied Arts and Technology
Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
[email protected]
