A flipped classroom is an instructional strategy and a type of blended learning, which aims to increase student engagement and learning by having students complete readings at their home and work on live problem-solving during class time.[1]
It moves activities, including those that may have traditionally been considered homework, into the classroom. In a flipped classroom, students watch online lectures, collaborate in online discussions, or carry out research at home while engaging in concepts in the classroom with the guidance of a mentor.
In the traditional model of classroom instruction, the teacher is typically the central focus of a lesson and the primary disseminator of information during the class period. The teacher responds to questions while students defer directly to the teacher for guidance and feedback. In a classroom with a traditional style of instruction, individual lessons may be focused on an explanation of content using a lecture style. Student engagement in the traditional model may be limited to activities in which students work independently or in small groups on an application task designed by the teacher. Class discussions are typically centered on the teacher, who controls the flow of the conversation.[2] Typically, this pattern of teaching also involves giving students the task of reading from a textbook or practicing a concept by working on a problem set, for example, outside school.[3]
The flipped classroom intentionally shifts instruction to a learner-centered model in which time in the classroom is used to explore topics in greater depth and create meaningful learning opportunities while students are initially introduced to new topics outside of the classroom. In a flipped classroom, 'content delivery' may take a variety of forms. Often, video lessons prepared by the teacher or third parties are used to deliver content, although online collaborative discussions, digital research, and text readings may be used. It has been claimed that the ideal length for the video lesson is eight to twelve minutes.[4][5][6]
Flipped classrooms also redefine in-class activities. In-class lessons accompanying flipped classroom may include activity learning or more traditional homework problems, among other practices, to engage students in the content. Class activities vary but may include: using math manipulatives and emerging mathematical technologies, in-depth laboratory experiments, original document analysis, debate or speech presentation, current event discussions, peer reviewing, project-based learning, and skill development or concept practice[7][8] Because these types of active learning allow for highly differentiated instruction,[9] more time can be spent in class on higher-order thinking skills such as problem-finding, collaboration, design and problem solving as students tackle difficult problems, work in groups, research, and construct knowledge with the help of their teacher and peers.[10][11]
A teacher's interaction with students in a flipped classroom can be more personalized and less didactic, and students are actively involved in knowledge acquisition and construction as they participate in and evaluate their learning
Advantages of flipped classrooms/learning
- More one-to-one time with teacher or lecturer
The flipped classroom model provides more time for one-to-one between the lecturer or teacher and students. This means the students have more time to ask questions or ask for help if there are any issues.
- More group work or student collaboration/interaction time
Students have more group work or student collaboration time to cover subject activities, discussions and peer reviewing.
- Self-paced learning
Student learning can be self-paced to help them learn at their own pace and in their own time. This can be particularly effective for slower learners.
- Improved engagement
Students are more engaged with flipped classrooms or lectures as they are researching, completing activities or discussing the subject. With traditional teaching, the teacher would generally be providing all of the information to them.
- Deeper subject understanding
As students are researching and discussing themselves, the students gain a deeper understanding of the subject and related subjects.
- Work accessibility
Homework and work tends to be more accessible with the flipped classroom or lecture model. Teachers have to provide learning materials for the subject making the work provided available over the school, college or university’s intranet system.
- May improve test performance
Some recent studies have shown that flipped classrooms or lectures can improve test performance. The Flipped Learning network completed a survey in 2014 that showed 71% of teachers had seen test score improvements from using a flipped classroom model.
- Transparency for parents
Parents have more access to the learning materials and their performance so far. Parents can help if there are any issues with the student’s understanding.
- Absences aren’t as problematic
A student can catch up on missed lectures or classes using the flipped classroom model. The initial information required for the class will be online and the student can catch up themselves.
- Richer content
Flipped classrooms or lectures encourage richer content. With traditional teaching, the students would be provided with one way of looking at the subject, whereas flipped lectures or classrooms encourage the student to find many different ways of looking at a topic including different diagrams, wording and videos.
- More freedom for teacher
Teachers or lecturers have more freedom to spend with the students they feel need more support or assistance using the flipped classroom method.
Disadvantages of flipped classrooms/learning
- Relies on student preparation
The flipped method does rely on students preparing for their classes ahead of time. If the student is already a social loafer then this method will mean they don’t complete their own work or learn.
- Increased screen time
Due to the nature of the research, activities and discussion required, computers or tablets tend to be used more using the flipped teaching method. This can add to an already high screen time in students.
- May exacerbate digital divide issues
Lack of access to the internet or a home computer can result in a lack of access to the learning materials provided. This may exacerbate digital divide and learning issues already caused by students coming from lower income families.
- Time and effort for teacher
The time and effort required from a teacher’s perspective initially when creating the flipped class material is higher than for a traditional class. However, the material can be re-used the next year.
- May not cover everything required for a test
Students in flipped classes may not cover the entire subject required for a test. The depth of the subject can be dictated by the student themselves or the group the student is working with.
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