Yzzabel Denise L.

Tolentino

2FM4

Flipped Classroom for the New Era

The term is nothing new to us….a quick and easy Google search shows how it turned to be popular and
how it started, but recent advances in technology and the mass adoption of online gaming, social media and the
Internet by students of all ages means the idea of flipped classroom is gaining traction once.

As defined, a flipped classroom is an instructional strategy and a type of blended learning that reverses the
traditional learning environment by delivering instructional content, often online, outside of the classroom. It moves
activities, including those that may have traditionally been considered homework, into the classroom. Literally, it
“flips” the traditional structure of teaching as students view lessons and demonstrations on their computers outside
of class and then use classroom time to apply their learning under the guidance of their educator or teacher. This
lets teacher individualize instruction and allows students to learn at their own pace.

Given the freedom and chance to express my own opinion, I believe that although traditional classroom
model sowed proof of efficiency and effectiveness way back before to our successful professionals, I still believe
that this is now the right time to move forward and ahead, following the rise of digital transformation and fast
evolution of technology and taking the advantage of it.

To better understand the subject, identifying the advantages and disadvantages of flipped classroom is a
must to do in order to fully maximized understanding. In a flipped classroom model, valuable classroom time can
then be devoted to higher cognitive, more active, project-based learning where students work together to solve
problems. This helps the students to gain a deeper understanding of the subject, where they can really wrestle with
the key issues. Rather than teachers using class time to dispense information, students can instead watch video
lectures, listen to podcasts, read e-book content and even collaborate with peers in online communities and discuss
their learning in classroom rate. Also, in the aspect of student’s welfare, in the flipped classroom model, students
can learn in an environment they prefer, and at a pace that works for them. They can access the online tools and
resources anytime they need and can pause and rewind the lectures, write down questions they may have and discuss
them with their teachers and peers in class. This also allows students who need more time to understand certain
concepts to take their time reviewing the material without getting left behind. In addition, students can benefit from
a tailored curriculum and more one on one time with teachers.

I believed that when educator is freed from delivering a traditional lecture at the front of the classroom, as
in the case of flipped classrooms, it becomes easier to circulate and focus attention on individual student needs. An
online lecture might be followed by a short quiz, also taken online, that allows the teacher to check how well each
student understood the course material and which concepts needs to be further address in class.
 However, contrary to the positive effect of flipped classroom, one must remember that students must take
responsibility for watching the lectures at home, and completing other activities outside the classroom such as
reading, online tests and assignments and a like. Unfortunately, there is no way to guarantee students will be oblige
or cooperate with the flipped model and a huge focus is put on teachers to inspire and empower their students to take
control on their own learning, and to follow up to ensure the students are learning what is required.

In conclusion, flipped classroom method, despite of the many advantages for both the educator and students
still needs to be assessed and clarified further. As we all know, one of the most prominent issues is the necessity for
the students to have access to a computer and internet in order to view the lectures. This is particularly hard on
students from low income families who have limited access to resources. Therefore education providers and
educators need to ensure that all students have the opportunity to learn the online material. Proposed solutions to
this problem include increasing access to computers at school or to the public library for those students who can’t
afford to have internet access at home.

Soon, with proper study, readiness and implementation, flipped classroom method can deliver full
advantage to the education system of our country. By allowing students to partake in their own learning, they will
also able to own the knowledge they achieve, which in turn builds confidence, and they develop important skills
around taking responsibility for the learning, time planning and prioritization valuable skills to prepare them for
further, independent education and lifelong learning.