The flipped classroom learning model as a means for acquiring the 21st century skills

Abstract

In a knowledge based economy students are expected to acquire a certain set of skills that will enable them to have a positive impact in society. The 21st century skills are considered to be the answer to their social and professional inclusion and education plays a key role in providing students with the opportunity to develop these skills. To address the challenges of the future, educational frameworks need to be redesigned so that they can cultivate this set of skills. The advancement of technologies can contribute to the realization of an educational paradigm shift while the teachers’ role in the learning process remains fundamental. The flipped classroom is a new learning model where the learning activities inside and outside the classroom are rearranged. Several studies have indicated that flipping the classroom promotes the cultivation of the 21st century skills, such as critical thinking, creativity, metacognition, problem solving, collaboration, motivation, self-efficacy, conscientiousness, grit and perseverance. On the other hand this pedagogical approach could be quite challenging since it presents many barriers that need to be removed so that the method can deliver the desirable learning outcomes.