Flipped classrooms Pros & Cons
Flipped classes or lectures are a new style of teaching focusing on the student rather than the lecturer. It is recommended that the lecturer or teacher chooses the right classes or lectures to flip for effective learning. We’ve pulled together a list of the advantages and disadvantages of flipped lectures or classrooms.
CPS Manufacturing Co offers a range of flipped lecture theatre seating or lecture theatre seating. We offer collaborative bench seating, Inova turn and learn seating and the Studio Evo tablet chair.
Advantages of flipped classrooms/learning
- More one-to-one time with teacher or lecturer
The flipped classroom model provides more time for one-to-one between the lecturer or teacher and students. This means the students have more time to ask questions or ask for help if there are any issues.
- More group work or student collaboration/interaction time
Students have more group work or student collaboration time to cover subject activities, discussions and peer reviewing.
- Self-paced learning
Student learning can be self-paced to help them learn at their own pace and in their own time. This can be particularly effective for slower learners.
- Improved engagement
Students are more engaged with flipped classrooms or lectures as they are researching, completing activities or discussing the subject. With traditional teaching, the teacher would generally be providing all of the information to them.
- Deeper subject understanding
As students are researching and discussing themselves, the students gain a deeper understanding of the subject and related subjects.
- Work accessibility
Homework and work tends to be more accessible with the flipped classroom or lecture model. Teachers have to provide learning materials for the subject making the work provided available over the school, college or university’s intranet system.
- May improve test performance
Some recent studies have shown that flipped classrooms or lectures can improve test performance. The Flipped Learning network completed a survey in 2014 that showed 71% of teachers had seen test score improvements from using a flipped classroom model.
- Transparency for parents
Parents have more access to the learning materials and their performance so far. Parents can help if there are any issues with the student’s understanding.
- Absences aren’t as problematic
A student can catch up on missed lectures or classes using the flipped classroom model. The initial information required for the class will be online and the student can catch up themselves.
- Richer content
Flipped classrooms or lectures encourage richer content. With traditional teaching, the students would be provided with one way of looking at the subject, whereas flipped lectures or classrooms encourage the student to find many different ways of looking at a topic including different diagrams, wording and videos.
- More freedom for teacher
Teachers or lecturers have more freedom to spend with the students they feel need more support or assistance using the flipped classroom method.
Disadvantages of flipped classrooms/learning
- Relies on student preparation
The flipped method does rely on students preparing for their classes ahead of time. If the student is already a social loafer then this method will mean they don’t complete their own work or learn.
- Increased screen time
Due to the nature of the research, activities and discussion required, computers or tablets tend to be used more using the flipped teaching method. This can add to an already high screen time in students.
- May exacerbate digital divide issues
Lack of access to the internet or a home computer can result in a lack of access to the learning materials provided. This may exacerbate digital divide and learning issues already caused by students coming from lower income families.
- Time and effort for teacher
The time and effort required from a teacher’s perspective initially when creating the flipped class material is higher than for a traditional class. However, the material can be re-used the next year.
- May not cover everything required for a test
Students in flipped classes may not cover the entire subject required for a test. The depth of the subject can be dictated by the student themselves or the group the student is working with.
Interested in finding out more? Read our blog on what a flipped classroom is and why they are important.