Blended learning, Hybrid learning, and HyFlex Learning for Post-Pandemic Learning

Abstract

There have been pandemics in the past. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has been unique in that it brought the whole world to a halt and disrupted education (among all other services) on a global scale. Various online education formats gained much traction during this period, and multiple experiments came to the limelight as COVID-19 silver lining. Bozkurt and Sharma (2020) reported emergency remote teaching during this global crisis as a temporary solution, which is different from online distance education. Institutions worldwide adopted eLearning strategies with various formats, such as fully online learning, hybrid, HyFlex, asynchronous, and webconferencing-based synchronous classes. An emerging partnership of institutions with EdTech companies and increased use of technology was one of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Kanwal (2022a) reported a collaboration of around 48 percent of higher education institutions in India with Microsoft Teams in 2020. The transition to digital education has speeded up, with many users using mobile devices for educational purposes. Various drivers for the change to online education in India have been affordability, the school's reputation, credit transfer, quickest path to a degree, and blended mode (Kanwal, 2022b).