As student expectations continue to evolve, flexibility is no longer a luxury, but a necessity. One of the most promising models meeting this demand is HyFlex education, a format that allows learners to choose how they engage: in person, synchronously online, or asynchronously. And institutions like NC State University are leading the charge with clear, actionable best practices to make HyFlex work. Their detailed guide on HyFlex Teaching Best Practices offers a powerful framework for how universities can thoughtfully and effectively implement HyFlex.
But here's the challenge: even the best pedagogical model can fall short without the right technology infrastructure. That’s where SpatialChat comes in.
What NC State Gets Right About HyFlex
NC State’s Digital Education and Learning Technology Applications (DELTA) team highlights how HyFlex isn't just about offering multiple delivery format. It's about ensuring equitable and high-quality learning experiences across all modes.
Some key strategies they recommend include:
- Designing course materials as if students were fully online, then adapting them for in-person and live remote delivery.
- Leveraging active learning tools like polls, breakout discussions, and collaborative documents.
- Using clear communication, strong instructor presence, and ongoing check-ins to support self-directed learners.
These aren’t just theoretical suggestions. They reflect real-world solutions to common HyFlex challenges like student engagement, instructional continuity, and equitable participation. But these solutions need a platform that’s as flexible as the model itself.
SpatialChat: The Digital Campus Built for HyFlex
If your institution is exploring HyFlex or trying to scale it, SpatialChat offers the kind of immersive, flexible, and integrated environment that NC State’s model points toward. Imagine a space that replicates the organic energy of campus while offering every tool needed for digital-first delivery. That’s SpatialChat.
Here’s how it aligns perfectly with HyFlex pedagogy:
Customizable Virtual Classrooms
Design learning environments that feel familiar but operate online. Rearrange furniture, pin course materials, and make your digital space your own.
Synchronous, Asynchronous, and On-Demand Learning
With features like recording and on-demand playback, SpatialChat supports all three HyFlex pathways without forcing educators to reinvent their approach.
Integrated Tools for Active Learning
From Miro Whiteboards to Google Docs, Kahoot, and Canvas LMS integration, SpatialChat allows instructors to seamlessly incorporate the tools students already use, directly within the learning space.
Presence + Flexibility
SpatialChat’s spatial audio and visual movement recreate real-world interactions, while breakout rooms, Q&A, and polling features keep all learners, whether online or on-site, engaged and participating.
Built for the Whole Campus
Beyond classrooms, SpatialChat powers:
- Virtual Office Hours & Tutoring Centers
- Student Orientation Programs
- Research Presentations & Thesis Defenses
- Virtual Libraries, Registrar’s Offices, and Career Fairs
- Guest Lectures, Academic Conferences, and Faculty Training
It’s not just a video tool. It’s your HyFlex campus in the cloud.
From Theory to Scalable Action
NC State’s thoughtful approach shows that HyFlex works best when grounded in purposeful design, learner autonomy, and robust tech support. And while not every institution has the in-house capacity to build their own HyFlex playbook from scratch, they can adopt a platform that already aligns with best practices.
SpatialChat helps bridge the gap between ambitious teaching models and everyday delivery. With its seamless integrations, immersive environments, and broad use case support, it’s uniquely positioned to help colleges and universities deliver flexible, student-first education at scale.
If you are ready to future-proof your campus, take a page from NC State’s playbook. And take it a step further with SpatialChat.
Explore how we can help your institution deliver on the HyFlex promise. Book a demo with our experts to learn more.