The implementation of new technologies and the internet is yielding excellent results for language learning. Together with innovative methodologies, they are capable of increasing student performance by providing tools that allow a more personalized and ubiquitous education (like Flipped Classroom or Station Rotation Lab).
Blended learning consists of a blended teaching experience where studying takes place inside and outside the classroom and digital media are used as a support for the student. This enables more flexibility than traditional methods, as well as more student involvement (active participation).
There are different configurations of blended learning that work better in some scenarios than others. The most common are Flipped Classroom and Station Rotation Labs. Which of these two methods best suits your educational center? Although they both share many advantages, it is important to learn about both options so you can make an informed decision.
What is Flipped Classroom and why is it so popular?
It is, possibly, the most popular blended method today. More and more language courses using this method are being offered at language centers, companies, schools and universities. A Flipped Classroom moves learning lessons out of the classroom so that time spent with the teacher is utilized for hands-on and engaging activities, as well as for answering questions.
The classic model consists of students going to class to listen to the teacher lecture and explain new concepts, then at home they practice what they have learned by doing homework. This means that during the practical application, which is when most questions arise, students are alone.
With the flipped classroom model, students study the lessons on their own before class and then during class, they practice the concepts with the teacher’s help, whose role is to encourage learning and guide the students. This allows students to study at their own pace, without getting lost in the teacher’s explanation, and to get their questions answered right when they’re trying to apply the new concepts during practical exercises.
With solutions such as Dexway, this personal study is supported by fully interactive digital content developed for an immersive, natural and progressive study that will keep students motivated.
Many companies and schools have made this a base model for their classes due to its flexibility in forming groups. Dexway solutions with Flipped Classrooms put an end to rigid schedules and allow the students themselves to set the pace of their studies while taking conversation classes, which makes it less demanding scheduling- and travel-wise.
Why should you use a Flipped Classroom?
#1 Each student studies the lesson at their own pace, without the fear of getting lost during the teacher’s explanation.
#2 Online access to lessons and exercises, allowing students to study anytime and anywhere.
#3 More hands-on and engaging classes.
#4 Makes it easier to create groups in private environments such as schools or companies, thus optimizing resources.
What is a Station Rotation Lab and why does it succeed in the education sector?
The Station Rotation Lab learning model allows you to rotate through different types of classrooms, both offline and online: classes with a teacher, learning in computer classrooms, one-on-one or collaborative activities, etc. It is an itinerant system in which teachers direct and coordinate sessions with the goal that students will practice the four essential language skills (reading, speaking, listening, writing) through different activities.
In a Station Rotation Lab, students can learn languages through a total language immersion. Through the networked classroom or language lab, students will learn progressively and naturally and do so in a fun and entertaining way, taking advantage of technology.
Dexway’s networked classrooms do not need an internet connection, so they can provide a controlled study environment for students while the teacher leads the class.
It triumphs in the education sector because it allows teachers to monitor their students’ performance as a group and individually. In this way, teachers have the ability to watch over their students’ progress and are provided with the necessary tools to offer them a fully interactive education.
Why use a Station Rotation Lab?
#1 Students learn while having fun rotating in a language lab for different activities while being supervised by a teacher.
#2 The center’s facilities are used to their full potential.
#3 It gives students access to digital media so they can study without needing a device or internet at home.
Both models, Flipped Classroom and Station Rotation Lab, facilitate a progressive and meaningful education and optimize classroom time with effective solutions such as those presented by Dexway, the method that really works to learn languages. In fact, some models are compatible and can be combined for a much more pleasant study.
If the content is truly interactive, then learning can be comprehensive, effective and fun. Dexway’s materials are 100% interactive and encompass all the material from 0 to 100, without any gaps. Take advantage of our experience in the e-learning sector and apply the model that best suits teachers and students in your center.
You may also like:
- 5 Advantages of Using a Cloud-Based LMS for Your Language Courses
- Active and Interactive Teaching with Flipped Classroom
- 4 Reasons Why the Flipped Classroom Method Really Works