In March I had the distinct pleasure to participate in the HyCOMM Co-creation event at Özyeğin University in Istanbul. Invited as an expert in HyFlex Course Design and as one who has been experimenting with using Generative AI for teaching and learning support in HyFlex classes, I was fully engaged in the discussions among the project partners Bergen University (Coordinator), Özyeğin University, Autonomous University of Barcelona, European Development Institute and Education and Future Technologies Association alongside another invited expert, Dr. Matthew Russell from the University of Texas-Austin.

Matt’s expertise in faculty development, HyFlex teaching and learning design, and the use of GenAI in the course design process complemented my interests and contributions incredibly well. As the team worked collaboratively to clarify the project objectives and begin working on the design of the comprehensive solution, it became clear that each partner group had much to add to the process and the eventual professional development that we are building.

Much of my own faculty development work in the area of HyFlex learning and course design takes place primarily, though not exclusively, in the higher education systems of the United States. Hearing and beginning to understand the varying perspectives of each of the HyCOMM project partners was interesting and refreshing. Though our education systems share many characteristics and yet differ in important ways, it seems the need for flexible learning options for our students is universal. No surprise there. That leads to a need for flexible teaching designs and skills in our faculty, supported by staff and administrators at every level. This is a huge undertaking!

(image credit: courtesy of OpenAI’s DALL-E)

Our combined expertise and experience in HyFlex teaching and learning, coupled with the work that many of us have done in finding ways to use GenAI creatively to help us develop creative ways to engage students in every HyFlex mode in new ways, and to also support faculty and designers building effective HyFlex courses efficiently, has established a foundation that we can build upon. I look forward to further contributions to the work of the HyCOMM project team as we build a solution that will – no doubt – have a lasting impact on many higher education institutions, faculty, and the students they serve.

Dr. Brian Beatty
Professor of Instructional Design and Technology, San Francisco State University, USA
HyFlex Learning Community co-founder