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Whether you are a student or an instructor, one thing is indisputable-the traditional classroom is changing. That is, teaching and learning are no longer relegated to only the traditional classroom bound by four walls within an academic institution. Advances in instructional technology and innovative teaching pedagogy have expanded learning to an anytime-anywhere reality. This new classroom has implications for how instructors lead and/or how students are led throughout the learning process in both academic and professional training courses.
For the sake of this discussion, consider one popular approach to instructional delivery that is used frequently today-the "flipped classroom." This model typically hosts lectures through online recorded lessons that students/training participants can view online at their convenience prior to coming to class. Then, face-to-face class time is reserved for hands-on learning experiences where students apply concepts discussed in their online lessons, ask questions, and obtain feedback from the instructor and their peers about their work. Some have suggested that the flipped classroom approach marries the best of both worlds-the opportunity for real-time (e.g., formative) feedback often found in a traditional classroom setting along with the flexibility of an online learning environment.
From the instructor's perspective, this new approach to teaching requires more up-front planning. It also perhaps necessitates a different approach to interacting with students/training participants face to face compared to a traditional course. This approach, however, also provides several benefits including keeping the classroom experience fresh and exciting for the instructor, which is often a challenge for those who have taught the same subject matter for many years.
Leading a flipped classroom takes instructors who are willing to divide course...