Are Flipped Classrooms The New Age For Learning?
In the traditional classroom model, teachers stand at the front of the room and explain the concepts, then send students home to do their homework with the idea that doing the extra work will solidify their learning. Although this is how most students have learned for many years, is it really the best method for educational success? After all, we all know that students often tune out lectures or get bored and don’t absorb the material. Then, they struggle to complete their homework. Fortunately, some educators have taken innovative steps in classroom learning to address gaps and barriers. One of these concepts is the flipped classroom, which is gaining popularity for the number of benefits it offers students. But what is a flipped classroom, and why are teachers starting to use it?
What Is A Flipped Classroom?
It can be challenging for students, especially young children, to sit still for lectures. Their minds might wander, they may wish they were anywhere but in class, and they might struggle to focus in all kinds of ways.
Flipped classrooms don’t force children to sit through lectures and take notes. Instead, they take lectures home. Recorded lectures are considered students’ homework. They can learn basic concepts at home, then apply them in the classroom. Instead of listening to teachers talk for an hour or more in the classroom, flipped classrooms use the time for students to complete assignments and projects. Students can ask teachers questions and get answers to their questions right away.
The Benefits Of Flipped Classroom Learning
- Although it isn’t perfect, the flipped classroom comes with many benefits for students and teachers alike. Teachers, for instance, can deliver their lectures once and don’t have to revisit the same material over and over again. Teaching can become more hands-on and interactive.
- Classroom time is short and there’s a lot of material to learn. By using lectures as homework, it reduces the amount of time spent on explaining basic concepts. This maximizes the benefits of classroom time. Students are more engaged and can work at their own pace.
- Students don’t learn at the same rate or in the same way. Recorded lectures can be much better for kids who struggle to focus or those who have trouble taking effective notes. Those who need a bit more time to learn basic concepts can refer back to the lectures whenever they need to. Students who don’t do well sitting for long periods of time can move while they listen to lectures or take frequent breaks.
- Flipping the classroom gives students a sense of autonomy. They decide when and how to review lectures. They have the responsibility for any consequences that might occur from not doing their homework and not understanding key concepts. But, they also have freedom and flexibility in their learning plan.
- Overall, flipped classrooms are more student-focused and personalized. Teachers can provide guidance and answer questions in the classroom, ultimately providing more individual attention to students and meeting them where they are. Individual needs and learning gaps can be addressed more easily in flipped classrooms.
Flipped Classrooms For Childhood Development
Traditional classrooms can be very difficult for children with developmental difficulties. Children who start to fall behind in skills like literacy [1] often just continue to lag far beyond their peers without the issue being addressed in the classroom. In a lecture setting, it’s nearly impossible to see which students are struggling and which are excelling.
Flipped classrooms can be fantastic for child development because they offer more personalized and self-paced learning. Instead of overwhelming children with concepts, flipped classrooms allow for review, questions, and improvement. There’s less pressure, and kids can learn using different methods and styles. Kids who are developing need confidence. When they are able to learn and succeed instead of feeling bored and stressed out, they thrive!
Web-Based Tools For Flipped Learning
Flipped learning is only possible due to the technological tools that are now available. Web-based tools are necessary for recording and distributing lectures. Additionally, digital tools make up an important part of hybrid classrooms, with students using these tools to enhance their learning. For teaching subjects like math, which often requires extra help, online tools can be a must.
Deciding which tools are best [3] can sometimes be the most challenging aspect of flipped learning. Finding web-based solutions that help educators manage flipped classrooms is important for success. But when it works, it really works!
References:
[1] Child Illiteracy in America: Statistics, Facts, and Resources
