How can you ensure all students benefit from a flipped classroom, including those with disabilities?

A flipped classroom is a teaching method that reverses the traditional order of instruction. Instead of lecturing in class and assigning homework, you provide students with pre-recorded videos, readings, or other materials to study at home. Then, you use class time for active learning, such as discussions, problem-solving, or projects. This way, you can personalize your instruction, increase student engagement, and foster collaboration. However, a flipped classroom also poses some challenges, especially for students with disabilities. How can you ensure that all students benefit from this innovative approach? Here are some tips to help you design and implement a flipped classroom that is accessible, inclusive, and effective.

1 Choose appropriate materials

The first step to create a flipped classroom is to select or create the materials that your students will use at home. These materials should match your learning objectives, align with your curriculum standards, and suit your students' needs and preferences. To ensure accessibility, you should follow the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), which are based on providing multiple means of representation, expression, and engagement. This means that you should offer different formats, such as text, audio, video, or graphics, and use captions, transcripts, and subtitles for auditory or visual content. You should also provide options for students to adjust the speed, volume, or size of the materials, and use clear language, examples, and feedback.

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Conan Magruder

I help teachers go where they're appreciated / Turn curriculum and practice for schools into skills as Consultant and Vice Principal / AP History and Psychology Teacher and Tutor
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Obviously you need to begin with the end in mind but you need to consider lessons from online media about what you share. We train focus in learners and we are in a constant battle for attention. They should be able to access what we give them and it should reward them for their efforts.

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2 Prepare your students

Before you flip your classroom, you need to prepare your students for this change. You should explain the benefits and expectations of the flipped model, and how it will help them learn more effectively. You should also teach them how to use the materials and tools that you will provide, and how to manage their time and self-regulate their learning. To support students with disabilities, you should offer scaffolding strategies, such as guides, checklists, or rubrics, and monitor their progress and performance. You should also encourage them to communicate with you and their peers, and provide them with feedback and reinforcement.

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Conan Magruder

I help teachers go where they're appreciated / Turn curriculum and practice for schools into skills as Consultant and Vice Principal / AP History and Psychology Teacher and Tutor
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If you don't get the appropriate lead time in a classroom flip you should take the time to teach this even if you're forced to go online due to events. It's better for students to understand the system than to worry if you're too far behind for future tasks/assessments.

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3 Plan engaging activities

The most important part of a flipped classroom is what you do in class. You should plan activities that are relevant, meaningful, and engaging for your students. These activities should build on the materials that they studied at home, and allow them to apply, analyze, or create something new. You should also use different types of activities, such as discussions, debates, simulations, games, or projects, and vary the level of difficulty and complexity. To accommodate students with disabilities, you should differentiate your instruction, and provide them with choices, flexibility, and modifications. You should also create a safe and supportive learning environment, where students can collaborate, interact, and share their ideas.

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Conan Magruder

I help teachers go where they're appreciated / Turn curriculum and practice for schools into skills as Consultant and Vice Principal / AP History and Psychology Teacher and Tutor
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How long should these activities take? Should they connect students with each other? With their families? Sometimes a flipped setting allows greater opportunities for students that might have physical differences in a traditional class setting.

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4 Evaluate your outcomes

The final step to ensure a successful flipped classroom is to evaluate your outcomes. You should assess your students' learning, satisfaction, and engagement, and use the data to improve your practice. You should also reflect on your own teaching, and identify what worked well and what needs improvement. To include students with disabilities in your evaluation, you should use multiple and diverse methods of assessment, such as quizzes, portfolios, or presentations, and align them with your learning objectives and UDL principles. You should also solicit feedback from your students, and involve them in the assessment process.

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5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Chinaza Ironsi

Assistant Professor of English Language Education at University of Mediterranean Karpasia
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First, it is necessary to consider implementing universal design learning principles for such instructional delivery model. So, the instructors should consider creating instructional materials and activities that are flexible and accessible to a diverse range of learners, including those with different abilities. Like earlier emphasized, providing learning resources in multiple formats will help in this regard. Instructional developers can ensure that all videos are captioned to support students with hearing impairments while providing translations for students who may benefit from alternative language support. Considering these above recommendations may assist.

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How can you ensure all students benefit from a flipped classroom, including those with disabilities?

1

2

3

4

5

1 Choose appropriate materials

2 Prepare your students

3 Plan engaging activities

4 Evaluate your outcomes

5 Here’s what else to consider

Educational Leadership

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How can you ensure all students benefit from a flipped classroom, including those with disabilities?

1

2

3

4

5

1 Choose appropriate materials

2 Prepare your students

3 Plan engaging activities

4 Evaluate your outcomes

5 Here’s what else to consider

Educational Leadership

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