Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education International Conference 2014

Jacksonville, Florida, United States

March 17-21, 2014

Towards Flexible Learning for Adult Students: HyFlex Design

Mariam Abdelmalak, Ph.D.The New Valley College of EducationAssiut University

Agenda:

• HyFlex Design• HyFlex Design and Andragogy• The Purpose of the Study• Methodology• The Design of an Educational technology Course That

Followed the HyFlex Design• Students’ Perspectives• Conclusion

HyFlex Design:

HyFlex Design and AndragogyAndragogy HyFlex Design

Self-concept of self-directedness, resulting in a desire of having some control over learning

The differences and richness of adult experiences; a need for avoiding “one size fits all” approach;

Students as learning resources for one another

Providing choices regarding their mode of participation, resulting in a sense of control

The combination of face-to-face and online approaches results in multiple paths to instruction;

Students learn from each other through threaded discussions and other out-of-class activities.

Andragogy HyFlex Design Adult orientation to learning;Relevance to real world situations

Motivated by having choices about how, where, and when to learn Motivated by having a sense of personal control of the learning context.

Flexibility to attend class in person or online, depending on their schedule, personality, work/family requirements, etc., results in increase the relevance of the learning environment to adult learners’ life circumstances.Flexible choices to participate online, F2F, or both;

Students control the time & place of their participation

The Purpose of the Study

• The purpose of this study was to answer the following question:

What are students’ perceptions of HyFlex design

Methodology• Qualitative Case Study.• Data Gathering Methods:

Observation: a graduate educational technology course for one semester.

In Depth-Interview: 6 graduate students.Recordings of class meetings Students’ coursework such as assignments and

presentations • Analysis: The cross case analysis

The Design of an Educational technology Course That Followed the HyFlex Design:

Before the HyFlex Design After the HyFlex DesignFace-to-face

Meeting every week

Face-to-face + online (adobe connect room) + class recordings

Meeting twice a month

Sample Week:Face-to-face students

Online students Students who do not attend either face-to-face or online

Share verbally thought & ideas

Can use chat in adobe connect room

Face-to-face students collaborate together

Share verbally using microphone and share screen features in adobe connect roomUse chat

Online students collaborate together using adobe connect room

Listen to the class recording, and respond in the discussion area.

Discussion area

Students’ PerspectivesAccommodating students’ needs and their life

circumstances [The instructor] is flexible. It is logical flexibility. She accommodates the fact that we have a life outside our academic life. It is recognition of the fact that she is working with people who have jobs, kids, and family, and what else can happen. She recognizes we are adults; we are running things that can interfere with the class schedule and prevent us from making the face-to-face sections, so the recordings and the online options are there in case something happens. (Sonia)

Students’ PerspectivesAccommodating students’ needs and their life

circumstancesBy doing that [having face-to-face and online sections], [the instructor] accommodates her students’ needs. She recognizes that in order to meet students’ needs, accommodations need to be met in more ways than just learning accommodations. It is also a physical presence accommodation. I appreciate that. (Sara)

She accommodates my needs of time by allowing me to attend online. Otherwise I would not be able to take this course.

Students’ PerspectivesDifferentiating Instruction

It is how I learned in the past. I am older, and face-to-face is more comfortable to me, technology is not comfortable for me. I like to be in the class and learn from other students and from the instructor; it just felt more comfortable for me. (Tina)

I LOVE online learning. It is the best way to learn. You get the online content, discussion and resources that are quickly delivered and available 24 hour. This lesson needs to be shared with many instructors, that we can learn online and do not have to be sitting in chairs listening to a lecture in order to learn. (Sara)

Students’ Perspectives• Increasing access

I think there are many advantages of having multiple delivery modes, like the advantage of just having the option if something happens, so you do not feel like you are missing out. Last class, I did not attend the face-to-face meeting because I was sick, but I listened to the recording. I felt like I was there, and then I participated in the discussion area [Canvas’ discussion]. (Karl)

Students’ Perspectives• Encouraging student control

Traditional delivery is a matter of control from the school and from the instructor, it forces you to conform to what they want and what they believe is the most efficient method of delivery. But in this class, we recognize that the most efficient method of delivery may be different for each person. Due to constraints external to our academic life, we may not be able to attend class in person but will benefit from the online option. If something comes up where we cannot even attend the online section, then we benefit from the recordings because we can listen to what was covered. So it is recognizing that not everyone has to attend every class and take notes. We are taking control of our own learning situation, rather than someone else taking control of it. (Sonia)

Conclusion:• Adult learners need flexible learning so they can balance

study, work, family and other commitments.

• The HyFlex course design acknowledges that learners have different needs and preferences concerning participation in the instructional environment and activities.

• The HyFlex course design encourages students to study when and where they are able to so.

• Educators of adult learners are actively encouraged to find effective and flexible delivery models to provide all students with more convenient access to quality learning experiences than is possible with traditional on campus offerings alone.

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2006 Association for Educational Communication and Technology International Conference, Dallas, TX.• Beatty, B. (2007a). Hybrid classes with flexible participation options – If you build it, how will they come?

Processing of the 2007 Association for Educational Communications and Technology Annual Convention, Anaheim, CA.

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http://sloanconsortium.org/conference/2012/blended/hyflex-course-design-advantages-letting-students-choose-blend

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Q & A

Thank You