Inclusion in the flipped classroom

Sara Lambert: The flipped learning process within the classroom is a very inclusive model. It’s more individually centred and it’s changed my position within the classroom so I’m able to tailor my learning a lot more specifically to individual needs. They’re still grouped, but instead of having really fixed group scenarios where we might have traditionally had, the groups change often if we take, say writing for example, five kids might have this writing goal because that’s applicable to their learning this week, and then next week they might be grouped with other people because of something they’ve demonstrated a gap in or an interest in that they want to pursue a little bit further. So I think because of that, it allows me to be very dynamic and moving a lot within the classroom.

Emma Jensen: I have a student with autism in my class and so it helps for him to have a bit more of a visual learning activity or video for him to just think about the next steps for himself. And so it’s quite good, when he does come to work with me, I might reference a video or ask him what his next steps are and he can tell me based on what he’s watched.

Sara Lambert: So any kids that we have that need a little bit of extra care, or need a little bit of extra attention, or need to be set up in a slightly more scaffolded way to begin the learning process, or they need those consistent touch points throughout the learning process to just keep them focused and keep them on track. It just really allows you to do that, enables me to be there for learners in the class, it enables me to move throughout and pick up people who are stuck or need that extra attention.

So the flipped learning model within the class for me, that’s been one of the biggest impacts for being more inclusive. I can move within the class and the video tools still support me and the learners in the way that they’re able to go back and watch the clip as many times as they like. They don’t have to wait for my physical presence to be available to them. So that’s really supported actually at all levels, not just ones who need that little bit of extra, it’s the ones who can be pushed a little bit further or just for whatever day it is you need, or whatever learning you’re covering you need a little bit of an extra push with that, or a reminder about what the focus is.