In Print: ‘Engaging Learners Everywhere: The Interactive Synchronous HyFlex Method’

Publication title

Engaging Learners Everywhere: The Interactive Synchronous HyFlex Method

Purdue authors

Nathan Mentzer
Abdul Moeed Asad
Adrie A. Koehler
Lakshmy Mohandas
Elnara Mammadova

Publisher

Purdue University Press

Publication date

Dec. 15, 2025

About the book (from the publisher)

Conceived as a workaround to COVID lockdowns, Interactive Synchronous HyFlex reimagines an active-learning, team-based classroom, making it possible for any student to participate fully, whether they are seated in the back row or joining from elsewhere in the world. Developed and refined by the authors through five years of classroom experimentation and National Science Foundation-funded research, this forward-facing approach — which refers to online synchronous hybrid delivery and combines the terms “hybrid” and “flexible”— brings together learners in a single classroom who have the daily option of meeting face to face or synchronously online.

Through simple ideas, thought-provoking questions and practical examples, “Engaging Learners Everywhere” reveals how existing technology, such as video conferencing and digital collaboration tools, can help bring students together in more robust and inclusive learning communities. This teaching model minimizes the disruptions and challenges instructors frequently encounter due to inclement weather, illnesses and travel conflicts. Additionally, features such as live captioning, screen sharing and classroom recordings benefit all students, not just those with disability accommodations. Ultimately, Interactive Synchronous HyFlex provides a more elastic pedagogical approach that allows students to remain engaged and connected to their instructors and to one another.

A supplemental podcast can be found here.

About the Purdue authors

Nathan Mentzer is a professor of technology and engineering education in Purdue Polytechnic Institute’s Department of Technology Leadership and Innovation and holds a joint appointment in the College of Education. He is recognized by the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association as a Distinguished Technology Educator and National Teacher Effectiveness Coach.

Abdul Moeed Asad researches the felt experience of designers. At Purdue, he worked on two National Science Foundation grants aimed at making design classrooms more inclusive, engaging and rigorous. He views the Interactive Synchronous HyFlex method as a blueprint for ensuring that engaging learners everywhere translates to making them feel present anywhere.

Adrie Koehler is an associate professor in the College of Education’s Learning Design and Technology program. She is using what she has learned from implementing, observing and researching the Interactive Synchronous HyFlex model to prepare preservice instructors for the realities they will encounter in the classroom.

Lakshmy Mohandas is a former software design lecturer in EPICS, where she focused on developing innovative teaching methodologies and learning experiences. She pioneered the Interactive Synchronous HyFlex model, resuming face-to-face instruction in the summer of 2020, which became the foundation for the QS Reimagine Education North America Gold Award.

Elnara Mammadova is a PhD candidate in technology at Purdue Polytechnic. Her research intersects the design of digitally accessible, flexible learning content with the development of advanced learning technologies to improve cognitive and non-cognitive participation of students with disabilities in technology-rich STEM courses in higher education.

About the In Print series

To celebrate our faculty’s excellence in scholarship, Purdue Today’s weekly book series highlights faculty expertise across diverse subjects and disciplines. Find out more about the Purdue University Books Initiative and how to suggest a book for the In Print series on the Office of the Provost website.