Flipping the flipped. The concept of flipped learning in an online teaching environment

ABSTRACT

This article investigates the concept of flipped learning in an online learning environment. It evaluates the case study of the award-winning flipped learning project carried out in the context of a beginners’ level German module at The Open University, UK, during the academic year 2017/18. In particular, the article focuses on the similarities between distance teaching and the flipped classroom methodology, and possible complements. Based on the evaluation of the OU Flipping German project, the study also makes suggestions on how to implement elements of flipped learning in the provision of online teaching.

KEYWORDS:

• Flipped learning
• online teaching environment
• distance teaching
• flipped classroom methodology
• modern foreign languages

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank all members of the Flipping German team for their valuable contributions to the project: Caroline Rowan-Olive, Eva Staiger, Elke StJohn, Anna Wolridge.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. See http://www.open.ac.uk/about/main/strategy-and-policies/facts-and-figures.

2. see http://www.openuniversity.edu/courses/modules/l193.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Karina von Lindeiner-Stráský

Dr Karina von Lindeiner-Stráský is a Lecturer and Head of German at the School of Languages and Applied Linguistics at The Open University. Her research focuses on memorialisation and communication in the digital world.

Ursula Stickler

Dr Ursula Stickler is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Languages and Applied Linguistics at The Open University. Her research specialises in autonomous learning and online language teaching skills. She is co-editor of numerous special issue publications on the topic of technology in language learning and teaching.

Susanne Winchester

Dr Susanne Winchester is an Author, Consultant, and Associate Lecturer in German at the School of Languages and Applied Linguistics at The Open University.