Flex (FL) is the DePaul term for the “HyFlex” modality pioneered by Brian Beatty (Hybrid-Flexible Course Design: https://edtechbooks.org/hyflex). Dr. Beatty visited DePaul January 23, 2020, and gave several presentations to faculty, staff, and departments.

Within DePaul, the “Flex” term is itself flexible. Colleges have different approaches to how Flex is defined and operates. Within the Driehaus College of Business, Flex is defined as:

“Flex is designed for students who enjoy learning in the classroom, but want the flexibility to connect online when work, family responsibilities or travel prevents them from coming to campus. Students decide whether to attend each class on campus or access the class live remotely via Zoom. The faculty member teaches from a technologically enhanced on-campus classroom with tools to engage both in-person and remote learners. Student attendance is expected (either in the physical classroom or virtually and synchronously via Zoom with webcam on). This is not a modality where students watch the class recordings exclusively. Faculty may choose to take attendance and reward virtual or in-person attendance.”

Inherent within this definition are key requirements:

• Faculty are expected to teach the class from a Trimodal classroom. Teaching from home is not an option for normal circumstances.
• Student attendance is expected. This is not a modality where students watch the class recordings exclusively. Faculty may choose to take attendance and penalize students who do not attend virtually or in person.
• Online Asynchronous (OA) courses are recommended to students who want to study on demand.
• Classes are recorded. The posting of recordings (either via Zoom or D2L) is at the discretion of the instructor.
• The capacity of the physical classroom must be equal to or more than the number of enrolled students in the section.
• All exams and assessments must be provided equally to remote and on campus students. Online midterms and finals are recommended.
• Remote students are expected to have their webcams switched on and microphones muted (unless talking). Remote students may periodically switch off their webcams to take a break.
• Remote students are expected to upload a Zoom profile photograph or acceptable avatar image.
• Remote students are expected to contribute in class. Remote students must be in an environment where they are not distracted and can talk. All students may be asked to share their computer screen and present to the class.
• On-campus students connecting to Zoom in the classroom must mute their microphones and speakers to prevent audio feedback.
• Students connecting to Zoom must use their DePaul Zoom accounts. Students using non-DePaul Zoom accounts may be blocked from connecting to class.
• The student’s name in Zoom must match the preferred name on their university record.

This modality is equivalent to Online Synchronous (OS) for a student who never attends in the physical classroom, but attends 100% via Zoom.

In the video above, you have the opportunity to experience how a Flex classroom operates from a remote student perspective. The video is a recording of a Tech Tuesday session in our DPC 5901 Trimodal classroom.

For each class session, students decide whether to attend class on campus or access classes live remotely via Zoom. The faculty member teaches from a technologically enhanced on- campus classroom with tools to engage both in-person and remote learners.

Students who enjoy learning in the classroom, but want the flexibility to connect online when work, family responsibilities or travel prevents them from coming to campus.

The Trimodal classrooms are a recent development at DePaul.

The trimodal layout has at least four screens in the classroom - two that students see at the front of the classroom, and two that the professor sees at the back of the classroom. The “presenter’s content” screen is a touch screen, as is the PC monitor on the podium. Two cameras (one at the front, one at the back) film the classroom environment. The professor and students can see and interact with the remote students via Zoom on the “remote students” screen. Microphones in the ceiling capture room audio.

The Zoom+ classroom layout is simpler than a Trimodal classroom, but can be upgraded to Trimodal in the future. There are fewer screens in the room, and only one camera at the back of the room. Two monitors are available for the professor to see on the podium in the room. A ceiling-mounted microphone captures audio in the classroom.

The two monitors on the podium allow the professor to present content and to administer the Zoom session. Monitor 1 is a touchscreen - faculty can present and annotate content with a stylus) or their finger. Monitor 2 is a regular screen, and displays the Zoom session. The professor can see the remote students here, along with chat comments and list of participants.

The touchscreen is mounted on an articulated arm. This allows the professor to place the touchscreen at a convenient angle for writing on with the stylus.

For remote students to see written content, the professor cannot use the regular whiteboard or blackboard in the classroom.

The touchscreen on the podium is where the professor should write, draw, and annotate. This content will be seen by both the students in the classroom and the remote students.

Flex students are allowed to attend classes on campus or remotely via Zoom. For this reason, you cannot mandate that exams take place on campus for all students.

You have several approaches that you may take for exams:

• No midterm or final exam. Projects, take home papers, or assignments can be used instead.
• Midterm and final exams take place via D2L for all students. Examity can be used to secure online exams. Please note: Examity requires that there be a 72-hour window for students to register for their exams.
• Midterm and final exams take place on campus for students who decide to take their exams on campus, students who choose to be remote take their exams via D2L. Examity can be used to secure online exams. Please note: Examity requires that there be a 72-hour window for students to register for their exams.

Faculty are highly advised to consult with an instructional designer on the best strategy for exams.

Examity is a live proctoring service for online exams. The exams are monitored and recorded. The online proctors watch DePaul students during exams, and intervene if required. A detailed report and video is sent to faculty If a student breaks DePaul’s Academic Integrity Policies.
 
There is no cost to students or the College of Business if you use Examity to secure your online exams (Academic Affairs pays for the service).

Faculty can request Examity be set up for their online exams here.

If you need technical help during the quarter, please email CTL@depaul.edu.

If your students have technical issues, please direct them to the Helpdesk at helpdesk.depaul.edu

Training, documentation and resources can all be found online at go.depaul.edu/remote-teaching