Flipped Classroom is one of the most innovative methods of teaching that has evolved in the recent times. Gradually revolutionizing its age-old counterpart, Flipped Classroom is nothing but a blended strategy of teaching and learning. It aims at enhancing the overall student engagement, thereby yielding more rewarding outcomes.

May we rewind a bit? Gone are the days when classrooms were all about studying out in the open. Both the students and the teacher would find a place under the ample shade of a huge banyan tree. A blackboard, few white or colorful chalks, and a rag were just enough for the process of knowledge transfer to take place.

Student would sit down on the floor, with their legs crossed and trying to interpret to what’s being taught. All this, while taking down notes in their notebooks and erasing out any spelling mistakes or calculation errors. Sometimes, students would miss out on what’s written on the blackboard as the teacher would rub it out in no time.

So you see, there used to be several complications in our traditional way of education.

Coming back to 2018, students are comfortably seated inside air-conditioned classrooms, complete with state-of-the-art technology. So much so that Flipped Classrooms are taking over and how!

What is Flipped Classroom?

Flipped Classroom is a systematic approach in teaching wherein the traditional classroom-based learning is inverted. This approach helps students in getting introduced to the study material beforehand.

As the students would have already learnt about the subject, the actual classroom time can be used to explore the subject. Teachers can utilize classroom time to deepen subject understanding by way of group discussion and problem-solving activities.

Where did Flipped Classroom come from?

It was only in the early 2000s that the term “Flipped Classroom” became popularized through a generic notion. Flipped Classroom would be used by Chemistry teachers Jon Bergman and Aaron Sams. But the concept of flipped learning can be dated back even a couple of decades ago.

In the early 90s, one Harvard Professor Eric Mazur had coined a “peer instruction” model. It provided study material to students for preparing and learning before class. And then he used the class time to motivate students for deeper and cognitive thinking by conducting group discussions.

How does Flipped Classroom function?

As mentioned earlier, Flipped Classroom is nothing but an inverted version of traditional learning. Students are made to acquire as much knowledge within a specified classroom context, followed by analyzing and evaluating the subject after the class.

Students are given specific instructions on the subject before the classroom time. As a result, the actual class time can be used for practicing and application of concepts and ideas through interaction with peers and faculty.

Once the class is over, students look back on their classroom time and work upon the feedback they have garnered for an enhanced learning experience.

What are the advantages of Flipped Classroom?

Flipped Classroom brings in sweeter fruits of advantages for both teachers and students.

One of the main advantages of Flipped Classroom is that it makes students move away from traditional learning. It gets them closer to active dynamic learning wherein both teachers and students can collaborate actively.

Flipped Classroom also benefits the teachers as they can shift their role from mainstream teaching to taking up the role of a coach or a mentor. The use of state-of-the-art technology further enhances flipped learning process by promoting possession of skills that are essential as of today.

Benefits for Students

  • Lesser frustration with homework as students watch/ listen to lectures at home and then solve problems
  • When students have problems understanding a new concept, they can get it cleared immediately through targeted answers
  • Enough classroom time to explore new concepts/ subjects through collaboration and peer discussion
  • Becomes faster and easier for students to catchup with peer group on lectures missed out on

Benefits for Teachers

  • As students are already well-versed with the subject, the teacher has little or no need to explain them each and everything
  • When a lecture is done, it can be reused several times as and when it’s needed
  • More freedom for teachers to decide how much time to be spent on students for each topic
  • Better transparency for parents as well as enhanced two-way communication between parents and teachers

The flipped classroom is being adopted by teachers worldwide. It continues to inspire both students and teachers while offering great level of versatility in education. It is the most engaging way to share learning content as flipped classroom empowers students to have a better approach towards learning.