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Workshop Topic Detail

Offering Students Flexibility: How to Plan Your HyFlex Implementation

Description

As a result of the pandemic forcing instruction online, educators have gained a new toolkit that allows us to provide the flexibility our students need. Why not take advantage of this experience and our newfound skills to support student success? Hybrid Flexible (HyFlex) is a course design model that presents the components of hybrid learning in a flexible course structure that offers students the option to attend in person or virtually for every class meeting. Students are able to migrate between face-to-face and online, synchronous instruction in the same week depending on what course experience they desire. There are several key components to a successful HyFlex implementation including training, support, course design, technology, and measurable goals. This workshop helps faculty prepare to implement a HyFlex instructional mode in their courses. The facilitator provides a wealth of resources to support learning about HyFlex implementation and practical, hands-on activities for faculty to begin to design their own HyFlex course alongside their peers..

By the end of this workshop, participants know or will be able to:

  • List the key components of HyFlex Implementation.
  • Identify what makes this course modality different than the traditional hybrid, online, or classroom instruction.
  • Assess student learning outcomes, student learning activities, assessment strategies, engagement techniques, and course content to determine the suitability of offering a HyFlex course.
  • Determine an initial evaluation plan for assessing the return on expectations of your HyFlex course implementation.

Plans for Audience Participation and Interaction:

Participants will engage in think-pair-share discussions, small group discussions, and polls accessed using a QR code. The results of the polls will be anonymously shared during the presentation portions of the workshop. Attendees will be provided a series of worksheets to complete alongside their peers and take back to their institution covering topics such as: Assessing the suitability of student learning outcomes; reviewing existing content; planning for new content; student engagement options; and planning for HyFlex implementation. These worksheets will allow faculty to create an action plan for their specific course and identify ways to implement the workshop learning outcomes.

Facilitator(s)

Facilitator Photo

Stephanie Long has almost 20 years of professional GIS experience, almost 10 years of higher education teaching experience, a master's degree in Geography from Texas State University, and a GISP certification. Currently she is a professor of GIS at Austin Community College (ACC) where she develops classroom and online curriculum for GIS courses and also serves as the department chair for GIS and GE. Stephanie enjoys bringing her real-world experience to the classroom to better prepare her students for a career in GIS. Mrs. Long has taught several HyFlex courses at ACC since the fall of 2021 and serves as the facilitator for the HyFlex institute faculty training within the Office of Distance and Alternative Education, reaching dozens of faculty across 11 campuses and 10 areas of study. Recently, the Geography Department of Texas State University presented Stephanie with the Mary Beth Booth Award for Outstanding Service by an Extramural Educator in recognition of her history in preparing students for success. Stephanie was also spotlighted by Austin Community College for her work developing online GIS courses and was announced as ACC eFaculty of the Year for 2020. She is officially certified by the Quality Matters global organization for Applying the QM Rubric to online course design and for serving as a peer reviewer. Stephanie loves spending time with family, camping, hiking with her dog, bird watching, photography, and pretty much anything outdoors.