The concept of “flipping the classroom” comes from enabling students to take control of their education and learning through using their initiative to seek after knowledge towards strengthening their understanding of course materials.
In an article titled “The Flipped Class: Myths vs. Reality” the authors postulate flipped classroom as not only about online videos, replacing teachers with videos, a total online course replacing the traditional classroom, or students working without structure, but rather one where increased interaction and contact time between students and faculty can be realized.
As seen in the article:
The Flipped Classroom IS:
- A means to INCREASE interaction and personalized contact time between students and teachers.
- An environment where students take responsibility for their own learning.
- A classroom where the teacher is not the “sage on the stage”, but the “guide on the side”.
- A blending of direct instruction with constructivist learning.
- A classroom where students who are absent due to illness or extra-curricular activities such as athletics or field-trips, don’t get left behind.
- A class where content is permanently archived for review or remediation.
- A class where all students are engaged in their learning.
- A place where all students can get a personalized education.
If a faculty is interested in incorporating the flipped classroom into their’ courses, it would be better to start off using one assignment and creating the necessary content and activities to see what works and how students are affected.
Next identifying the necessary technology to create the out-0f-classroom content is important. This could comprise brief recorded lectures and presentations with a quiz to test the students on what they observed, digital readings with collaborative annotation capabilities, and discussion board participation.
Finally, having a semi-structured classroom activity developed can allow for idea generation and discussion to flow inside the classroom in support of active learning. One must always be realistic on how much will be achieved the first time doing a flipped classroom. With practice and experience there can be payoff for the faculty and more so for students.
Articles:
6 Expert Tips for Flipping the Classroom
The Flipped Class: Myths vs. Reality
7 Things you should know about Flipped Classrooms
Survey Results: 67% Educators Report Flipped Classroom Improves Test Scores









