The world of education is changing. It’s becoming more and more popular for education providers to seek out new and innovative ways of exchanging knowledge.
This is great news for students, as it means their learning experiences are generally becoming richer, more varied and more convenient. This is true for all kinds of students, from children and teenagers to students, graduate students, and adults undergoing professional development courses.
Many educational organisations are seeking to incorporate the flipped classroom model into their teaching practices. This is where students are invited to flip the traditional classroom model on its head. Dexway, the language division of CAE Computer Aided USA Corp, has the perfect portfolio of language blended learning courses to implement this methodology.
In the traditional teaching model, students are expected to use classroom time to take in new knowledge, then are asked to do supporting exercises and activities away from the classroom as homework.
In the flipped classroom model, students do their ‘homework’ before each class. Using a virtual campus via a digital learning platform, students are given the tools to take in new knowledge independently. This may be via a video lecture or by reading a chapter of a book.
The students then use this newly acquired knowledge in the classroom when they are then invited to consolidate and strengthen it as a group by engaging in class discussions, group activities, and solo tasks and exercises; all with their teachers close at hand to help.
Why is flipped classroom model becoming so popular?
As our digital lives become richer and more involved, many educators are beginning to see the true value of face-to-face engagement. Because of this, many educational institutions are keen to ensure that their students are getting the absolute best from classroom time as possible.
The digital learning platforms and learning management systems (LMS) we have to work with now make it easier than ever before for students to have access to high quality learning resources outside the classroom. This gives independent study time a much greater opportunity to be valuable.
Effective Flipped Classroom with Voluxion and the courses of CAE
If your educational institution is exploring the idea of flipped classroom learning model, or if you’re already offering it but want to improve, CAE Computer Aided USA Corp has some ways to ensure you’re using the method effectively.
#1. Invest in a top quality digital learning platform
The learning experience of your students is only going to be as good as your learning management system (LMS). The value of a virtual campus is very much dependent on the available tools and features of the digital learning platform. And that is why, Voluxion digital platforms are the essencial complement for a quality flipped classroom experience.
It’s recommended that you take your time when choosing a learning management system (LMS). Ideally, choose an LMS that does more than you need it to do, like Voluxion that would give you plenty of space for expansion later on.
#2. Encourage community growth on your virtual campus
The most valuable virtual campus provision will have a whole community of its own. A good learning management system (LMS) will offer users plenty of opportunity to communicate. Encourage this as much as possible, whether it’s conversation via message boards, instant chat, email, voice chat or video chat.
A buzzing community on your virtual campus will make it much more likely that students will spend more time engaging with it.
#3. Create superior learning resources
Generally speaking, the better your learning resources, the more effective they are likely to be. This is true for practical reasons: students are more likely to use materials that are easy to access and use. It’s also true for aesthetic reasons: students are likely to be better engaged by attractive resources.
The award-winning Dexway’s language courses offer high-quality content in language learning based on the participation of students in real-life recreational situations, multimedia content and flexible learning at the students’ own pace. Companies and international educational institutions around the world praise the quality of their content.
#4. Offer as much variety in learning materials as possible
Variety is also important here. A good learning management system (LMS) will have the capability to host a wide range of resources including video, text, and images. The more variety of materials available on your virtual campus, the more likely it is that students will remain interested.
#5. Maximise the value of face to face time in the classroom
Of course, the content of your digital learning platform is only half of the process of creating an effective flipped classroom learning experience. It’s also vital to ensure your teaching staff are providing memorable face to face experiences in the classroom.
To do this, make sure everyone is clear on the reason for incorporating this teaching style in the first place! The flipped classroom methodology is about giving students more time for meaningful engagement with their teachers and their peers. Use classroom time for debates, conversations and for offering personalised feedback on progress.
How can your organisation start to improve the flipped classroom experience for your students?
If your organisation is keen to introduce or improve the flipped classroom model experience, the first step is to ensure you have a suitable learning management system (LMS) in place. Here are some of the features you should be looking out for.
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