Flipping the classroom is an inverted approach to teaching and learning in which traditional lecture and “homework” are moved online, while the classroom becomes a place for active learning, collaborative learning, and hands-on practice. Our “A Guide to Flipping the Classroom” site contains several resources for faculty interested in flipping the classroom. We also encourage you to contact the Center for Teaching and Learning for assistance in implementing flipping in a way that works for you and your students.
But first . . . what does it really mean to “flip the classroom”?
Some people believe that a flipped classroom results from simply putting videos of lectures online and then having students do homework during class time. Flipping the classroom, however, can encompass so much more.
At its best, in the flipped classroom:
- The instructor makes thoughtful decisions about what kind of content to share, when to share it, and in what media.
- Students engage with content they accessed before coming to class. This content might be textual, visual, audio, or multimedia.
- Students work together on activities that deepen their understanding of the content—for example, by applying core principles of course content to a “real-world” scenario or challenge.
- The instructor works with students during the class period. For example, she may circulate among the students, conducting on-the-fly formative assessment so she can better evaluate students’ growing understanding of the topic.
The goal? A dynamic, interactive learning environment where students help each other creatively apply and engage with the instructor, with the course content, and with one another.