The Flipped Classroom Model

The Flipped Classroom Model, founded in 2007 by John Bergman and Aaron Sams, replaces traditional classroom instruction. Students first explore the content at their own pace, usually at home, then complete activities and engage in deeper thinking and discourse in the classroom. There are many different types: 

o  Group Based

o  Standard Inverted 

o  Microflipped

o  Discussion Oriented

o  Demonstration Based

o  Faux Flipped 

o  Virtual Flipped 

o  Role Reversal

The Flipped Classroom Approach is beneficial because it helps struggling students. Teachers can engage in more one on one time with students to accommodate for their individual needs. The flipped classroom increases engagement and improves classroom management. It helps teachers educate parents on the content because they have access to the videos that provide the instruction and example problems. It is compatible with all learning styles. Students are exploring the instruction themselves, so they can listen, collaborate with peers, or study alone if they choose to. Then, in class, they participate in more hands-on and interactive activities. 

The Flipped Classroom Model follows these steps:

1.    Plan Outcomes- what do you want students to learn/do?

2.    Record when appropriate 

3.    Share with Students – give students access to content

4.    View Video- students do at home/ on their own time

5.    Group discussions- students are held accountable for obtaining the material needed for the discussions.

Things to remember concerning the Flipped Classroom Model: Noise is great, as long as it is task focused. Alwaysprovide in-class instruction when needed. Students are not meant to fend for themselves the whole time. Make your own videos to make instruction more personal. Make notes of who to pull for one on one instruction and DO IT! Do not make excuses, such as, “I’ll pull them tomorrow!” The Flipped Classroom Approach is designed for the teacher to serve as a facilitator and assist students in any way necessary. 

Some tools for the Flipped Classroom Model include, but are not limited to Google Classroom, EdPuzzle, Padlet, Quizizz, BrainPop, and the Khan Academy. All of these sites allow teachers to share instructional materials to students. Incorporating the Flipped Classroom Model is free; however, some resources may require paid subscriptions, such as BrainPop. 

In an upper elementary classroom, it may be more beneficial to use the traditional model. In 2^ndand 3^rdgrade, I would use the faux flipped model, meaning that the students would explore the instructional materials on their own, but in class/stations. Then, during whole group instruction, we could discuss their learning and dive deeper into the content together.