Congrats to Dr. Aviann Morris for successfully defending your dissertation titled “Factors that Impact the Implementation of HyFlex Learning Environments of Higher Education Institutions within a Caribbean Context”!
Committee Members: Dr. Rob Branch (Chair), Dr. Jill Stefaniak, Dr. Lauren Bagdy, and Dr. Enilda Romero-Hall
Abstract:
Caribbean higher education institutions (HEIs) face unique challenges due to diverse student populations, geographic dispersion, and distinctive socio-economic contexts. Flexible models, such as HyFlex (hybrid-flexible) offer promising opportunities to provide equitable and adaptable educational environments. This study investigated factors influencing successful HyFlex implementation through a mixed-methods approach, including surveys and interviews analyzed via thematic content analysis guided by Activity Systems Theory (AST). Faculty reported challenges with managing dual instructional modalities, effective pedagogy, and technology integration. Institutional leaders noted fragmented administrative structures, regulatory constraints, and the need for decentralized budget systems. The findings emphasize that successful HyFlex adoption requires balancing investments in technological infrastructure and human resource development, alongside interdisciplinary collaboration, comprehensive professional training, and targeted institutional support. These insights inform policymakers and academic leaders aiming to create responsive and inclusive higher education environments.
Keywords: HyFlex learning environments, Activity Systems Theory, Caribbean higher education, Faculty preparedness, Flexible learning models
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