This article will review HyFlex teaching tips and best practices. Please see Using the ViewSonic Interactive Display for instructions on using the classroom technology.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Lesley credentials and two-factor authentication
- HyFlex design
- HyFlex engagement
- HyFlex teaching
- HyFlex resources
Lesley credentials and two-factor authentication
When teaching in a HyFlex classroom you will be logging in to your accounts on the ViewSonic display with your Lesley credentials. If you have forgotten your password you will need to reset it.
Remember to bring your mobile phone! When you log in to your Lesley accounts you will need to verify your identity using Office 365 multi-factor authentication. If you do not have your authenticator preferences set up to go to your mobile phone (but rather your home or office phone), you may change your multi-factor authentication settings
HyFlex design
Design for the online, virtual experience first and then incorporate the in-person experience. This will create a better learning environment for both your online and in-person students.
- Chunk your class time into shorter intervals.
- Focus on your activity goals/outcomes. What do you want to accomplish during class? This will help you decide on your technology needs and the space you need for your design.
HyFlex engagement
Remember, you are in a Zoom meeting. You just happen to have people in your space along with you. All the remote teaching you did this past year should translate well to the HyFlex environment.
- Keep in mind that to engage the virtual student you need to make eye contact with the camera. You can do this by speaking directly to the camera on the ViewSonic display or by logging in to Zoom on your laptop (as well as on the ViewSonic).
- Be mindful of your physical movement and position in the space of the classroom to stay within vision of the camera and to the in-person students. You may need to pivot to address the in-person students and then pivot to address the online students.
- Slow down. Do not talk over people and take care to ensure that only one person speaks at a time. Zoom cannot handle multiple voices well.
- The microphones in the classroom do a good job of picking up sounds in the room. However, they may not always pick up softer spoken students. Repeat or summarize what others have said in the classroom to ensure that the online students were able to hear them.
- Build in break times to allow your virtual students to step away from the screen. This is especially useful for long classes.
- Provide check-in breaks for your students to ensure that they are fully understanding the content.
- Create a policy for virtual students to interrupt. Allow them to unmute and ask questions as you are teaching.
HyFlex teaching
In order to ensure that both your in-class students and your online students can view your lecture materials, you will want to ensure that you share your content digitally.
Using the HyFlex Classroom Technology
Using the ViewSonic Interactive Display will walk you through the basics of using the HyFlex technology in your classroom.
Using a Whiteboard
The simplest way to share a whiteboard with your students is to use Zoom's built-in whiteboard. Then you can use the stylus (or your finger) on the ViewSonic to write or draw on the digital whiteboard.
Sharing Presentations and Documents
To share a presentation or document, share your screen in Zoom. This will ensure that all your students can view your content regardless of their location. As a best practice, we recommend saving your file in multiple places just in case you run into technical issues.
Using cloud storage (OneDrive, Google Drive, etc.)
Save your presentation or document to cloud storage such as OneDrive or Google Drive. Then login to your account on the ViewSonic, open your file, then share your screen in Zoom.
Using a USB flash drive
Save your presentation or document to a USB flash drive. Insert your drive into one of the USB ports on the front of the ViewSonic display. Locate your file, open it, and share your screen in Zoom.
Use your laptop
Save your presentation or document to your laptop. Log in to Zoom from your laptop (don't log out of Zoom on the ViewSonic display). Then open your file and share your screen in Zoom.
Showing Videos
In order to show videos in class, share your screen in Zoom. When you share your screen, be sure to select the option at the bottom of the screen to share sound.
Digital Media (YouTube, Vimeo, Library video resources, Kaltura, etc.)
In order to share digital media (including YouTube, Vimeo, library video resources, Kaltura videos, etc.), open your video on your computer, and share your screen in Zoom.
Physical Media (DVD)
In order to share a DVD, you will need to ensure that you have a laptop with a DVD player, or you can connect one to your computer. Open the video on your computer, login to Zoom from your laptop (don't log out of Zoom on the ViewSonic display) and share your screen in Zoom.
HyFlex resources
- Beatty, B. J. (2019). Hybrid-flexible course design. EdTech Books. The bibliography section is a great resource.
- YouTube, Bryan Alexander, The Future Trends Forum
- What is HyFlex Teaching? with Brian Beatty, June 2020, [1:05:12]
- Stories of HyFlex with Brian Beatty, Sept 2020 [52:55]
- YouTube, SUNY CPD Videos(Also, includes helpful tips and classroom engagement ideas)
- YouTube, Ever Educating
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