Qualcomm Technologies, Inc is implementing a new hybrid learning technology system for the first time in the country at Multimedia University.
While hybrid learning has been extensively used in Malaysian schools and institutions due to the pandemic, their implementation has been quite rudimentary, with students online having a tendency to feel being left out, due to the limitations of the equipment. With the new solution by the tech giant, students in the classroom, as well as online, would be able to better follow the lessons and offer their thoughts to one another.
Among the key equipment to this elevated level of involvement is a camera that could track the movement of lecturers as they move about the room and a high-definition central microphone that would enable online participants to hear everyone clearly. In comparison, current cameras are fixed, thus forcing lecturers to remain at a fixed point, usually at the front of the classroom. Current microphones being used are also mostly repurposed products, suitable for use only by individuals speaking in turns, not for high-fidelity pick-up of group conversations.
The system includes Qualcomm Technologies’ Education-as-a-Service (EaaS) technology, which is a part of their IoT-as-a-Service (IoTaaS) comprised of hardware and software to be used by MMU community. The university will deploy the hybrid learning spaces called HySpace and HyFlex, with 9 venues being used for the pilot project, with another 40 more venues planned to be deployed by 2023 in its Cyberjaya and Melaka campuses.
Mr Goh Thih Liang, Senior Director for Qualcomm Malaysia Sdn Bhd, “In our commitment to improving the hybrid learning system, we are excited to collaborate with MMU and hopefully, more universities will adopt the similar rollout in the near future.”
Representing MMU was Professor Dato’ Dr. Mazliham Mohd Su’ud, “The availability of Qualcomm Technologies’ system was just perfect for us at MMU, as it lined up perfectly with the digital platform aspect of our MMU PLUS U strategic plan.
He explained that central to this approach is having a flexible learning space, for both mass lectures and smaller groups. The HySpace and HyFlex implementation would enable the university to meet its pedagogical requirements, even as it keeps up with the need to offer greater amounts of online teaching. HySpace is Hybrid Classroom Space for effective physical and virtual learning, while HyFlex is Hybrid and Flexible Learning Space is meant for 21st-century highly collaborative teaching and learning.
The launch of HySpace and HyFlex is in line with MMU’s role as the High-Tech Education Sandbox. Last year, MMU and Malaysian Global Innovation and Creativity Centre (MaGIC), the lead secretariat of the National Technology & Innovation Sandbox (NTIS).
