What is this guide?
Review the information below to ensure that your first time teaching in a HyFlex (hybrid-flexible) classroom goes smoothly. A HyFlex classroom allows in-person and remote attendees at the same time. You can use any video conferencing platform in these rooms, but this article will reference Zoom, which is recommended for faculty teaching HyFlex.
Getting started with HyFlex
If you have not completed it already, we highly recommend you sign up for the hands-on HyFlex faculty training. HyFlex classrooms have upgraded technology in them and have unique pedagogical considerations.
- HYFLEX CLASSROOM OVERVIEW — Read this article and watch a brief video about the HyFlex teaching experience:
- ONE-ON-ONE TRAINING — Sign up for an individualized, hands-on training session using the link below.
This training will occur in CT 106 (Center for Teaching & Learning) on the Columbus Campus, unless an alternate location is requested and available.
- STUDENT EXPECTATIONS — It may be helpful to share this article link with your class or use it as the basis for discussion on class expectations (even if you only have remote students, this could still apply):
- IN-ROOM TECHNICAL SUPPORT — If you need urgent assistance in the HyFlex classroom, call the IT Classroom Support team at 614-287-4357 (HELP).
Guide to teaching a HyFlex class
Already trained? Click on a topic below for reminders about teaching your HyFlex class.
Note: If you have not do so already, we highly encourage you to complete the recommended hands-on training before your first class session.
You can also download a PDF checklist here: HyFlex Class checklist for Faculty
Before the semester begins
Review our online resources
Complete required training
- Training required will vary depending on your use of the room. These trainings, provided by DEIS and IT, will help you learn how to use the equipment and provide an initial discussion of HyFlex pedagogy, where appropriate.
- Ad-hoc usage - Employees who want to request a HyFlex room for ad-hoc usage are required to come to campus for a hands-on technology training to learn how to effectively use the equipment.
- Teaching a HyFlex class - Faculty who want to teach in a HyFlex room are required to com to campus for a hands-on technology training to learn how to effectively use the equipment. Faculty can also sign up for a guided hands-on practice session in your assigned classroom to run through typical class activities.
Practice makes perfect
- Our current HyFlex faculty have confirmed that the best way to learn is to get hands-on experience and ask a lot of questions. Practice, practice, practice!
- We recommend checking out your assigned classroom prior to the first day. Notice the location of the equipment: microphone, camera, etc.
- Run through an additional practice lesson if time allows. Invite a trusted colleague (or HyFlex trainer) to attend remotely and monitor the student view. Record your practice session to watch it later.
Plan ahead
- It is very important to adequately prepare for teaching in a HyFlex classroom.
- You may need to adapt your in-class activities or use new tools and techniques to ensure an equitable experience for all attendees, regardless of their location.
- Your Blackboard course may need updated to be more comprehensive if you previously taught your courses in person. Similar to a traditional online course, you will use Blackboard as the primary method of communicating and providing information and resources to all students.
Familiarize yourself with Zoom
- Make sure you are comfortable with running an effective meeting in Zoom and that you are familiar with the meeting controls.
- Investigate helpful tools, including how to: share your screen, annotate, spotlight videos, manage chat, mute participants, record your lecture, change default settings, and more.
- If you need Zoom training, sign up for individualized, one-on-one live virtual sessions by going to the DEIS Bookings page here. Or check out on-demand instructional videos and tutorial documents on the DEIS Beyond Classrooms website.
Before starting class
Upload content to Blackboard
- Share class materials like handouts, slides, or notes in a structured and consistent way on Blackboard so that remote students can access them if needed.
- Take into account any accessibility needs your students may have. Use the Ally tool in Blackboard to make sure materials are in an accessible format, caption all videos, and work with Testing & Accessibility Services where applicable to meet student needs.
Arrive early
- Arrive at least 5-10 minutes prior to your scheduled class start time to get set up.
- Log in to the computer with your CSCC username and password. The microphone and camera in the room will automatically power on at that time.
- Turn on necessary equipment; this could include the projector, document camera, or rear TV (if applicable).
Access materials needed for class - Open any documents, software, or programs you will use during class.
- Place content that will be shared with your students — in person and remote — on the interactive monitor labeled “Projector/Share Screen.” This content will also be shown (mirrored) on the projector screen simultaneously.
- Place other content on the monitor labeled “Primary.” This is where we recommend putting your Zoom meeting window. This content will also be shown (mirrored) on the rear TV, if available.
- Click and hold the top of a window then drag it to move it around as needed.
Begin Zoom
- Sign in to Zoom and start your meeting 5-10 minutes before class begins.
- Use the touch screen control panel to select an initial camera view and microphone area.
- After a few students join, make sure they can hear you and see your selected view.
- If needed, adjust the selected audio and video source in Zoom to use the microphone and camera that are integrated in the room.
- If you cannot hear your students, increase the room volume on the touch screen control panel.
Ask for help
- Think about asking a student to keep an eye on Zoom — looking for raised hands, non-verbal feedback, and questions or relevant contributions in chat.
- Also, ask your remote students to inform you if you forget to switch cameras or share your screen with them.
- Need urgent technical support? Contact Academic Technology Support at 614-287-4357 (HELP) to reach a technician.
Starting class
Share content
- Make sure any computer content you want to share is located on the interactive monitor (labeled "Projector/Share Screen").
- For in-person students to see it, turn on the projector.
- For remote students to see it, share the Projector/Share Screen monitor in Zoom using meeting controls.
- Important note: Do not use the camera's "Front of class" view to share projected content with remote students. Use the Share Screen feature in your online meeting to decrease glare and provide the best view possible.
Begin recording
- Let students know if you are recording your session.
- In Zoom, click Record in the bottom meeting controls. If prompted in the pop-up menu, click Record to cloud. When you stop your recording or end class, your recording will automatically upload to your My Media in Blackboard for easy access and sharing.
Welcome and reminders
- Acknowledge your in-person and remote students when they arrive.
- When it is relevant, review the location of resources or links they should access during class.
- Remind them of your expectations for participation and etiquette when appropriate to ensure that content delivery and class interactions go smoothly.
During class
Manage transitions effectively
- Throughout class, when you transition from one activity to the next, think about what students are seeing and hearing.
- Questions you may ask yourself:
Is my camera view correct?
Is my microphone area correct?
Am I sharing my screen?
Can all students (remote and in-person) see the correct content?
For example: Your content could be your shared computer screen, dry erase whiteboard, document camera image, or just your selected camera view.
Take frequent breaks
- Use them to provide opportunities for all students to ask questions or get clarification.
- This is especially important when you are wearing a mask. Some students may have a harder time hearing you or struggle to understand jokes or sarcasm without facial expressions visible. Other students may need clarification if they knowingly or unknowingly depend on lip reading.
- Check in with your volunteers or review Zoom to look for students in the waiting room, chat comments, reactions, or raised hands.
Interact with all students
- Alternate between calling on students who are in-person and students who are remote to provide an equivalent experience.
- Use a variety of activities and interactions to keep all students engaged in the content.
Start simple
- Keep your activities and transitions simple at first.
- Add new tools and techniques as you get more comfortable teaching in a HyFlex room.
- If you're ready to explore new options, but don't know where to start, reach out to us to discuss next steps.
Ending class
Before ending Zoom
- Check to see if any remote students have questions for you. If you intend to stay late to answer questions, stop your recording before that Q&A session.
Closing up the room
- End your virtual meeting.
- Turn off the document camera, projector, and rear TV (when applicable).
- Close all open programs, and turn off the computer.
Access your recording
- Your Zoom recording will automatically upload to your My Media area in Blackboard.
- It may take some time to become available. Don't forget to go back later if needed to share it in Blackboard, edit it, or download it.
Reminders
- Post an announcement with any reminders that you verbalized during class to make sure all students always have access to relevant class information.
- Share your recording or other resources with students in Blackboard where applicable.
Training and Support
A variety of resources are available to provide guidance, training, and support for our HyFlex classrooms:
| Urgent HyFlex classroom support |
Contact ATS, our classroom support team, at 614-287-4357 (HELP) to reach a technician |
| Non-urgent IT requests |
Reach out to the IT Support Center at 614-287-5050 or check out cscc.edu/ithelp for more information |
| Access online resources for HyFlex |
Review these articles: HyFlex classrooms help |
| Questions / schedule HyFlex training |
Reach out to Michelle Guendelsberger in IT and Jason LaMar in DEIS for more information |
| Help with Zoom, Blackboard, and other tools (for faculty) |
Sign up for individualized, one-on-one live virtual sessions by going to DEIS Bookings
Or check out on-demand instructional videos and tutorial documents on DEIS Beyond Classrooms |
| Training on Teams or other video conferencing tools |
Email it-training@cscc.edu for more information, or review our resources here: Video conferencing tools |