Student Perceptions about HyFlex/Hybrid Delivery of Courses during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

This empirical study examined undergraduate college students’ perceptions about HyFlex/hybrid courses during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 305 students (73 male, 234 female) completed an online survey that assessed technological strategies, instructional strategies, and perceptions about HyFlex classes. Students indicated that most of their classes during the Spring 2021 semester were a mix of in-person and online, and professors used Google Meet for classes, and the learning management system (LMS) for assignments, syllabi, and rubrics. Student perceptions about their HyFlex classes indicated that they felt challenged in their classes and that course materials were available to them “during” and “after” class. Students also felt a lack of “connection” with other students in the class and were unsure if HyFlex improved their learning. Some of the aspects students liked about the HyFlex model included the “freedom to choose whether to attend in-person or virtually” (66.9%) and “flexibility to view lectures at my own pace” (55.4%), while aspects of the HyFlex model they did not like included “technology issues” (67.5%) and “not enough interaction with my classmates” (60.7%). Two open-ended questions generated comment themes with students indicating the need for classroom flexibility, classroom engagement, instructor communication, leveraging technology, and minimizing distractions.