The Pros and Cons of the Flipped Classroom

The Pros and Cons of the Flipped Classroom

Possible benefits of the flipped classroom:

•    Students can take ownership of their learning.

•    Teachers can create or select educationally entertaining videos to capture student attention, instead of having students absorb through textbooks and homework problems.

•    The classroom becomes a student centered learning environment, rather than teacher directed a content driven.

•    Students receive instant feedback in class as they are problem solving.

•   Students are not as frustrated because they can ask questions immediately and work through confusion.

•   Teachers can revisit concepts that trip-up students and reform the pace of the lesson plan based on feedback.

•   Students do not have to rely on parents, tutors or potentially inaccurate internet sources to work through tough problems.

•   Teachers can provide options to students with different learning styles and offer more one-on-one time.

•   Students who are absent or miss class due to school activities have access to the content delivery outside of the classroom.

•   Administrators, colleagues and parents have access to the content being delivered in your classroom.

•   More time to allow for student involvement in Project Based Learning, Inquiry Based Learning, Gamification and Simulations.

•   Development of Critical Thinking, Communication and Collaborative skill sets through increased interaction between students and teachers in the classroom.  

Possible draw-backs of the flipped classroom

•    Not all students have access to at-home technology.

•    Not all teachers are tech savvy enough to master the flipped classroom model, and schools may need to adopt additional hiring criteria for new teachers.

•    The method relies on students watching the videos and potentially fails

    if they do not.

•    Teachers may be at a loss as what to do with in-class time.  Teachers are more reliant on student feedback and questions to drive daily interaction.

•      With the emphasis on out of class lessons, some ask why we need teachers, and insist the flipped classroom too closely resembles a hands-off online learning environment.

•    Educators need time to develop online content and create a student centered learning environment, through Inquiry and Project Based Learning methods.