The Impact and Potential of Distance, HyFlex, and Hybrid Learning in Higher Education

The future of higher education includes online, hybrid, and HyFlex modalities. In a 2022 survey, chief online officers predicted that by 2025, programs and courses that mix on-campus and online learning experiences would become the norm for undergraduate students, graduate students, and adult learners. As a result, institutions will need to develop a learning-first strategy, regardless of the modality, that helps students achieve their learning objectives.

Colleges and universities must support faculty efforts to access, experiment with, and implement practices with new tools to be successful. So, how can institutions bring this new reality to life?

Hear from a panel that engages institutional and sector leaders on the impact of distance education on recruitment, enrollment, and retention, along with implications for student success and access and equity initiatives.

Key themes in this discussion include:

• Systemic adjustments can institutions make better accommodate online, hybrid, and HyFlex learning
• Institutional commitment is critical. The new centrality of online learning will require a corresponding increase in organizational support. Will this entail a restructuring of institutional priorities?
• How modality preferences of students and faculty are driving the HyFlex movement
• What colleges and universities will look like in five to ten years serving learners who are living longer lives with multiple careers