What is the flipped classroom and its characteristics

The flipped classroom known in English as Fipped Classroom has become, since its implementation in 2007, one of the most successful didactic strategies in education.

This new methodology has come to leave traditional education behind and offer better learning to students.

New technologies and digital resources have brought about great changes in the educational system of many countries.

Today, we can find innovative learning models such as the Flipped classroom, which offers many advantages to both teachers and students.

Are you interested in knowing what the flipped classroom is and its main characteristics ? Feel free to read on until the end.

What is the flipped classroom?

The flipped classroom is a learning model developed in the United States, to be more specific at Harvard University. Although it is a very successful strategy within teacher innovation, this methodology is not new and actually comes from various works created in the 1990s.

However, it is thanks to its pedagogical practicality and its relationship with the new technologies that are applied in education.

In addition, its popularity has expanded rapidly thanks to the influences of characters such as Salman Khan or Bill Gates, who have defended the flipped classroom methodology.

This model proposes that classes, instead of being held within a classroom, take place in a place of individual learning, such as at home.

Characteristics of the inverted classroom or Flipped Classroom

Flipped learning fosters the commitment and involvement of the individual in their own teaching. Among its main characteristics we find:

Students have unlimited use of classroom resources.

• Teachers can offer personalized instruction.

• The family can be involved in the learning process.

• The teacher can have a better follow-up of the student.

What is the flipped classroom?

If we think of traditional education, we always think of the many homework and exercises that students bring home. Well, the flipped classroom is quite the opposite, since its methodological basis consists of overturning the traditional educational proposal.

In this sense, the flipped classroom aims to provide the student with the theory that he must study at home and then be discussed in class, making better use of the space and time to carry out tasks practically of what was studied.

This learning model allows students to carry out practical exercises and solve doubts during class hours, while the other time at home is dedicated to studying theory.

In addition, it gives a greater index of freedom and responsibility to the student.

Flipped classroom learning environments

The FLIP or flipped classroom model is developed on 4 pillars of learning, to explain it more easily, here we detail them below:

1. Flexible environment

It is the environment fostered by the teacher in which students decide when and where to learn.

It is important for the teacher to be flexible so that the student assimilates their content at their own pace, thus allowing broader learning and evaluations adapted to the flipped classroom.

2. Learning culture

Known as learning culture, it focuses on the instructional model focused on the student and their participation in the entire process.

The teacher aims to get students to share and deepen their questions, concerns, and findings with their other peers.

3. Intentional content

This refers to all the lessons based on the flipped classroom model that teachers prepare.

It is important that teachers adapt their planning to the objectives of the subject and the understanding of concepts, as well as to find the best ways to use the time in class.

4. Qualified teachers.

The professional teacher must have a behavior that allows him to remain immersed throughout the reverse classroom process. They should focus on the evolution of the students and provide feedback.

In short, it is impossible to effectively implement the flipped classroom to improve student results, if these 4 scenarios are not taken into account first, which must be developed equally.

What are the pros and cons of applying the flipped classroom?

It is important to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages that the flipped classroom can offer when applying it. While it is true that their success is due to the large number of advantages that it offers us, they also have some points against that we must take into account.

Advantages of the flipped classroom

• The class adapts to the needs and pace of the needs of each student.

• Improves the work environment in the classroom.

• Develops creativity and critical thinking in students.

• Optimizes the delivery of assignments by students and their review by the teacher.

• It enables teachers and students to cut costs and save time.

• Promotes problem-solving in class.

• Increase the motivation and interest of the student body.

• Improves social interaction between teacher and students.

• Transform the traditional classroom into a space for organized interactivity.

• They motivate student learning.

Disadvantages of the flipped classroom

• The teacher must dedicate much more time and knowledge to improve the methodology, planning and resources to be used.

• They do not encourage interpersonal relationships outside the classroom.

• The lack of technological resources in educational centers can hinder this methodology.

• Project-based learning is not used.

• Students can take on a passive role and teacher guidance remains essential.

• Teachers must be specialized in ICTs, which can be a limitation.

In short, flipped learning has allowed thousands of people to continue their academic studies and new generations to learn in a much more effective way adapted to these times.

Therefore, it is a methodology that will evolve and offer better and better benefits to students.