The Flipped Classroom

Introduction

The American sociologist Mirra Komarovsky famously stated that “the greatest danger of traditional education is that learning may remain purely verbal.” This quote suggests that traditional education, which often relies on lectures and memorization, is not effective in promoting true understanding and application of knowledge. However, this is not always the case today, and with the advent of new teaching methods, the conventional classroom setting we all remember might soon become outdated.

The flipped classroom turns everything on its head, and the traditional approach to teaching is upended. Rather than introducing the course material during the live session, learners first get acquainted with the content online, outside of the usual classroom boundaries. They can engage with the asynchronous material at their own pace and revisit concepts as needed. This is followed up with a live synchronous lesson based on the same material.

Russell Stannard has compared the flipped learning cycle to Bloom’s Taxonomy of Learning. The early steps, he states, the lower order thinking skills such as remembering and understanding, are contained within the digital prework, whereas the higher order skills like applying, analyzing, evaluating, and creating are practiced in the live session. The advantage is that the more difficult stages, where the learners actively engage with the content, take place in the presence of the trainer. This creates more value for the live session, as it creates an environment where learners can participate in activities that help them develop real-world skills.

Bloom’s Taxonomy

Advantages

Flipping the classroom model encourages greater engagement and prompts learners to take responsibility for their own learning journey. The onus is on taking initiative – to engage with course material prior to the class, to come prepared, and to actively partake in class activities and discussions. By flipping the class, educators are also helping learners to engage in critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

An even more convincing argument in favor of a flipped classroom is that it optimizes valuable classroom time, and live sessions are more impactful, as they are focused on practical real-life tasks. The teacher can guide students through real-world challenges, providing useful feedback and support in real-time. This interactive environment not only improves learning outcomes but also sparks a sense of active participation, allowing students to become actively involved in the construction of knowledge. As a result, learners feel more motivated to take ownership of their educational journey. Flipping the classroom empowers the learners to become self-directed, motivated individuals, which are essential skills for success in the dynamic world of business.

In the context of business English training, it means that face-to-face time can be spent on work-oriented scenarios, such as task-based activities, which involve higher levels of interaction and collaboration with peers. Students are able to access and review digital content at their own pace, where and whenever they want. This flexible arrangement ensures that learners can fit their studies around their busy schedules, eliminating the pressure of rigid timelines and allowing for a more personalized learning experience.

Possible Problem Areas

A potential issue is the interval of time between the digital prework and the live session. It is important that the learners activate and apply new content while it is still fresh in their mind. Also, the length of online assignments needs to be realistic, as attention fades during digital learning. The learners will expect micro learning content in manageable chunks that can be consumed during a busy workday.

Online learning is perceived to be self-paced, but learning still needs to be done in structured manner. The requirement to complete online assignments needs to be clearly communicated in advance of the lessons. This message needs to be reinforced every now and again to keep up high levels of learner engagement. Some students might struggle with self-regulation, motivation and engagement.

Lack of easy access to online learning components can cause problems. This may create a digital divide among learners who have different levels of access to the internet and technology. Technical difficulties that affect the use of online materials may affect learning outcomes. There needs to be solid lines of communication as support is often needed.

Implementation

At Learnship, we believe in breaking out of the mold of traditional education. That’s why we’ve adopted the “flipped classroom” to transform the way our learners engage with language learning. Our flagship product, Sprint Business Skills, is a good example of this innovative methodology. Sprint is a language learning program designed for professionals in a business context. It is a flipped classroom blended learning program that combines online self-paced learning with live classroom sessions.

So, how does Learnship’s Sprint program work? Let’s dive into the detail. Before our live, teacher-led sessions even begin, our learners get a head start by delving into digital assignments that cover target vocabulary, functional phrases, and language structures. This pre-work is thoughtfully designed with practice activities like gap-click, gap-fill, and categorization exercises, making it both engaging and convenient to complete online at your own pace.

Once our learner’s step into the live session, the real excitement begins. Gone are the days of passive teacher-led lecturing; instead, students actively participate in interactive activities that reinforce the concepts covered in their digital pre-work. Group discussions, role-plays, debates, presentations, and interviews become the heart of our vibrant, task-based discussions. This minimizes unnecessary trainer talk time and maximizes the invaluable learner talk time – allowing for practical application, speaking practice and fluency development.

Learnship Sprint is an effective language learning program that leverages technology and independent practice time to provide a more interactive and engaging learning experience for professionals in a business context. In our flipped classroom, our trainers evolve into facilitators of learning, providing the necessary guidance, instructional scaffolding, and constructive feedback. They kick off the session by setting clear goals and expectations, empowering students to take charge of their learning journey. Additionally, through open-ended questions, they draw upon the knowledge that learners already possess, fostering a dynamic and collaborative learning environment.

At Learnship, our commitment doesn’t end with just the classroom. We believe in the success of every student and strive to exceed expectations continually. Our dedicated language specialists and customer support team are always just a call away, ensuring seamless assistance and personalized interventions throughout the learning process.

Conclusion

As the flipped classroom gains momentum, it becomes evident that optimizing the time spent with a teacher has considerable benefits. The traditional role of the teacher has changed, and language training is much more learner-led and self-directed. As a result, learning outcomes have substantially improved.

References:
Stannard, R. “Is the flipped classroom relevant to ELT.” EFL Magazine. https://eflmagazine.com/flipped-classroom-relevant-elt/ (Accessed August 1, 2023). Images used under license from Shutterstock.com