HyFlex Classroom: Classification According to Audio Equipment

This page categorizes and explains how to conduct HyFlex classes/courses according to the audio equipment to be used.
The following information comes from the explanatory materials prepared by Dr. Motonori Nakamura, Professor at the Institute for Information Management and Communication, Kyoto University.

Classification According to Audio Equipment

Manners of delivering HyFlex classes/courses can be classified according to the audio equipment used, as shown below. Please read the table by referencing the characteristics of actual classes (i.e., small or large, involving frequent or infrequent in-class interactions, etc.).

① Classroom microphone not used ② Classroom microphone used
(A) Instructor using a headset Small classes involving infrequent interactions Large classes involving infrequent interactions
(B) Instructor and learners using a speakerphone Small classes involving frequent interactions Large classes involving frequent interactions
(C) Instructor and learners using headsets Interactions are necessary

（A）Instructor using a headset

① Classroom microphone not used

  • This style is suitable for small classes where the instructor is primarily speaking.
  • The instructor wears a headset to make her or himself heard by students attending class online.
  • When a student physically in the classroom speaks, the instructor repeats the student's statement to allow online students to hear.
  • This style requires the minimum amount of equipment and preparation.
      • 　→ To know about equipment preparation, view this (click to view the image in a popup window).

      ② Classroom microphone used

      • This style is suitable for large classes where the instructor is primarily speaking.
      • The instructor wears a headset and makes her or himself heard by students attending the class online.
      • In the classroom, the instructor uses the classroom microphone to ensure her/his voice is amplified and heard by the students in the large-size classroom.
      • When a student physically in the classroom speaks, the instructor repeats the student's statement to allow online students to hear.
          • 　→ To know about equipment preparation, view this (click to view the image in a popup window).

（B）Instructor and learners using a speakerphone

① Classroom microphone not used

  • This style is suitable for small classes where learners are encouraged to speak to each other.
  • The instructor and students physically in the classroom use the speakerphone to make themselves heard by the online students.
  • Classroom students and online students can interact with each other via the speakerphone.
  • The classroom instructor must sit within an area in which the speakerphone can capture his/her voice.
      • 　→ To know about equipment preparation, view this (click to view the image in a popup window).

      ② Classroom microphone used

      • This style is suitable for large classes where the learners are encouraged to speak to each other.
      • The instructor uses the classroom microphone to ensure that the students physically in the classroom can hear him/her. At the same time, the online students can hear him/her via the speakerphone.
      • The students physically in the classroom use the speakerphone to make themselves heard by the online students.
      • Classroom students and online students can interact with each other via the speakerphone.
      • The voices of students seated away from the speakerphone are not clearly heard by online students.
          • 　→ To know about equipment preparation, view this (click to view the image in a popup window).

（C）Instructor and learners using headsets

  • This style is suitable when learners are always required to speak to each other.
  • The instructor and students physically in the classroom all log into Zoom using their respective PCs. They use a headset to interact with online students.
  • A protocol is required to prevent audio feedback. When the instructor speaks, his/her microphone should be turned on, while the classroom students' microphones should be turned off. When a classroom student speaks, her/his microphone should be turned on, while the instructor's and other classroom students' microphones should be turned off.
  • Due care should be given to sound leakage.
      • 　→ To know about equipment preparation, view this (click to view the image in a popup window).