Blog Twenty-Four - Flipped Classrooms
With the rise of focus on active learning and more student-centered approaches in education, the flipped classroom model has come under the spotlight as an effective strategy to promote these values. The purpose of the flipped classroom model is to change the dynamic of direct instruction and active learning by having students engage with content outside of class through videos or readings and then use class time for collaborative activities, discussions, and problem-solving with the guidance of the teacher.
The flipped classroom model has students look over lecture material outside of class and then make sense of it inside the classroom by working with their peers. The “flipped” name stems from the fact that the traditional lecture-based homework model is reversed, with students learning the content at home and then applying that knowledge through hands-on activities in the classroom. In other words, the learning is done outside of the classroom rather than inside it.
Generally, the credit for the flipped classroom model is given to two high school chemistry teachers, Jonathan Bergmann and Aaron Sams, who started it in 2007 by recording their lectures and posting them again for students' future reference. Now, it encompasses a wide range of pre-class activities, from videos to online, interactive lessons.
The aim of the flipped classroom model is to promote more mentally engaging activities within the classroom, considering lesson exposure as passive and discussion or problem-solving activities about the lesson as active learning. With this model, students have more time to actively interact with the material through rigorous learning and critical thinking inside the classroom, which is where the model argues that all the intellectually challenging activities should take place. The flipped classroom model also receives praise for its implementation of increased student control over their own learning. By having students be exposed to the material for the first time at home, they can learn at their own pace and review material as many times as they need to feel prepared before walking into the classroom. Also, it allows for less pressure on the students to somehow remember and document this information, whether it be through notes or memorization, instead allowing them to focus on deeper engagement as the lesson is saved.
As for the in-class part of the flipped classroom, the teacher can provide more personalized guidance and feedback to students as they work through problems and engage in collaborative activities, enabling students to use school time for more enhanced understanding of their material rather than surface-level absorption of information.
However, as with any system, the flipped classroom model also has its disadvantages. While the model enables students to retain more control over their learning environment, it requires them to be self-motivated, as they cannot participate in the lesson without completing the tasks assigned at home. Also, students who cannot complete the assignments due to some external factors are put at a disadvantage as well. The reliance on technology can make many flipped classroom implementations inaccessible for students without reliable internet access or devices. Additionally, many argue that the structured approach of the traditional lecture model may be better for students, as it provides a clear roadmap and organization for learning the material, whereas the flipped classroom approach may be less structured and require more self-discipline from students. It also requires a specific shift in mindset, especially regarding the teacher’s role in education as content is “taught” at home in the flipped classroom model.
The flipped classroom model is just one of many approaches to tackling the problem of boosting student engagement and weaving collaborative learning into the curriculum. Much of this requires a significant mindset change, as the traditional lecture-based format has been deeply ingrained in our education system for decades. While the flipped classroom model offers several potential benefits, such as increased student control and more time for active learning during class, it also presents challenges related to student motivation, access to technology, and the need for a significant shift in educational mindset.
