A MOOC-based Flipped Classroom Model: Reflecting on pre-service English language teachers’ experience and perceptions

Abstract

The flipped classroom (FC) model has recently gained an increasing interest in higher education. Similarly, Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) have attracted international attention in the literature. However, a review of previous studies suggests that although a MOOC-based FC model have often been advocated in theory, it has consistently been disregarded in practice. Therefore, the main significance of this study lies in its implementation of a MOOC-based FC model in an English Language Teaching (ELT) program for pre-service English language teachers for the first time in a Turkish context, and possibly in the literature. Moreover, the study explores their perceptions of a MOOC-based FC model and its effects on their academic achievement. In this regard, the study provides an exciting opportunity to advance our knowledge of the MOOC-based FC model in teacher education, especially in the field of ELT. The study took place at a state university in Turkey with 27 pre-service English language teachers in the 2019-2020 academic year. The methodological approach adopted in this study was a mixed-methods research design, benefiting from both quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques. It followed a pre-experimental research design, involving the One-Group Pre-test - Post-test Design. A four-week intervention of MOOC-based FC implementation took place between the pre-test and the post-test. Taking the findings of this study into account, some stakeholders, e.g., educators, teacher trainers, policymakers, administrators, other professionals might consider integrating a MOOC-based FC model into their traditional classroom settings or creating a blended course that incorporates a MOOC into their existing face-to-face programs.