A flipped classroom is a type of blended learning where learners are introduced to content at home and practice working through it at school. This is the reverse of the more common practice of introducing new content at school, then assigning homework and projects to be completed by the students independently at home.

How flipped classrooms work

In this model, instructors have learners interact with new material for homework first. They then use class time to discuss the new information and put those ideas into practice. The student learns his course at home according to the method they have chosen: reading textbooks or handouts, watching instructive videos or podcasts, using apps, or reading the documents offered by the teacher. During the classroom sessions, the learners will have to apply the knowledge they have acquired by solving different exercises. In this case, the attention is no longer focused on the educator, but rather on the learners who will have the opportunity to interact or help each other. The educator will then have more time to follow up with the struggling learners. This free time can also allow the instructor to develop group activities and projects that will promote learning and communication. It will then be easier for each learner to get a more concrete idea of ​​the knowledge being worked on.

Benefits of a flipped classroom

The use of the flipped classroom in education offers various benefits for both educators and learners.

The main advantages of flipping are:

• Making the classroom an active learning environment.
• Allowing students to learn at their own pace.
• Giving the instructor more time to teach each student individually, rather than the class as a whole.

The flipped classroom also aims at reducing student absenteeism. The goal is for learners to be more motivated to come to class since it is a session aimed at improving their skills and knowledge.

By moving passive course material to a home setting, learners can review that material when and where it works best for them. They can also access all the information in advance, so that when they enter the classroom, they feel prepared and ready to participate in interactive learning activities.

During the course, discussions and instructor-guided activities allow learners to practice course content. Class time can be used for group work, comprehension tests, in-depth application of the material, or free time for individual work – all with the added benefit of having an educator and fellow learners nearby for problem-solving and collaboration.

The future of flipped classrooms

Since a flipped classroom typically involves a mix of online and face-to-face learning, the pandemic has sparked increased interest in this approach. A combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning can fit into the flipped classroom model, whether it takes place entirely in a virtual classroom, in a hybrid model, or in a purely face-to-face learning environment.