You’ve probably heard about it once or twice by now — you might have even had one before. Talk of flipped classrooms has gone around in education lately, so students are rightly wondering, "How come these are starting to pop up everywhere?"
As described last week, the highlights of the flipped models are that students would watch lectures at home, then come to class to do activities. The idea pulls passive learning out of the classroom (where time is limited) to get more active learning instead. Evidence of positives demonstrated in flipped classroom settings stem primarily from anecdotal accounts by students and their instructors. Additionally, more in-depth studies have examined students’ test scores in flipped settings compared to traditional ones. It’s not an outlandish idea either — more students than ever are gaining access to computers and Internet in their homes. And the system has plenty of other benefits!
1. Online works the same or better than offline
Studies found that flipping from hands-on to online interactions generally worked quite alright. When Bishop and Verleger studied assigning homework online, they found it as effective for student learning as paper and pencil homework. Likewise, they found online tutoring seems almost as effective as human tutors. Bishop and Verleger also looked at the video components of flipped learning. They found that all students sampled tended to do the assignments; some students even watched optional videos. In traditional settings, Bishop and Verleger found their sample of students also tended to read. So in groups of students already performing academically well, they seem to adjust well in flipped classrooms.
2. Flipping enhances class time
Studies also show flipped classrooms make better use of class time. Garrow, Hotle, and Mumbower found that in a flipped classroom, the amount of time a lecture needs can shrink to a third of its normal length. Likewise, Herreid and Schiller found that teachers say they make more effective use of their time, because they gain constant access to customize curriculum without needing to wait. Students feel greater flexibility to work at their own paces; thus, flipping lets instructors condense their lectures, and lets students gain more freedom.
3. Students learn even more
Studies show flipping also enhances the depth of learning. Garrow, Hotle and Mumbower note that during class time, more advanced material than before can be introduced. They also found that students asked more in-depth questions. Tucker agrees students think more deeply about their subjects and ask better questions under flipped formats. Herreid and Schiller found too that students engage in more active learning and “…become more open to cooperative learning and innovative teaching methods." Herreid and Schiller conducted their own survey and found additional advantages: Other teachers concluded that the flipped classroom enables students to conduct more “authentic research,” such as lab work, and that students watching video lectures were more prepared for class than textbook readers. Thus, students learn more complex material through flipped courses.
4. Students care more in flipped classes
Flipped classrooms also report increased student engagement and support. Tucker found through the flipped method that the instructor can provide more individual support to struggling students while giving the advanced ones more freedom to learn on their own. The anecdotes noted in Tucker’s study demonstrate that through the flipped method, students display more motivation and that teachers pay closer attention to lesson content. Likewise, Herreid and Schiller found in-class homework lets teachers help students to work through difficult areas and to discern their learning styles. The study also notes students who miss class due to extracurriculars can easily catch up on lessons. Plus, they claim, the in-class activities are more effective than lecturing, and the students enjoy the activities more. Overall, Herreid and Schiller found, according to aggregate data from multiple studies, flipping increases student interest, achievement and engagement, and improves student attitudes, behavior and performance.
5. Students earn better grades
Still, perhaps the most cited benefit of flipped classrooms — students earn higher grades. The Herreid and Schiller survey found that flipped students outperformed their traditional counterparts in exams. Pienta also cited academic performance improvement in the lower third of the class he studied. Bishop and Verleger found learning improves too; those who watched online video lectures scored higher on exams. In another study, Day and Foley identified “significantly higher” grades and “strong positive attitudes” in flipped groups. Clearly, some component of changing from traditional to flipped works.
6. Students love flipping of classes
Finally, perhaps the second most cited benefit of flipped classrooms — students just say they like them. Herreid and Schiller, Garrow, Hotle and Mumbower and Bishop and Verleger all found students surveyed in favor of the flipped format. Bishop and Verleger found too that in addition to students feeling generally positive about flipped formats, they preferred the use of class time for activities rather than in-person lectures. Since student engagement plays a pivotal role in active learning, the positive results look especially promising.
So maybe you’ll see a flipped classroom or two in the near future — maybe you won’t. For now, expect to see more studies. And regardless of where you stand, know the conversations will keep on coming.
