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The 21st century has allowed, for conceivably the first time in human history, the ability for diverse nations and cultures to communicate synchronously and cohesively on subjects of education, technology, and culture. This process has the potential to raise many questions about how these three subjects interact. One important question is how specific contexts of specific cultures can impact theories and practices in educational pedagogy. This is especially true of pedagogical approaches that are available, perhaps, across the globe but may not be so easily adaptable. One specific approach, for example, is flipped learning. This model - which has its origins in the United States (Bergmann & Sams, 2009; Lage, Platt & Treglia, 2000; Mazur, 1997) - can be utilized globally if there is available technology or school structures to support it. However, can it be utilized regardless of different cultural perspectives?
This paper argues that the flipped learning approach is an effective method of instruction that, with the appropriate infrastructure, can be successfully utilized in various cultural contexts. A thorough review of the current literature pertaining to the Western (as evidenced by the United States) and Eastern (including literature from six Asian nations) adaptations of this model was conducted to seek commonalities and differences in approaches. Within the larger umbrella of Eastern/Asian identification, are there individual variations within this larger, complex structure that align to Western approaches? Following this review, the perspective gained will be used to understand the adaptability of flipped learning between different cultures and to address future research within this growing field.
Flipped Learning
Flipped learning, also known as the “inverted” classroom, is a pedagogical model in which teacher-centered content (i.e. direct instruction) is recorded - or pre-existing materials are curated through sources like Khan Academy (Khan, 2012) - and delivered outside of the classroom, typically online (Bergmann & Sams, 2009). This allows for class time to be spent actively applying the lecture content through exercises, discussion, or projects. Essentially, the traditional class content and homework are flipped, allowing students to demonstrate their understanding and teachers to more actively monitor student comprehension and misconceptions all in the classroom. This creates a unique dynamic in which the teacher’s role shifts from “the sage on the stage” to instead a “guide on the side”, a shift that some flipped learning proponents see as an essential reversal in roles (Baker, 2000; Siegle, 2014).
There are some challenges that are associated with this model, particularly with the digital divide and increased teacher preparation (Bergmann & Sams, 2009). The application of flipped learning may also encounter issues in settings that lack student independence, or emphasize in-class content acquisition for high-stakes testing. In either situation, emphasizing the instructor’s dominating presence is contrary to flipped integration. However, flipped learning can be approached in several different ways to anticipate these issues. Some instructors choose to flip a single unit or subject, allowing instructors to prioritize learning goals (Ash, 2012) while others flip their entire schools to increase efficacy of student access through institution-sponsored programs (Green, 2013). Monitoring of student capabilities and curricular goals is crucial. No matter how the model is delivered, the underlying goal of the flipped learning process is that the teacher-centered lesson content is presented out of class, allowing for active application in-class (Bergmann & Sams, 2009; Lage, Platt, & Treglia, 2000).