Flipped Classroom: Active Methodology for Sustainable Learning in Higher Education during Social Distancing Due to COVID-19

Joshua Collado-Valero,Gemma Rodríguez-Infante,Marta Romero-González,Rocío Lavigne-Cerván,Ignasi Navarro-Soria,Sara Gamboa-Ternero

doi:10.3390/su13105336

Joshua Collado-Valero, Gemma Rodríguez-Infante + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/su13105336

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Journal: Sustainability	Publication Date: May 11, 2021
Citations: 35	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Universidad de Málaga

Abstract

Methodological guidelines for virtual teaching during the lockdown, tailored to Flipped Classroom, are suggested by the Spanish University Education System. This educational methodology is recommended as an effective method for distance learning due to COVID-19 by several articles, studies, research, universities and institutions in different countries around the world. However, what is the impact of these extreme circumstances on the implementation of Flipped Classroom in Higher Education? The study design is a descriptive and correlational research that compares the frequency of the implementation of Flipped Classroom before and during social distancing. This information is provided by the participants, university professors from the Faculty of Education Sciences of the University of Malaga, through an ad hoc questionnaire. The results reveal a significant increase in the frequency of Flipped Classroom sessions (z = −4.80; p <.001) during the lockdown. The data also show a significant increase in the quantity and variety of didactic resources (t = −2.390; p = 0.021), mainly those related to Flipped Classroom, with video (z = −2.860, p = 0.004) and audio (z = −2.049, p = 0.040) files. University professors consider virtual teaching during the lockdown an opportunity for Flipped Classroom and digital skills that could improve the quality of university educational methodology.

Highlights

On 13 January 2020, the first case of COVID-19 was diagnosed outside China [1].Weeks later, on 31 January 2020, the first case of COVID-19 was diagnosed in Spain [2].On 27 February 2020, the University of Malaga sends a communication related to the new coronavirus species and, on 9 March 2020, it reports the first case [3]
The methodological guidelines for virtual teaching during social distancing tailored to Flipped Classroom, the increase in internet searches and scientific articles on this educational methodology during the lockdown, as well as the various statements of the educational experts, induce to deduce an increase of Flipped Classroom implementation related to COVID-19 pandemic. These speculations open a gap that needs to be filled with solid data obtained through statistical analysis and research method. All this information inspires the following research question: What is really the impact of COVID-19, the state of alarm and social distancing on the implementation of the university educational methodology known as Flipped Classroom? there are derivative questions: Has the frequency of Flipped Classroom sessions increased during the lockdown? has the presence of didactic resources typical of this educational methodology increased during the lockdown? In this case, what would be the origin of these methodological modifications? Why would teaching professionals have increased the frequency of Flipped
The primary objective of the study is to analyse the impact of COVID-19, the state of alarm and social distancing on the implementation of the university educational methodology known as Flipped Classroom

Summary

Introduction

On 13 January 2020, the first case of COVID-19 was diagnosed outside China [1].Weeks later, on 31 January 2020, the first case of COVID-19 was diagnosed in Spain [2].On 27 February 2020, the University of Malaga sends a communication related to the new coronavirus species and, on 9 March 2020, it reports the first case [3]. On 13 January 2020, the first case of COVID-19 was diagnosed outside China [1]. On 31 January 2020, the first case of COVID-19 was diagnosed in Spain [2]. On 27 February 2020, the University of Malaga sends a communication related to the new coronavirus species and, on 9 March 2020, it reports the first case [3]. Face-to-face teaching is no longer a possible alternative and distance learning becomes the only option. On 12 March 2020, the provisional suspension of face-to-face teaching is announced [3], university students will not return to their educational centres until the end of the academic year.

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