Why Are Educators Doing Backflips Over Flipped Learning?

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Though it’s been around for about two decades, school districts around the U.S. are now considering the flipped learning model for their classrooms. Why? Today’s educators must be ready to teach remote students, and as schools invest in their distance learning capabilities, a natural fit for this approach is to adopt flipped learning concepts. Under a flipped learning model, in-class lecturing is kept to a minimum. Instead, students are expected to view lesson content outside of class, using technology to connect to an online learning platform. Alternatively, educators can provide their students with devices that have lesson content loaded onto an onboard drive, so online connectivity is not required. In either instance students review the lesson outside of the classroom, and inside the classroom, students are encouraged to direct their own learning within the lesson framework. The teacher provides one-to-one or group support, depending on each student’s needs.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

How Does Technology Fit In A Flipped Learning Model?

Without technology, flipped learning would be impossible. Devices, whether connected to the internet or not, are required for at-home learning. As for the specific device, districts typically choose from familiar options, including iPads, Chromebooks or Windows laptops. Technology also has a major presence in a flipped classroom, and in one, you may see the following:[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/2"][vc_column_text]

Digital displays, including interactive displays -

In a flipped classroom, lessons are reinforced using compelling visuals and not just lectures. Digital displays are a popular option for delivering these visuals, and students can use them to review videos, images, concept drawings, recorded demonstrations, and other support media. In some classrooms, educators opt for interactive displays, which adds another layer of functionality. Students can use the display to organize brainstorming sessions or problem solve using a visual format. Teachers can also use the interactive display to annotate over media or quickly introduce helpful material to students.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/2"][vc_column_text]

STEM-related robotics and support furniture -

According to the Flipped Learning Network, flipped learning is most common in math and science. It is also common to see the flipped learning approach used with robotics and engineering lessons, flipped classrooms and STEM learning are easy to match together. In addition to the robotics themselves, flipped classrooms may incorporate support furniture like robotics storage and device charging stations.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/6"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="2/3"][vc_column_text]

A group-focused classroom layout -

Flipped classrooms are not arranged like traditional lecture rooms, with desks facing the front. Instead, you’re more likely to see desks arranged in pods to facilitate group work or to partition students depending on where they are in their lessons.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/6"][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

What Are The Benefits Of Adopting Flipped Learning?

There are numerous benefits to the flipped learning model, and educators who try it almost universally agree that it’s an effective approach. In a survey sent out by the Flipped Learning Network, 99 percent of teachers who used flipped learning said they would use it the following year in their classroom. It’s difficult to find such unanimous agreement with anything, but flipped learning makes a strong case for itself. Here’s why educators are considering it:

1. Students respond well to technology - Technology is an essential part of the flipped learning framework, which is good for educators looking to better engage their students. Today’s students are already familiar with the kind of technology used in a flipped learning classroom. Digital displays, tablets, laptops - these are basic devices for most students, and they form the foundation of flipped learning.

Flipped learning also brings in the power of visual learning, to a more comprehensive degree than what’s found in a traditional classroom. With compelling video, images and applications, students that would be bored with a lecture can be engaged in other ways.

2. Flipped learning transforms the role of student and teacher - Among the many flipped concepts in a classroom is the role of student and teacher. With a flipped learning framework, students are empowered to pursue their studies when and where they want, as lesson delivery is done outside of the classroom.

With this approach, students are responsible for their learning and can move at the speed they are most comfortable with. This is ideal for both lagging and excelling students, as neither is pressured to speed up or slow down.

Flipped learning also switches up the role of the teacher. In the past, educators were overwhelmed with lesson creation, delivery, and ensuring the entire class is keeping up. This can set up an antagonistic relationship between the teacher and their students, as some may feel like they are being left behind. With flipped learning, though, teachers can focus on students who need extra support, ensuring everyone’s educational needs are met. Also, because teachers take more of a supervisory role in the classroom, they can quickly identify which students will likely need this additional support, before they are challenged with an exam.

3. Students perform better in a flipped learning classroom - In the end, educators want teaching methods that work, and methods that improve test scores and student achievement. Flipped learning does that, according to several studies. One of these studies looked at flipped learning for at-risk students and found major improvements in student pass rate. Other studies have noted improvements in advanced math classes, including algebra and trigonometry coursework.

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Flip Your Classroom With A Certified AV Integrator

Students and educators are both enthused about flipped learning, but to ensure your school gets the most out this solution, it’s best to work with a certified AV integrator. The technologies used in a flipped classroom are largely AV in nature, and a certified integrator knows how to best arrange, install, and configure them. An integrator can even help before the technologies are selected, matching each classroom to the best displays, speakers, and matching students with the best learning devices. As certified AV integrators are experienced in technology-focused ideas like flipped learning, they can provide insight into room layout, educational applications, STEM-learning accessories, and anything else that would fit into a flipped classroom. After everything is installed, certified integrators can also provide long term support and maintenance for their educational clients, so no matter how complex or wide-ranging your flipped learning initiative is, a certified integrator will ensure it continues functioning smoothly. Be sure to choose an AV integrator that provides professional development as this is the ideal way for teachers to adapt to the flipped learning process quickly and seamlessly. Recent years have challenged educators to stay on the forefront of learning technologies, and many are turning to flipped classrooms to keep their students engaged and competitive. A certified AV integrator can help make this vision a reality, with powerful technologies that are easy and engaging to use.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]