What happens to student learning when the classroom no longer has just one doorway? That was the guiding question in Professor Brian Beatty’s Friday SLO Talk, where he unpacked how HyFlex courses expand access without losing sight of what matters most: evidence of learning.
What Does Learning Mean in HyFlex?
HyFlex (Hybrid + Flexible) courses give students a choice: they can participate in person, online synchronously, or asynchronously—sometimes shifting mode from one week to the next. Beatty emphasized that this flexibility does not dilute learning. Instead, it requires intentional design to ensure:
- Equivalence → Different paths (face-to-face or online) must lead to equivalent Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs).
- Accessibility → Every student, regardless of mode, must have access to the same opportunities.
- Consistency → Assessments must be aligned across all modalities so that students are held to the same standards.
Learning, in Beatty’s terms, means demonstrating competencies in observable ways—whether through quizzes, projects, presentations, or authentic tasks.
Assessment in HyFlex
Beatty highlighted several roles of assessment: measuring achievement, supporting self-evaluation, and informing program improvement. In HyFlex, these roles come with unique challenges:
- Maintaining outcome consistency across modes.
- Designing equivalent assessments, such as recorded presentations for asynchronous learners when live presentations are required in class.
- Balancing flexibility with rigor, so that choice does not compromise standards.
- Providing equitable feedback, including options for asynchronous peer or AI-supported feedback.
He suggested moving away from high-stakes, proctored exams toward low-stakes quizzes and authentic performances that reveal genuine understanding.
The Role of GenAI
Generative AI, according to Beatty, can support student learning in powerful ways:
- Helping asynchronous students stay connected with simulated peers and instructors.
- Offering tools like Quiz Me! and Peer Review Partner that give timely feedback and keep students engaged.
- Assisting faculty with HyFlex planning GPTs—for assessment, engagement, and implementation.
Takeaway
For Beatty, HyFlex is not just about where students learn, but how we verify that learning has happened. Assessment in this environment demands creativity, consistency, and a focus on observable student behavior. Flexibility should expand access and inclusion, while assessment keeps learning grounded in evidence.
📄 Download Brian Beatty’s presentation (PDF)
🎥 Watch the full recording: https://youtu.be/DS44ge2xnNU