TL;DR
A flipped classroom moves theory outside class time, so sessions focus on practical application. Learners study videos, readings, or other materials before class. RTOs and workplace trainers use the approach to build practical skills and verify competency.
- Five models suit different balances of theory and practice, from standard flipping to full hybrid flipping.
- Flipped learning changes when theory is taught. Blended learning changes how training is delivered.
- Clear learning objectives guide model choice. RTOs map them to performance criteria, and workplaces map them to job roles.
- In-class time lets assessors observe competency and correct technique before habits form.
Maximising learner engagement is crucial in modern education. The more engaged learners are with training materials, the better their knowledge retention, and the easier they’ll find it to transfer learning into practical applications.
However, helping learners engage with training content in a traditional classroom environment is a challenge for educators. The standard teaching methods of instruction and lectures are not as effective as collaborative and social learning opportunities. This has resulted in many training providers and companies embracing a flipped-classroom approach to learning.
In this article, we look at:
- What flipped learning is
- Why flipped learning is growing in popularity
- The benefits flipped learning holds for educators
- Examples of flipped classroom models that you can adopt
- Steps to make the approach effective for your training needs
What is a Flipped Classroom?
A flipped classroom is a modern pedagogical approach in which educators provide theoretical learning materials like videos, presentations, and readings for learners to study before class. Class time is then dedicated to discussions, interactive activities, and practical applications of the concepts.
It’s referred to as a flipped classroom or flipped learning because it reverses the traditional training approach. In a traditional classroom setting, educators spend class time explaining concepts and theories, while practical tasks are assigned as homework.
Flipped Learning vs. Blended Learning
Flipped learning and blended learning are often considered similar, but they are fundamentally different pedagogical approaches.
Flipped learning is a model where students learn the basics outside of class and then use class time for hands-on activities like discussions and problem-solving.
Blended learning is a delivery method that integrates online and in-person training. For example, it might involve conducting online assessments through interactive quizzes, gamified content, webinars, or online discussion forums to encourage social and collaborative learning.
While flipped learning and blended learning can be used simultaneously, they are not required to be used together. Blended learning can support more traditional approaches, where in-person sessions focus on lectures and theory, and online resources supplement or reinforce the content. Flipped classrooms also don’t have to involve online learning. Reading textbooks to gain the majority of information, for example, would still be a form of flipped learning.
Why is the Flipped Classroom Growing in Popularity?
Learning and development trends have shifted significantly in recent years.
The rise of remote learning, accelerated by the COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020, continues to shape education. Teachers are leveraging technology in innovative ways to deliver training that is both engaging and accessible. This boosts learner engagement in physical classroom settings and extends learning opportunities to those in remote or underserved areas.
Remote Learning Doesn’t Always Work.
Watch our webinar to learn why and how to avoid failure.There is also a growing focus on personalised learning, as educators aim to accommodate participants with diverse learning needs, experiences, and knowledge levels. Flipped learning fosters deeper understanding by encouraging learners to engage with materials in meaningful ways and share their perspectives. This collaborative learning approach enhances knowledge retention for all participants.
Benefits of a Flipped Classroom Approach
Self-Paced Learning
The flipped classroom empowers participants to take ownership of their learning in ways traditional methods cannot. Providing materials upfront allows learners to engage with content at their convenience.
This approach accommodates individual learning speeds, reducing pressure for those who may feel overwhelmed or need extra time to grasp concepts. It also benefits advanced learners, enabling them to review familiar topics without becoming disengaged.
This flexibility is particularly beneficial in corporate training, where learning must integrate seamlessly with daily tasks and responsibilities.
Improved Engagement
The flipped classroom helps boost engagement with training materials by promoting active learning. This encourages participation in discussions, problem-solving, and group activities, making the learning process more interactive.
Using dynamic teaching strategies, educators can connect with learners on a deeper level, making lessons both interesting and relevant. This approach accommodates diverse training methods, meeting various types of learning styles and preferences.
Deeper Understanding of Content
Practical exercises and discussions enable learners to engage with concepts in more meaningful ways. Rather than merely acquiring a superficial understanding of theories, this hands-on approach demonstrates how learners can apply concepts to real-world scenarios.
Collaborative discussions and problem-solving sessions further enhance understanding by allowing participants to clarify doubts, explore diverse perspectives, and solidify their grasp of the material. This deepens comprehension and improves knowledge retention and transfer of learning.
Collaborative Learning
Flipped classrooms foster an inclusive environment where learners work together to solve problems, complete projects, and discuss ideas. This approach enhances essential power skills, like communication, collaboration and teamwork, while developing emotional intelligence by fostering empathy and helping learners understand their own emotions.
These interpersonal and critical thinking skills are invaluable in academic and professional settings, equipping learners with abilities that benefit them throughout their lives.
Better Support
Flipped learning helps educators identify problem areas more effectively than traditional training methods. Observing learners during discussions and practical exercises helps educators spot gaps in knowledge and address them directly.
This approach also allows learners to ask questions and receive real-time feedback on their specific challenges. Personalised support ensures that struggling learners get the help they need, while advanced learners can solidify their understanding and continue progressing.
Improved Learning Outcomes
The combined benefits of a flipped classroom contribute to learners excelling in their training. This leads to improved performance, higher test scores, and fosters long-term skill development.
Participants also gain confidence in their knowledge, helping them apply what they’ve learned to find innovative solutions, think critically, and solve problems effectively. These skills can boost their career trajectory, seeing them thrive and lead fulfilling lives in their chosen professions.
Did You Know? A 2020 University of Adelaide meta-analysis reviewed 198 studies covering 33,678 students. Flipped classrooms had a moderate positive effect on learner performance across every discipline studied.
5 Flipped Classroom Models
Despite its many benefits, a flipped approach doesn’t work in every scenario. Different models can be leveraged to enhance training and meet specific needs and objectives.
| Model | Pre-Class Delivery | In-Class Activities | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Flipping | All theory content | Discussions, group work, and practical tasks | Training with a strong practical component |
| One Day a Week | Materials for the flipped day only | Traditional sessions, plus one practical day | Theory-heavy courses or first trials |
| Selected Content Flipping | Foundational concepts and terminology | Trainer-led instruction on complex topics | Content that needs expert explanation |
| Flipping Without Video Content | Readings, podcasts, and workplace documents | Practical tasks and discussion | Sites with limited connectivity or video resources |
| Full Hybrid Flipping | All theory, delivered online | Virtual group work and live video sessions | Remote learners and dispersed workforces |
Standard Flipping
Standard flipping involves providing learners with all theoretical training materials beforehand, typically through lecture videos and presentations. Class time focuses on interactive activities, discussions, and exercises to deepen understanding. This approach works well when training has a strong practical component.
Example: A Registered Training Organisation (RTO) delivers a Certificate III in Individual Support. Learners watch infection control videos before class. In class, they practise hand hygiene and personal protective equipment (PPE) use. The assessor then conducts a practical observation against a checklist.
One Day a Week
Ideal for experimenting with flipped learning or when theory remains critical, a one-day-a-week flipped model combines traditional training methods with one designated day for hands-on activities. Learners only complete pre-class materials ahead of the flipped day.
Example: A trainee completes a construction qualification alongside on-the-job work. Most sessions follow a traditional format, covering theory and legislation. Before the flipped day, learners review their logbook requirements and task lists. The flipped day then focuses on logbook preparation. Trainers help learners map workplace tasks to the unit’s performance evidence. Learners leave knowing which tasks still need recording and sign-off.
Selected Content Flipping
Instead of flipping all theoretical content, a selected content flipping approach covers foundational concepts through pre-class materials while reserving advanced or complex topics for in-class lectures. This works well when topics benefit from having subject matter experts provide in-depth explanations.
Example: Learners in a work health and safety (WHS) unit read legislation basics beforehand. They also learn key terms, like hazard, risk, and duty of care. Class time covers the hierarchy of controls through trainer-led instruction. Learners then apply the hierarchy to real hazards from their own workplaces.
Flipping Without Video Content
While videos are a popular tool for delivering flipped learning content, they are not the only option. Interactive presentations, podcasts, reading materials, or curated additional resources like YouTube videos can supplement or replace traditional video lectures. Text and audio materials also suit sites with limited connectivity.
Example: A mining company runs Verification of Competency (VoC) assessments. Workers review standard operating procedures (SOPs) and job safety analyses beforehand. Printed and low-resolution digital copies work well on sites with poor internet access. During the session, the assessor observes each worker performing the task. Discussion then covers any gaps between the SOP and on-site practice.
Full Hybrid Flipping
A full hybrid flipped model shifts the entire training process online. Learners replace class time with pre-recorded lectures and digital materials, while interactive activities are conducted in virtual environments through online group work and discussion forums. This suits remote learners and dispersed workforces.
Example: A rail operator trains maintenance crews across a regional network. Crews study theory online and record practical tasks in a digital logbook. Supervisors verify logbook entries through third-party reports. Crews also submit video evidence of tasks for the assessor to review. The assessor still makes the final competency judgement.
10 Steps to Make Flipped Classrooms Work
1. Define Learning Objectives
Set learning objectives for the full course and each lesson. RTOs can map these objectives to each unit’s performance criteria. Workplace trainers can map them to job role requirements or site procedures.
Clear objectives will help you choose the right flipped learning model while also clarifying the training metrics that will indicate success.
2. Choose the Right Flipped Classroom Model
Match the model to the balance of theory and practice in your content.
For example, if you are teaching a complex topic that is mostly theory-based, with little room for practical activities, a one-day-a-week or selected content-flipping approach may be best.
If the focus is on skill development, a standard flipping or hybrid flipping approach may be well-suited to your goals.
3. Prepare Learning Materials
Create or curate pre-class materials that cover the required theory. Pre-record lectures and design interactive presentations and courses.
You don’t need to create every resource yourself. Sharing relevant videos, podcasts and reading materials can help participants gain a more thorough understanding of concepts.
4. Use Technology
Set up tools to deliver pre-class content and track learner progress.
- LMS. The right learning management system (LMS) provides a platform for creating and delivering engaging and interactive content. It will also help you track learner progress, making it easy to identify areas where learners are struggling and may need additional support.
- Virtual Learning Environments. These are accessible digital spaces that accommodate learning. A virtual learning environment (VLE) often stores training content and provides features like discussion boards and video-calling integrations to support collaborative and social learning.
- Assessment tools. Digital assessment tools allow educators to create interactive quizzes and evaluations. These can include formative and summative assessments that can help you guide the training process and measure results and understanding.
- Student Management Tools. Mostly used in educational settings, rather than workplace training, a student management system (SMS) helps you manage enrolments, calendars, AVETMISS-compliant reporting and certifications. This streamlines administrative processes and can be useful for balancing in-class activities with eLearning courses.
- All-in-One Platforms. Solutions like Cloud Assess are adaptable all-in-one solutions providing VLEs that leverage LMS features alongside assessment tools and SMS features. The best platforms will also integrate with other technologies, so you can keep data consistent across your systems.
5. Set Clear Expectations
Explain the purpose of the flipped approach to learners and supervisors. This explanation will help you get buy-in from all stakeholders.
Emphasise the importance of learners completing courses and leveraging training materials outside of class time. Encourage regular review and revision of content to ensure a thorough understanding before participating in active learning activities.
6. Design Interactive In-Class Activities
Prepare active learning and hands-on exercises well in advance. Put together discussion topics and group activities that will support the digital content you’ve created. Plan practical tasks that let assessors observe each learner’s competency.
Did You Know? It’s still important to keep in-class time at its usual length. A 2019 meta-analysis of 114 studies found learners achieved more when face-to-face time wasn’t reduced.
7. Encourage Active Participation
Incorporate upcoming activities into your pre-class materials. This will ensure learners arrive for class prepared with insights and questions. Preparing input before will also help learners who may be shy or awkward in social settings to develop the confidence to participate.
8. Offer Support and Guidance
Guide learners through in-class activities with prompts and targeted feedback. Move between groups during practical tasks to correct technique early. Use leading questions to encourage discussion and clear up confusion about the theory. In workplace sessions, invite experienced workers to share how tasks run on site.
9. Carefully Monitor Progress
Add short assessments at the start or end of each lesson to check understanding. Track pre-class completion so you know who arrives prepared. Interactive quizzes and post-activity reflections help you identify learners who need extra support. For practical skills, record observations against a checklist to build an evidence trail.
10. Use Feedback to Evaluate and Adjust
Gather learner feedback and run regular training evaluations. These measure the success of training initiatives and are especially important when implementing a new teaching method like flipped learning.
Use the insights you gather to refine your processes and adjust activities and strategies to improve engagement and learning outcomes.
Start Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Your Training.
Our training evaluation form is the tool you need.Flipped Learning for Vocational Education & Workplace Learning
Flipped classrooms offer a transformative approach to vocational and workplace training by combining flexibility, engagement, and active learning. Shifting theoretical content outside classroom time helps learners take control of their education, preparing at their own pace and arriving ready to apply their knowledge. This enhances knowledge retention and skill development and fosters collaboration, critical thinking, and practical problem-solving.
Flipped learning works best when pre-class and in-class training sit on one platform. RTOs and workplace trainers can run a full flipped classroom in Cloud Assess. Learners complete pre-class courses and videos on the mobile app, even offline. In class, trainers record practical observations and logbook entries as evidence. Explore Cloud Assess’ features to plan your own flipped delivery.
Workforce Skills
Workforce Skills gives you a live view of every skill, every gap and every expiry across your workforce. Automate training assignment or manually enrol. Purpose built for frontline workers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Cloud Assess FAQs
Who created the flipped classroom?
Jonathan Bergmann and Aaron Sams popularised the flipped classroom in 2007. Both were chemistry teachers at Woodland Park High School in Colorado. They began recording lectures for students who missed class. They then found class time worked better for hands-on help than lecturing. Their 2012 book, Flip Your Classroom, spread the model widely.
What happens if learners don’t complete the pre-class work?
Learners who skip pre-class work arrive without the theory that in-class activities build on. A short knowledge check at the start of each session shows trainers who isn’t ready. Those learners can review key materials before joining practical tasks. Setting pre-class completion as a prerequisite in your LMS also reinforces expectations. In workplace training, scheduling pre-class learning within work hours improves completion.
How long should pre-class videos be?
Pre-class videos work best at six minutes or less. A 2014 study of edX courses found learners rarely watched beyond six minutes, whatever the video’s length. Break longer topics into a series of short videos, each covering one concept. Short videos also suit workers learning on mobile devices between shifts.
Can flipped learning be used for site inductions?
Flipped learning works for learners with low literacy or digital skills when materials suit their needs. Short videos with captions, images, and plain language reduce reliance on written text. A quick device walkthrough in the first session helps learners access content confidently. RTOs can use language, literacy, numeracy, and digital (LLND) assessment results to plan support. Workplaces can offer printed materials or shared devices on site.
Does flipped learning work for learners with low literacy or digital skills?
Yes. Site inductions suit a flipped approach well. Workers complete general content online before arriving, such as site rules and emergency procedures. On-site induction time then covers site walkthroughs, hazard spotting, and practical demonstrations. Pre-arrival learning shortens first-day sessions and frees up supervisors’ time. Supervisors can confirm understanding with a short check before work begins.
