063-Annual-Report-2023-v13 Final pages - Flipbook - Page 8
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The key to HyFlex success? Focusing on tools and tech that
serve students
HyFlex doctoral programs in the College of Education
have allowed our faculty to maintain academic rigor while
increasing flexibility for students. Since introducing HyFlex
options across multiple programs, our College has added
more than 80 new students into our doctoral programs.
April Pelt, director of online education for the College, said
that eliminating the geographic and logistical hurdles that
create “education deserts” is key to the mission of Clemson
University.
“Students learn alongside one another regardless of the
modality they choose,” Pelt said. “Being able to implement
high-quality HyFlex programs and meet students where
they are is a key strategy in fulfilling our land-grant
mission.”
Pelt said the College has prioritized research-based
training for faculty on how to teach in HyFlex environments,
investments in platforms and technologies that promote
cross-modality collaboration and community building, and
gathering feedback from students.
Faculty members such as Christy Brown are using the
HyFlex model in exciting ways; despite students attending
classes in different ways, she is still able to utilize a “flipped
Christy Brown works with doctoral students during a
synchronous meeting between in-person and online
students in her quantitative research methods course.
5 | College of Education
classroom” model, which aligns with her active learning
philosophy. Brown moves direct instruction from the group
learning space to the individual learning space, where
the resulting group space is transformed into a dynamic,
interactive learning environment where the educator guides
students as they apply concepts and engage creatively in
the subject matter.
“I post prerecorded videos where I work through examples
that students can view on their own time,” Brown said.
“Class meeting times then consist of student explorations
involving a variety of active learning experiences. This
approach works particularly well in the HyFlex model,
where students can opt to attend class virtually or in
person.”
Pelt said she is confident the demand for such programs
will increase, as will the tools and platforms to deliver
them. She said the College will remain adaptable while
determining which tools and platforms afford it the
opportunity to meet the needs of faculty and students.
Currently, five doctoral programs in the College of
Education are offered via the HyFlex format in addition to
multiple online master’s programs which collectively are
ranked #1 in the nation.