Hybrid 2.0: Advancing Learning Freedom at Aristotle University through the Institutional Digital Transformation of Learning Spaces for Innovation, Engagement and Inclusion

11 pages•Published: June 18, 2026

Georgios Roussos, Christos Trantas, Antonios Dirchalidis and Eleni Tsakiri

Abstract

The rapid expansion of hybrid teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic prioritized continuity over coherence, often resulting in fragmented, instructor-dependent solutions. This paper presents the institutional response of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, the largest university in Greece, serving approximately 100,000 students, through the design and implementation of Hybrid 2.0 Digital Learning Spaces (DLS). Building on extensive experience in large-scale audiovisual initiatives, the University moved from isolated deployments toward a standardized, scalable, and institutionally governed digital learning infrastructure. In 2025, the university implemented 20 Hybrid 2.0 DLS across diverse academic environments, using a layered architecture that integrates AI-enabled ceiling microphone arrays, distributed loudspeaker systems, PTZ video systems, IP-based control, and lecture capture functionality. Early three-month monitoring showed promising implementation outcomes, including 70% active instructional use, 0.20 incidents per space/month, and 80% positive faculty perception. The paper offers a transferable pathway for embedding hybrid capability into digital learning environments while supporting innovation, engagement, inclusion, and institutional resilience in higher education.

Keyphrases: audiovisual infrastructure, blended synchronous education, digital learning environment (dle), digital learning spaces (dls), higher education governance, hybrid 1.0, hybrid 1.5, hybrid 2.0, hybrid classroom architecture, hybrid learning, institutional digital transformation, it and infrastructure, learning space design

In: Laurence Desnos, Carmen Diaz, Janina Mincer-Daszkiewicz, Lazaros Merakos, Raimund Vogl, Stuart McLellan and Ulrike Lucke (editors). Proceedings of EUNIS 2026 Annual Congress, vol 109, pages 209-219.

Links:	https://easychair.org/publications/paper/HTSp
	https://doi.org/10.29007/gz6h

BibTeX entry

@inproceedings{EUNIS2026:Hybrid_2.0_Advancing_Learning,
  author    = {Georgios Roussos and Christos Trantas and Antonios Dirchalidis and Eleni Tsakiri},
  title     = {Hybrid 2.0: Advancing Learning Freedom at Aristotle University through the Institutional Digital Transformation of Learning Spaces for Innovation, Engagement and Inclusion},
  booktitle = {Proceedings of EUNIS 2026 Annual Congress},
  editor    = {Laurence Desnos and Carmen Diaz and Janina Mincer-Daszkiewicz and Lazaros Merakos and Raimund Vogl and Stuart McLellan and Ulrike Lucke},
  series    = {EPiC Series in Computing},
  volume    = {109},
  publisher = {EasyChair},
  bibsource = {EasyChair, https://easychair.org},
  issn      = {2398-7340},
  url       = {/publications/paper/HTSp},
  doi       = {10.29007/gz6h},
  pages     = {209-219},
  year      = {2026}}

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