The level of student engagement is the key to learning outcomes. Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) know first-hand that when students are not interested and committed to the learning material or to their subjects (such as.
BSB training package modules), the results tend to be less favourable than those who are engaged. Therefore, increasing student participation and tending a connection to learning resources is a continuing process that challenges educators.
Flipped Learning can be described as a pedagogical approach that sees the direct instruction from a teacher move through the student learning area to the individual student and their learning space. The classroom is adjusted to be a dynamic, interactive learning environment where the teacher mentors students as they learn concepts and interact with the subject matter in a creative way. The learning segments are closely related to learning and assessment outcomes and during each stage, provide feedback to the learner.
When thoughtfully-designed pre-class activities are used, it allows students to learn key concepts at a pace that is right for them. The outcome of this is an increase in confidence and exercise of key concepts and a greater participation in group discussions during class. Combined with post-class assessment activities which are associated with the pre-class and in-class activities, allows students to apply concepts multiple times making their learning relevant, authentic and worthwhile.
The Student Benefits
There are multiple studies demonstrating how students learn better by doing rather than just listening and the benefits are:
- Increased student engagement: Flipped learning allows students to actively participate in class discussions and activities, rather than simply listening to lectures. This can increase student engagement and interest in the material.
- Greater control over learning: With flipped learning, students have the opportunity to learn at their own pace and review material as many times as they need to understand it. This can be especially helpful for students who struggle with certain concepts or who learn best at a different pace than the rest of the class.
- Improved retention of material: Studies have shown that students who use flipped learning tend to retain more of the material than those who are taught through traditional methods. This may be because they have more opportunities to practice and apply what they have learned in class.
- Greater flexibility: Flipped learning allows students to learn at their own pace, which can be particularly beneficial for students with busy schedules or who have other commitments.
- Improved critical thinking skills: Flipped learning encourages students to think critically about the material and apply it to real-world situations. This can help students develop important problem-solving and analytical skills.
The Training Provider Benefits
Just as there are many studies showing the benefits of flipped learning for students, the same can be said for training providers as well. Some of the positive outcomes are:
- Increased efficiency: Flipped learning allows trainers to spend more time in the classroom on activities and discussions, rather than lecturing. This can make the training more efficient and effective.
- Greater flexibility: Flipped learning allows trainers to use a variety of teaching methods and technologies to deliver the material, which can make the training more engaging and interactive.
- Improved customisation: Flipped learning allows trainers to tailor the training to the specific needs and learning styles of the participants. This can make the training more effective and relevant to the learners.
- Greater scalability: Flipped learning can be delivered through a variety of mediums, such as video lectures or online modules, which makes it easier to scale the training to a larger audience.
- Reduced costs: Flipped learning can be less expensive than traditional training methods, as it does not require trainers to be present for every class. This can save trainers time and money, and allow them to reach more learners.
How RTO Resource Providers Incorporate Flipped Learning
Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) can incorporate flipped learning into their training programs in several ways. This can include the medium of the learning resources such as videos which students can watch before coming to class. This medium is highly effective for student engagement and easy to access with a learning management system. Another method is online resources such as readings, quizzes and interactive activities. These resources can help students prepare for class and the material can be viewed on their own time.
An open discussion forum is another great way that RTOs can facilitate students’ discussions on a subject where students can ask questions, share ideas and engage with each other about the learning material. A final way that RTOs can incorporate flipped learning is by providing support to students during office hours, tutoring sessions, and other types of assistance. This can help ensure that students have the support they need to succeed.
As you can see, flipped learning repositions the role of instructors and students and their affinity for the classroom. Teachers who incorporate this learning methodology will see an improvement in student engagement and learning outcomes.