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Hyflex learning and student engagement in higher education: a systematic literature review

This open-access systematic literature review, published in Frontiers in Education, synthesizes current research on HyFlex (Hybrid-Flexible) course models in higher education — a format in which students choose, session by session, whether to attend in person, join synchronously online, or engage asynchronously. The review draws on studies from across institutional contexts to examine how this radical flexibility affects student engagement, attendance, and learning outcomes. Rather than advocating for one modality over another, the authors investigate what conditions make flexible course designs succeed or fail, and the findings challenge some widely held assumptions about what students actually do when given a choice.

Teacher Confirmation

Teacher Confirmation Theory (Ellis, 2000) explains how instructor behaviors communicate to students that they are valued, respected, and capable of learning. These confirming behaviors reduce psychological distance, increase motivation, and improve affective and cognitive learning outcomes. The theory identifies four core dimensions: willingness to engage, recognition, acknowledgment, and endorsement.

Conversation Cafe

Creating spaces where all students feel empowered to discuss tough topics openly and respectfully can be difficult. The Conversation Café provides a practical way to foster equitable dialogue by guiding students through structured rounds of sharing and listening in small groups. This free resource from OneHE shows you how to set this up in your own classroom.

Feedback in your voice

Rubrics are handy tools for providing clear expectations and consistent feedback to learners, but students also welcome authentic feedback that sounds like it came from you. You can add your own “voice” through the commenting tool on the rubric in Brightspace or by adding multimedia feedback.