The chosen three

When starting to consider the design and application of HyFlex learning and teaching, it is useful to recognise key attributes. This week, we ask you to explore these attributes and how they might apply to your context.

Beatty (2019) has suggested that HyFlex is underpinned by four principles: choice, equivalence, accessibility, and reusability. These are born out of his work and context.

We have found in our own context that the idea of flat learning encompasses many of the attributes of HyFlex. As such we propose our own three attributes of HyFlex: flat learning, choice, and accessibility.

Interpretation of the three attributes, their connection to each, and inclusion or overlap with Beatty’s four principles is shown in the figure below.

Adopting a HyFlex approach means designing learning that accounts for the relationships between:

• Choice: learning mode that works best
• Flat learning: connected, social, no hierarchy
• Accessibility: equality assured by embedded universal design principles

Providing for flat learning and choice ensures equivalent outcomes, and using a digital-first design strategy within the provision of choice and accessibility ensures the reusability of artefacts in all learning modes. In addition, connected learning design supports the relationship between flat learning and accessibility.

Accessibility is dependent on the application of the Universal Design for Learning (UDL). This approach is an effort to create a learning design that is available for everyone to access to the same quality, including students with disabilities (Rose & Meyer, 2006). It highlights the need to have flexible approaches to teaching and learning that is individualised to the learners in the classroom, rather than having one approach for all (Rose & Meyer, 2006). The way this approach can be applied to the accessibility attribute will be discussed further in step 2.4.

Beatty, B. J. (2019). Hybrid-flexible course design. Implementing student directed hybrid classes. Provo, Utah: EdTech Books.

Rose, D. H., & Meyer, A. (2006). A practical reader in universal design for learning. Harvard Education Press.