The Learning Lab experience is supported by both asynchronous and synchronous components. Each part includes a set of resources, an asynchronous discussion, and an interactive live session, all of which culminate in the development of a project to apply learning to local and specific contexts in support of the learning objectives.
Schedule
Part 1: HyFlex Opportunities and Planning
April 14, 2025, 12:00–1:30 p.m. ET
This is a live session to learn the details of the Learning Lab, the Canvas site, and expectations for the microcredential. There will also be time to get to know your fellow Lab partners and facilitators. In this session, you will also gain a solid understanding of HyFlex learning, identify opportunities and needs at your institution, and begin the process of creating a high-level plan for a HyFlex course. You’ll also begin to explore the intricacies of evaluating the impact of this approach.
Part 2: The Basics of HyFlex Course Design
April 17, 2025, 12:00–1:30 p.m. ET
HyFlex course design challenges faculty and institutions to develop high-quality, effective learning opportunities for both online and classroom students who are participants in a single learning community. HyFlex courses have been used in a wide variety of courses, disciplines, and institutions since 2005 and have been shown to be effective at supporting student learning across all modes of instruction. In this session, you’ll explore the fundamental HyFlex design principles, review the suggested HyFlex course design process, and begin planning an approach that will work in your own course(s).
Part 3: Evaluating the Impact of HyFlex Course Design
April 22, 2025, 12:00–1:30 p.m. ET
HyFlex courses are typically used to provide equitable access to high-quality educational opportunities and solve specific problems associated with the course delivery format. Some important reason always motivates the use of HyFlex courses, given that teaching (and potentially learning) in multiple formats is more complicated than common, single-mode instruction. Is HyFlex “worth it”? How can you evaluate the impact of HyFlex courses on student performance, satisfaction, and other metrics of interest? In this session, you’ll explore some of the common findings in current research and begin to plan how you can measure your own HyFlex success locally.
Part 4: Completing the Design and Planning for Hyflex
April 29, 2025, 12:00–1:30 p.m. ET
In the final section of the workshop, it's time to wrap up your initial design work and put together a high-level plan for your first HyFlex course. In this plan, consider the need for hybrid and flexible participation paths for students, and how the content, assessment plans, and engagement approaches will fit each mode. Building on what you’ve learned, you should include decisions (or estimations) of how well your institution and department/program are prepared to support a HyFlex implementation. Is your technology ready? Have you planned your communications and support for students? Include initial planning to evaluate key aspects and measures that matter to you during or after your HyFlex implementation. Describe important unresolved issues and questions you want answered after the implementation to help you design data-generating activities that support your data-gathering requirements.
Lab Project/Assignments
You will have the opportunity to draft an initial, high-level design plan for a HyFlex course focused on the implementation of HyFlex principles. Include some discussion on the context and need for HyFlex and a design framework addressing outcomes, content, engagement, assessment, and any known implementation factors.