Tips On Successfully Using the Flipped Classroom Method

The flipped classroom method is quite common in higher education settings. The method is commonly used in medical schools and graduate programs. Even though it is uncommon in primary and secondary schools, the benefits of the flipped classroom method can still prove to be quite useful. According to a study conducted within the International Journal of Instruction, students in a flipped classroom had shown significantly higher self-regulation and social connectedness. The study compared students in flipped classrooms to students in a traditionally set classroom. So what is the flipped classroom method? Read on below to find out what it is and how to successfully implement it in your classroom.

The Flipped Classroom Method

The flipped classroom method is an instructional strategy in which the instructors preassign reading material or lecture videos to their students so that they can read them at home. In the classroom, the students are allowed to engage among themselves to solve various problems related to the course material while being guided by the instructor.

The term ‘flipped classroom’ makes sense because it is the opposite of traditional teaching methods which involve direct instruction of the course materials within classrooms. Revision of these materials usually occurs as homework.

Tips For The Flipped Classroom Method

Start With Lesson Goals

To incorporate a more effective approach, identify the key learning outcomes of each lesson before making videos or recommending lesson material to students. Identifying the core lesson objectives will help you trace the path that students will follow. It will help you understand the merits of each learning activity and single out potential areas of improvement within the classroom’s collaborative environment.

Use Visually Appealing Images And Direct Language

Delivering instructional content via video presents its own set of challenges. It might get hard to deliver hard topics in short videos which leave little room for imagery. After identifying the core lesson objectives, make a script of your narrative and a collage of the images, charts and diagrams that you want to deliver.

Make Videos To Assess What Students Know

If you make videos and post them on platforms like YouTube, you can never know if they are being useful. Online websites like Articulate allow you to engage with your students when they watch these videos. This happens without your direct influence, allowing the student to form their own perspective of the material. Interactive questions pre-set by you can easily pop-up during specific pats of instructional videos which your students have to answer. Moreover, the app can also present reports on student answers, helping you in identifying the efficacy of your content delivery.

Involve Parents

The concept of flipped classrooms is foreign to most teachers. We can only imagine how foreign it must sound to parents. Since you’re ceding some control over your classroom, it is more important than ever to bring parents on board. It helps clear misconceptions about the flipped classroom method and can help them improve the efficiency of the method by directly monitoring their children’s participation and interest.

Be Up Front With Your Expectations With Children

Students usually expect traditional form of instruction within classrooms. When the situation is ‘flipped’, it gets a little challenging to induce the sense of learning responsibility within children. We recommend incorporating an enthusiastic approach towards the flipped classroom method. Engage with your students on a daily basis. This helps spark their interest within classroom discussions and within the self-learning they are assigned to do at home.

Know When To Intervene And When To Let Students Discuss

In the flipped classroom method, it is the instructor’s responsibility to understand when to intervene. Instructors can listen to the conversations students are having about the assigned topic. By listening in, you can assess the thought processes that each student is following. If they seem to be stuck, you can intervene and resolve any misconceptions that they might be forming in their heads. If not, let them discuss. The discussions prove to be very helpful for them in developing a deep understanding of the curriculum.

Assess Student’s Comprehension Beforehand

In the flipped classroom method, it is more useful if you assess whether your students have a good understanding of core concepts. The assessment can take the form of a short quiz. Based on that quiz, you can assess if the class has enough understanding to dive directly into problem solving and critical thinking or if they need a small revision exercise.

Final Thoughts

The flipped classroom method is an unconventional teaching style. This is because in it classroom sessions mostly involve discussions rather than curriculum delivery. Students receive the core learning material for personal study and engage in discussions and exercises in the classroom. Although effective, the method can provide its own set of challenges that must be overcome by instructors. If you’re trying out the flipped classroom method you can use online tools like KeyboardingOnline to keep things fun and engaging. Students can brush up their typing skills and can learn on the go.