Students in Europe want HyFlex learning, but majority of universities are unable to roll it out

Weybridge, UK, 27^th June 2023: Today, research from Sony Professional Displays and Solutions Europe reveals the chasm between the growing demand for hybrid flexible learning (HyFlex) and the lack of preparedness to enable its adoption across Europe. 71% of students and teachers are positive to HyFlex, but 67% of audio visual (AV) professionals in higher education institutions say there is either some or a lot of technological improvement needed before it can be achieved.

With only a quarter of students in Europe currently using this learning model, technological immaturity is stunting the progress of implementing it. Institutions need to arm themselves with the right resources, training, and technologies to unlock the host of advantages that come with a more blended learning model.

The COVID pandemic changed the education landscape permanently. Higher education institutions were forced to find alternative ways to teach, leaning heavily on online methods to educate students in disparate locations. This ultimately made learning more accessible to a broader range of students, and according to promising recent stats from UCAS, more students from disadvantaged backgrounds entered university last September.

Against this backdrop, how prepared are universities to create a learning environment fit for purpose today, that caters to the changing demands and needs of a more diverse student body?

Sony, in tandem with Censuswide, surveyed 1,800 students, teachers, and AV professionals in higher education across Europe (UK, France, Germany, Italy, Denmark, and Sweden) about their attitudes towards different methods of learning^[1] and the future of education. Overall, there was a larger appetite for more asynchronous classes^[2] (62%) compared to in-person (56%) and synchronous online learning (52%). What’s more, two-thirds of students and teachers agreed that a hybrid flexible learning model, when done right, creates a learning environment better suited to varied learning styles. However, there are significant barriers in the way.

Over half (51%) of AV professionals say that a lack of understanding from teachers in how to use the required technology is a big barrier to implementing this model. And 35% of teachers agree. This highlights a lack in appropriate education tech, requiring more user-friendly solutions in this space to enable students to reap the benefits of HyFlex learning with easy, intuitive tech. The other main barriers cited are:

• limited resources
• institutions have other priorities
• lacking budget

The future of Hyflex seems promising, with 62% of students claiming that this model benefits their learning experience in the following ways:

• managing learning alongside other responsibilities
• a greater choice of courses to attend
• better access to materials for revision or missed information

Yet, students themselves also have barriers to contend with when it comes to accessing this new way of learning. Getting the right technological equipment may be one of the biggest pitfalls for widespread adoption of a HyFlex learning model, alongside difficulties using the technology, and a reduced opportunity for social interaction.

“It’s clear from the data that there is still work to be done in ensuring Europe’s higher education institutions can meet the growing demand for the HyFlex learning model. With the right technology and proper prioritisation, there are real and tangible benefits that could be reaped from offering this blended learning experience,” says Alexandra Parlour, European Marcoms & Education segment marketing manager, Sony Professional Displays and Solutions.

“While the research reveals an appetite for a combination of learning methods, it also highlights that online learning isn’t replacing on-site experiences, so universities need to be looking at what audio visual technology to implement that will support all learning styles and bolster the productivity, collaboration, and engagement of their students.”

To download the full Sony State of Learning Report 2023, click here.

To find out what solutions Sony provide for Education institutions to adopt a HyFlex learning model, visit pro.sony.

^[1] Synchronous online learning where students log into a real-time lecture for example, in-person learning at the university campus, and asynchronous online learning.

^[2] Asynchronous learning means that learning takes place at all different times for students enrolled in a course. Asynchronous learning is any type of learning that you undertake on your own schedule and does not require consistent real-time interactions with an instructor. I.e – learning material that is stored in a portal providing the ability to learn at a time and place that suits the student.

Methodology:

Censuswide was commissioned by Sony Professional Displays and solutions in May 2023 to survey 1464 students (aged 18+) and teachers (aged 25+) in higher education and 303 AV professionals in higher education in the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Denmark and Sweden.

For further information, please visit http://pro.sony.eu or contact Sony Professional Displays & Solutions press office on: press.europe@sony.com