Tips & Tricks for a Flipped Classroom Model

Have you recently taken on a flipped classroom model? Or are you thinking about implementing one?

Flipped classrooms, delivering both online and offline content in a blended learning approach, are taking hold and changing classrooms. They’re full of benefits too. Students learn at their own pace as teachers set them work such as slideshow presentations or videos to do at home. This means students can learn at their own speed and then return to class and apply that knowledge.

There are many benefits to using a flipped classroom model, but here, we’ve listed a few tips and tricks for implementing one.

1. Take the time to apply it

Transition to your flipped classroom strategy slowly, and don’t worry if you hit any pitfalls. You may run into problems such as links in slideshows not working but this is just adapting to the new method of learning. You’ll want to start slowly by setting out one lesson at a time and then seeing how your class reacts to the changes to make it work.

2. Evaluate your changes

A flipped classroom model tends to take away traditional classroom instruction and there is more emphasis on the learner. You could move your seats and tables around to better suit your instruction within a flipped classroom environment, whether you’re working in groups or individually. One important tip – allow space for you to move between your students and communicate!

3. Record engaging lectures

Whilst you may not have to speak to a classroom of students, you’ll probably still lecture. If you choose to record your lectures, try and speak slowly and be in a quiet place. Be yourself too – you’re still teaching!

4. Encourage active learning

It may be worth letting your students know what they can do when they’re watching your lectures to help them learn, e.g., play/pause buttons, rewind, etc. This flexibility can improve their learning. You could also remind them that they should be in a quiet place too. Make sure they know about taking notes and how they can reach you for questions if this option is available. This will not only help your students’ learning but make them feel more comfortable with this new style of learning.

5. Involve parents in your flipped classroom model and strategy

By involving parents in their child’s learning, this can help a child’s engagement. To support parents in getting on board, you could make sure they know about the flipped classroom model and how it works, as well as suggest ways to help their child learn, e.g., having a quiet environment. Again, you’ll need to be patient whilst you’re communicating this.

It may take time to fully implement a flipped classroom strategy into your teaching but once you have done it and you understand what works well, the opportunities will be great for personalized learning.

Do you use a flipped classroom model? We’d love to hear from you – just email international@edmentum.com.