When it comes to predicting what teaching will entail in the upcoming fall semester, the most valuable advice we've received is to expect the unexpected. One of the essential traits that teachers must possess is adaptability since while some students may be physically present in the classroom, others may not have that luxury. Consequently, educators must be equipped to communicate effectively with students who will be attending classes remotely while also ensuring that they are adequately prepared to teach in-person.
In the current educational setup, the terms "blended" or "hybrid" class have taken on a new meaning. Typically, a blended class involves a teaching strategy that combines at-home and in-person activities. Students attend classes to participate in discussions and team projects after engaging in online learning activities, such as watching videos of the instructor explaining fundamental concepts. However, with the "hyflex" paradigm, some students may attend classes remotely, while others attend in-person.
The challenge for educators is to develop innovative teaching methods that can be implemented in the classroom while adhering to physical distancing guidelines and catering to the needs of remote learners. Fortunately, technology in education can serve as a unifying force that connects everyone.
There are various strategies for motivating students regardless of their learning style. These strategies could include interactive and engaging activities that encourage collaboration and critical thinking. Teachers could use various tools such as gamification, multimedia resources, and online discussion forums to facilitate effective learning. Additionally, providing personalized feedback and support can help students stay motivated and engaged in their studies.
Overall, the key to success in a blended or hyflex classroom is to create an environment that fosters inclusivity, flexibility, and creativity. By utilizing the latest technology and implementing innovative teaching strategies, educators can help students achieve their full potential, regardless of their learning style or location.
An Idea Borrowed from Higher Education
More than a decade ago, Brian Beatty, an associate professor of instructional technologies at San Francisco State University, developed the "hybrid-flexible" or hyflex paradigm. The initial goal was to provide both in-person and online students with equal resources, despite limited time, money, and space. The hyflex approach has since been widely adopted by universities to boost enrollment.
Now, ten years later, hyflex has become a popular educational concept with a new twist. It is not just for colleges and universities, but also for K-12 education. For the foreseeable future, hyflex is likely to be the standard operating procedure for many schools, allowing them to reach students who may not be enrolled in sufficient numbers to justify delivering a specific course.
There is emphasis on the fact that the hyflex approach has become a critical tool for schools to provide education to each of their pupils. The flexibility of the hyflex paradigm allows for a variety of teaching strategies to be employed, catering to the diverse needs of students with different learning styles. By using technology and a combination of in-person and online learning, schools can provide a more personalized learning experience for their students.
Moreover, hyflex enables schools to deliver education in a more cost-effective and efficient manner. It allows schools to optimize their resources by utilizing physical classrooms while also reaching students who are unable to attend in-person due to various reasons.
In conclusion, the hyflex paradigm has become an essential tool for educational institutions to reach all of their students effectively. Its flexibility and efficiency make it an ideal approach for providing education in the 21st century.
Setting Up Hyflex in the Classroom
Ryan Pitterle, the product manager and education evangelist for Sharp NEC Display Solutions of America, provides insights on how the Hyflex approach would look like in a classroom setting. Pitterle suggests that in-person students will be dispersed first, with schools making efforts to eliminate any extra furniture to provide more space for students.
To promote collaboration, Pitterle suggests that groups of students will no longer gather around a central collaboration board. Instead, they will work on problems from their personal devices, which will be projected onto a wall or screen. This approach will cater to both in-person and remote students, with all pieces on display for the teacher to use for teaching.
To ensure that students feel connected, Pitterle emphasizes the importance of students being able to see their teacher. He notes that this is particularly crucial for remote learning as it gives students a sense of being present in the classroom.
According to Pitterle, a critical aspect of this setup is that teachers are already familiar with the equipment used in the classroom. They would be using a short-throw projector, an interactive collaboration board, and software such as Google Classroom to share multiple screens.
The highlight that Pitterle's insights on the Hyflex approach provide an excellent example of how technology can facilitate a hybrid learning experience that caters to both in-person and remote students. By utilizing a combination of personal devices, projectors, and interactive boards, teachers can offer collaborative learning opportunities that enhance student engagement and participation. Furthermore, by using familiar equipment, teachers can focus on teaching rather than learning how to use new technology.
The advantages of ultra short throw for hyflex
Using an ultra short throw projector in a classroom has numerous advantages over a conventional projector placed in the middle of the room. One of the most significant benefits is that it reduces the shadowing effect that often obstructs the view of what is being projected, especially for home viewers. This is because ultra short throw projectors are positioned close to the wall and above the screen or whiteboard, where they project their images.
Additionally, the brightness of the projector can often be a concern, especially for the teacher who might be blinded by the light. However, with an ultra short throw projector, this issue is minimized, creating a more comfortable and safer learning environment.
For instance, the UM383WL extreme short throw projector from NEC is not only ultra-bright, but it is also lampless and powered by LEDs, ensuring that there are no interruptions during a crucial part of the session. This model can display video and images up to 130 inches diagonal view, ensuring that every pupil in the room can see it, regardless of their seating position.
It is recommended to use a projector with a high lumen rating to ensure that the classroom vision is optimal for all students, regardless of how far back they are seated. By doing so, it enhances the overall learning experience and creates a more inclusive environment for all students.
Choosing the Right Interactive Display
When it comes to choosing the right display for a classroom, there are several important factors to consider beyond just technical specifications. One key consideration is the level of interactivity and ease of use that the display provides for the teacher. A good interactive, large-format display should allow the instructor to stand in front of the screen and navigate the presentation's pages without having to balance a computer or use a separate clicker. With up to 10 interaction points, the NEC Collaboration Board ("CB") family of displays is an excellent option for this purpose, allowing the user to operate the display like a giant mouse using a stylus.
Durability is also an essential factor to consider when choosing a display for a classroom. The display should be able to withstand the wear and tear of daily use, and the vendor should be able to provide adequate support and maintenance as needed. NEC's Mosaic Connect wireless presenting application is an example of software that can help link all the various monitors in the classroom, ensuring smooth operation.
Another critical consideration is management and ease of use. With NaViSet Administrator, a network-based asset management program, Sharp NEC makes it easy for schools to remotely control their equipment, including displays and projectors. This program also helps identify and resolve technical issues, ensuring that the equipment is always functioning at its best.
Finally, warranties can also be an essential feature to consider, as they can help schools maximize their return on investment. NEC displays typically come with a three-year warranty, but schools can extend this warranty by one more year by participating in the free Star Student education program. This initiative also expands the warranty period for NEC projectors to five years.
Overall, when choosing a display for a classroom, it's important to consider not just technical specifications, but also factors like interactivity, durability, ease of use, and warranty. With its focus on flexibility and ease of use, NEC is a great option for schools looking to upgrade their technology.
Yes, Collaboration is still important
In today's classrooms, group work has taken on a different form due to the pandemic. Rather than assigning students to work in physical huddles or pods, teachers are finding new ways to encourage collaboration through technology.
Despite the changes, the technology in the classroom remains the same. However, the goal is now different, according to Pitterle. With the help of a collaboration board, small groups can still gather around it while maintaining social distance, and students sitting at the back of the room can participate in the discussion with a better understanding of the lesson being taught.
By utilizing display and projector hardware and software that they are already familiar with, teachers can transform their classrooms into flexible learning environments that engage students and help them stay on track with their studies.
Here are five concepts that work well as a team in the hyflex model:
- Webinar Collaboration: Engage professionals from various fields to give guest lectures and answer student questions. This approach offers a break from traditional lectures while providing students with a fresh perspective. Reach out to local businesses, colleges, museums, science centers, or professional societies for recommendations.
- Team Teaching: Collaborate with another teacher to create a more engaging learning experience. Switching between two teachers can help students stay attentive, and each teacher can focus on students with different learning needs. Plan and rehearse your live sessions beforehand and record them for absent students.
- Publishing: Encourage students to work in virtual small groups and create an online blog about their experiences during this unique time. Platforms like WordPress, Blogger, and Weebly offer free blog websites. Make sure to teach students how to set privacy settings to protect their journals.
- Field Trips: Take your students on virtual tours of museums, historical sites, and other locations. Many institutions have created virtual walkarounds and videos, including the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, NASA's Glenn Research Center and Langley Research Center, and the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. Online webcams at zoos and Google Maps also provide opportunities for virtual exploration.
- Brady Bunch-style Videos: Assign a read-aloud or performance task where each student contributes to a final product, and a group of students edits the finished video. Use video editing tools like Adobe Spark, Binumi, Clips and iMovie from Apple, Screencast-O-Matic, TouchCast Studio, or WeVideo to create a collaborative final project.