title: Improvements from a flipped classroom may simply be the fruits of active learning.
abstract: The "flipped classroom" is a learning model in which content attainment is shifted forward to outside of class, then followed by instructor-facilitated concept application activities in class. Current studies on the flipped model are limited. Our goal was to provide quantitative and controlled data about the effectiveness of this model. Using a quasi-experimental design, we compared an active nonflipped classroom with an active flipped classroom, both using the 5-E learning cycle, in an effort to vary only the role of the instructor and control for as many of the other potentially influential variables as possible. Results showed that both low-level and deep conceptual learning were equivalent between the conditions. Attitudinal data revealed equal student satisfaction with the course. Interestingly, both treatments ranked their contact time with the instructor as more influential to their learning than what they did at home. We conclude that the flipped classroom does not result in higher learning gains or better attitudes compared with the nonflipped classroom when both utilize an active-learning, constructivist approach and propose that learning gains in either condition are most likely a result of the active-learning style of instruction rather than the order in which the instructor participated in the learning process.
authors.affiliation: *Department of Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602; jamie.jensen@byu.edu.
authors.forename: Jamie L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.affiliation: *Department of Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602;
authors.forename: Tyler A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Kummer
authors.affiliation: Health School, Universidade Potiguar, Lagoa Nova-Natal, Rio Grande do Norte 59056-000, Brazil.
authors.forename: Patricia D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: d M Godoy
mesh_terms: D001695:Biology / Q000193:education*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003479:Curriculum; D004493:Education / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D017145:Models, Educational; D018794:Problem-Based Learning; D012107:Research Design; D012923:Social Class; D013334:Students; D014495:Universities