No abstract

HyFlex learning environments have been meeting the unique needs of students and institutions for nearly 20 years. However, it was the pandemic that gave HyFlex its widespread acceptance and application. Literature suggests that HyFlex may now be considered part of the new norm in education and therefore, further study is needed on how it affects both teaching and learning. Our flipped design thinking course leverages active learning requiring the instructor and students to interact extensively. We piloted a specific version of HyFlex we named “Interactive Synchronous HyFlex” where students can participate on a daily basis in person or synchronously online. In this specific instance of HyFlex we explore: (1) Does student academic performance differ in the HyFlex environment compared to the Face to Face only environment? And (2) Does student academic performance differ based on how they chose to participate in the HyFlex course? Data were collected for this quasi-experimental study design on overall semester grades and three significant design projects during the semester. We compared the course offered as a Face to Face only experience to the course offered as a HyFlex course enabling remote participation. Second, we parse students in the HyFlex course into two categories: those who did not participate remotely vs. those who participated remotely once or more times. Students in the HyFlex course had a significantly different grade distribution earning more A’s and more F’s than their Face to Face only counterparts. Given the positive results of the Interactive Synchronous HyFlex approach, we plan to continue implementing it in our introductory design course though we will increase our attention on the remote students as they may need additional scaffolding to be successful.

Purpose This study aims to identify critical online teaching effectiveness factors from instructors’ perspectives and experiences during COVID-19. Design/methodology/approach This study used a qualitative phenomenology approach. In addition, the research used a snowball sample to identify faculty in the engineering and engineering technology fields with experience in online teaching and learning. All interviews were conducted online by the researchers. The interview questions were based on findings in the current literature. Further, the questions were open-ended. Findings The analysis identified eight major themes that impact online teaching effectiveness: class recordings; course organization; collaboration; engagement; exam, assignment and quiz grades; games; valuable course content; and student timely feedback and response. Research limitations/implications The study was not designed to be generalizable to the entire population of professors who teach online classes but to gain insights from faculty who taught online courses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Practical implications Faculty can use the factors identified for online teaching effectiveness to enhance their course design and delivery while teaching online or blended courses. Originality/value This research provides insights into factors that impact online teaching effectiveness during the COVID-19 pandemic.

No abstract

Teaching design in technology and engineering education is one of the key Standards for Technological and Engineering Literacy (International Technology and Engineering Educators Association, 2021). Still, it can be challenging to provide a high-quality educational experience aligned with the standards required in introductory technology and engineering courses. Even after thorough preparation and delivering valuable content to students, students may feel the course was of low quality because it was required or not interesting. Our study investigated how improving the design thinking in technology courses based on the Expectancy Value Theory of motivation can impact students' perceived course quality, as evidenced by course and instructor ratings. This study included nearly 1000 students in 25 sections. Quantitative analysis was completed using a t-test to measure differences in end-of-course evaluation scores for each section, and qualitative analysis of student evaluation responses was done through thematic analysis method. Our study showed that after making changes to a course based on Expectancy Value Theory, students' ratings of both the course and instructor increased significantly. Expectancy Value Theory focuses the instructors' course improvement efforts on three aspects which were manageable and resulted in significant improvement.