WHAT IS A FLIPPED CLASSROOM? Flipped classroom is a “pedagogical approach in which direct instruction moves from the group learning space to the individual learning space, and the resulting group space is transformed into a dynamic, interactive learning environment where the educator guides students as they apply concepts and engage creatively in the subject matter” (The Flipped Learning Network, 2014). In other words, the Flipped Classroom is, in fact, a blended learning model in which traditional ideas about classroom activities and homework are reversed, or "flipped." In this model, instructors have students interact with new material for homework first. They then use class time to discuss the new information and put those ideas into practice.
In this blended learning approach, face-to-face interaction is mixed with independent study–usually via technology. In a common Flipped Classroom scenario, students might watch pre-recorded videos at home, then come to school to do the homework armed with questions and at least some background knowledge. The concept behind the flipped classroom is to rethink when students have access to the resources they need most. If the problem is that students need help doing the work rather than being introduced to the new thinking behind the work, then the solution the flipped classroom takes is to reverse that pattern.
History of the Flipped Classroom Although the flipped classroom is a highly talked about concept, it hasn’t been around for as long as you may think. So, let’s dive into the history of the flipped classroom…
It all began in Colorado with two teachers, Jonathan Bergman and Aaron Sams, who realized that there was no way to get materials to students who were out sick. In 2007 they began recording their lessons and lectures and turned them into videos. They then began to use it in their classrooms, calling it “pre-broadcasting.” However, Jonathan and Aaron give credit to Maureen Lage, Glenn Platt, and Michael Treglia’s for their paper entitled “Inverting the Classroom” for getting things started in 2000. At the time, there just weren’t enough resources or knowledge around the concept for it to really gain traction. Following 2007, the concept really took off. Various schools began flipping their classrooms, and the rest is history!
Flexible Environment Educators create flexible spaces where students choose when and where they learn. Additionally, educators who flip their classes are flexible in their expectations of student timelines for learning and in their assessments of student learning.
Learning Culture In a Flipped Learning model, in-class time is dedicated to exploring topics in greater depth and creating rich learning opportunities. As a result, students are actively involved in knowledge construction as they participate in and evaluate their learning in a manner that is personally meaningful.
Intentional Content Flipped Learning Educators determine what they need to teach and what materials students should handle on their own. Educators use Intentional Content to maximize classroom time in order to adopt methods of student-centered, active learning strategies, depending on grade level and subject matter.
Professional Educator The role of a Professional Educator is even more important, and often more demanding, in a Flipped Classroom than in a traditional one. During class time, they need to observe students, providing them with instant feedback and an assessment their work. While Professional Educators take on less visibly prominent roles in a flipped classroom, they remain the essential part that enables Flipped Learning to occur successfully.
While the Flipped Learning model may not work for every class, the model represents an innovative approach to teaching with the potential to create active, engaged and learning-centered classrooms. FLN’s four suggested pillars serve as ways to help educators successfully implement a Flipped Learning model.
Flipped Classroom vs. Flipped Learning: What's the Difference? A flipped classroom (sometimes referred to as an inverted classroom) doesn't necessarily provide true flipped learning. It's what happens in the classroom that matters. True flipped learning turns classroom time into a more individualized experience. Instead of an instructor addressing all students as a group, learners move at their own pace or in small groups to apply their knowledge in hands-on ways; this allows for a more differentiated experience overall. Many teachers may flip their classes by having students read text, watch supplemental videos or solve additional problems outside of class — as homework, during study hall or on the bus to a game. Flipped learning, however, is a "pedagogical approach in which direct instruction moves from the group learning space to the individual learning space, and the resulting group space is transformed into a dynamic, interactive learning environment where the educator guides students as they apply concepts and engage creatively in the subject matter." By moving from a flipped classroom to active engagement in flipped learning, teachers can implement new or multiple methodologies in their classrooms. It frees up class time, allowing for more individual and small-group instruction. To engage in flipped learning, teachers must incorporate the "Four Pillars of F-L-I-P" into their practice.
4 Flipped Classroom Benefits For Students The classical setting of a classroom is all about the teacher and the teacher's needs. All the tools are the teacher's to use, for the best delivery of instruction. The students are merely passive receivers of information.
But whoever entered a classroom knows that students are anything but passive. Their natural curiosity makes them actively seek new knowledge, and when they're passionate about a subject they try to learn all there is to be learned about it.
A student-centered approach to teaching shifts the focus from the teacher's needs to the student's. And this is what the flipped classroom model supports:
When students watch or listen to lectures at home, and then solve problems and apply the new knowledge in the classroom, they get less frustration with their homework.
When they don't understand a new concept, they can ask questions and get immediate targeted answers.
The time spent in the classroom becomes not enough for all the conversations and collaboration that inevitably spur from exploring subjects in a deeper manner.
Last but not least, students who are absent due to illness, too long a commute, or any other reason, can catch up with their peers faster and easier with the flipped classroom model than with the standard one.
4 Flipped Classroom Benefits For Teachers With a ton of information available at the fingertips of whoever cares to search for it, teachers are no longer the only source of knowledge for students. But don’t get me wrong; they aren't obsolete either. In fact, they are more important than ever. A flipped classroom is more demanding than the traditional one. Teachers need to identify the individual learning needs of students, making sure they all use the class time engaged with the learning process. And this can be harder than the traditional teaching model. At the same time, it comes with a set of rewards:
When students come prepared to class, there's little to no need for teachers to address content related questions. Instead, they can support students in better understanding the concepts through practical application.
Once a lecture is done, it can be reused as many times as the teacher wants, until the content becomes outdated. But H2O will always be the symbol of water, the same as Alaska will always be the biggest US state in terms of area.
The flipped classroom gives more freedom to teachers to decide upon how much time to spend with each student. Struggling students, great performers, introverted kids, and extroverted ones can get the attention each of them needs.
Last but not least, it offers more transparency for parents, who will know exactly what their kids are preparing for at school. This can also improve the communication between parents and teachers.