Brian Beatty

Dr. Brian Beatty is professor of Instructional Design and Technology in the Department of Equity, Leadership Studies and Instructional Technologies at San Francisco State University. Brian’s primary areas of interest and research include social interaction in online learning, developing instructional design theory for Hybrid-Flexible learning environments, and recently the use of GenAI to support student engagement and the design of learning experiences. At SF State, Dr. Beatty pioneered the development and evaluation of the HyFlex course design model for blended learning environments, implementing a “student-directed-hybrid” approach to better support student learning.

 At San Francisco State University, in addition to his faculty role, Brian has been the Instructional Technologies Department Chair (2009-2012) and the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs Operations (2012-2020), overseeing the Academic Technology unit and coordinating the use of technology in the academic programs across the university. He received his Ph.D. in Instructional Systems Technology from Indiana University Bloomington in 2002. Dr. Beatty also holds several CA single-subject teaching credentials, an M.A. in Instructional Technologies from SF State and a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Marquette University. Dr. Beatty has more than 35 years’ experience as a classroom teacher, trainer, and instructional designer at schools, businesses, and the US Navy.