Flipped Classrooms

Flip the Script

Think fast!

In one sentence, describe how you would "flip" a traditional lecture:

What will students do before class?
What will they do during class?

This quick brainstorm will help you start thinking about flipping your own classroom!

Rethinking Lecture Time for Active Learning

A flipped classroom flips the traditional teaching model on its head. Instead of spending class time listening to lectures, students are introduced to course content before coming to class. This can include recorded lectures, videos, or readings. Class time is then used for hands-on activities, discussions, and problem-solving exercises to deepen understanding.

Why Use a Flipped Classroom?

Flipped classrooms offer an engaging alternative to traditional lectures. Instead of passively receiving information, students actively work with the material during class. Here's why this approach works:

Encourages Active Learning: Students focus on applying knowledge during class, rather than simply absorbing it.
Multiple Learning Modes: The format blends independent study (outside class) with collaborative, hands-on activities (in class).
Flexible Pacing: Students can review content at their own speed and revisit challenging concepts as needed.
Targeted Support: Class time allows instructors to address common challenges or misunderstandings.

Designing Your Flipped Classroom

1. Create Engaging Pre-Class Materials

Recorded video lectures provide reusable content for multiple courses. Keep videos short (under 10 minutes) and focused on one concept. If needed, break larger topics into smaller segments. Use learning objectives to guide content creation, focusing on foundational knowledge students need before class. can help structure objectives.
If recording videos isn’t an option, share digital content like readings, presentations, podcasts, or existing videos to deliver essential pre-class material.

2. Plan Interactive In-Class Activities

Plan in-class activities to help students engage deeply with the topic and tackle complex objectives.
Use strategies like Think-Pair-Share, group work, Jigsaw, or problem-based learning.
For particularly challenging problems, activities may span multiple sessions. Explore more techniques through the .

3. Assess Understanding Frequently

Use quick assessments like short quizzes or 1-minute papers to gauge comprehension.
Check student understanding regularly and adjust instruction as needed.

Pros and Cons of Flipped Learning

Pros:

Students can revisit lectures as needed, improving retention.
Class time becomes interactive and engaging.
Instructors can collect and act on real-time feedback.

Cons:

Initial effort required to redesign content and create videos.
Requires consistent student participation in pre-class work.
Balancing technology and in-class interactions can be challenging.

Tips for Success

Start Small: Test the flipped format with a single topic or module before applying it to your whole course.
Set Expectations: Explain to students how the flipped classroom enhances learning and why it benefits them.
Keep It Focused: Limit pre-class content to manageable chunks, and ensure all activities align with learning objectives.

Harvard's Flipping Kit

To explore the concept further, provides practical guidance and resources for faculty interested in implementing this approach. The kit offers tips for structuring flipped classrooms, designing activities, and ensuring successful student engagement.

The flipped classroom empowers students to take control of their learning while creating a more dynamic and interactive teaching environment.

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