Flipped learning: the advantages and disadvantages

What is flipped learning?

Flipped learning is an educational approach where instruction or lectures occur in an individual learning space (such as at home) rather than in a group setting (like a classroom). In this method, participants first learn the concepts independently, typically through online courses or recorded lectures. Since this learning content is accessible online, they can study from various locations, including the office, home, or even while commuting. Following this independent study, participants practice and apply what they’ve learned in face-to-face sessions with their colleagues and instructors.

Now that you have a clearer understanding of flipped learning, let's discuss its advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages of flipped learning

Flexibility

Limited time is a common obstacle that employees face when participating in ongoing training. However, flipped learning addresses this challenge by eliminating the need for lengthy, in-person lectures. Instead, online courses serve as the primary source of information for learners. These online courses require considerably less time than traditional face-to-face learning, as they can be easily integrated into busy schedules and accessed from anywhere at any time. This flexibility makes it the preferred learning style for many employees.

Personalized

Flipped learning can help your organization’s continuous education program get off the ground by giving your employees the power to spend time where they need it most. In an in-person lecture, employees have to move at the same speed as everyone else and can’t pick and choose what to focus on. When you consider that the average employee only has 24 minutes a week to spend on training, it is especially important to maximize that time. Flipped learning allows them to learn on their own, giving them the chance to spend their time on things that they don’t understand, and speed through things they are a pro at.

Encourages active learning

Flipped learning places employees in control of their learning. It becomes their responsibility to acquire the knowledge they need

Flipped learning encourages employees to take an active role in their education. In traditional settings, the trainer is responsible for deciding what information to share and ensuring that it is understood. This can lead to disengagement during lectures. Flipped learning places employees in control of their learning. It becomes their responsibility to acquire the knowledge they need. Transitioning content from lectures to online courses offers greater convenience, while also enabling learners to take more effective notes and stay more focused during learning.

Promotes practical-based learning

Flipped learning uses the contact time with instructors and peers to apply what they learned practically. Theoretical knowledge refers to facts, theories, and reasoning. But practical knowledge is based on hands-on endeavors and tasks. Flipped learning means they get to use this practice time to work on these practical skills rather than sitting in a lecture. For example, someone would teach themselves the knowledge-based side of football, like its history and the game's rules, on their own. But then, they would spend time with their coach and team actually practicing the sport! Therefore, flipped learning ensures that what they learn is applied in their day-to-day work.

Reduces costs

Passing on knowledge through in-person training is more costly than through flipped learning. In-person training has the additional costs of hiring an external trainer, travel expenses for the trainer and employees (if they are commuting from different locations), non-worked hours, and a location to host it. With flipped learning, employees do the bulk of the work on their own, so all of these costs are greatly reduced!

Disadvantages of flipped learning

Requires greater levels of self-discipline

The learner-focused nature of flipped learning can be a downside for employees who struggle with self-discipline. The employee must be motivated to engage with the learning content and put in the time they need to learn. It is not enough to attend a lecture and passively absorb what a lecturer shares. More employees might struggle with this than you think. In an employee survey, 41% indicated that their levels of self-motivation were a barrier to participating in online learning.

Reliance on technology

With flipped learning, employees get most of their information from learning content, which is often stored online, rather than from an instructor. There are a lot of benefits to hosting material online. Read more in our article about the advantages and disadvantages of online learning. Yet, some people might struggle to use technology. 26% of adults worldwide were found to be computer illiterate in 2016. Other times, employees do not have the appropriate setup for online learning. If they do not have convenient access to electronic devices, working speakers, or a reliable internet connection, it will be difficult for them to participate.

Resistance to change

Although flipped learning ultimately saves both the instructor and employees time, setting up your first flipped course will require more time and energy than continuing with the status quo. Instructors have to introduce the employees to an entirely new concept. And the employees will need time to adjust and embrace the move from a passive learning style to an active learning style.

Flip your employee training with Easy LMS

Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages? If your employees are tech-savvy, adaptable, and motivated, then our answer is an enthusiastic yes. Adding flipped learning to any employee training program maximizes the precious time your employees can devote to training, puts them in control, and helps them transfer their knowledge into practice.

Easy LMS is well-suited to implementing flipped learning in your organization. With Easy LMS, you can put all of your learning content online with effective training courses and challenging exams. Our tracking tools will let you keep an eye on their progress. Within the academy, your employee can see everything available to them and keep track of their own progress.

Useful resources

• Athabasca University 

• Harvard University 

• Nielsen & Norman Group