Homeschooling and the Flipped Classroom
Flipped Education: How Homeschoolers Are Using This Powerful Learning Model
Today, let’s explore an innovative educational model that is gaining traction in modern learning that many homeschoolers are already doing.
Imagine content being delivered outside a regular instructional period, with class time reserved exclusively for homework. Consider a classroom where the entire focus shifts to the learner. These ideas form the foundation of flipped education, a pedagogical style that inverts the traditional relationship between content delivery and its application.
Traditional Classroom Instruction
To understand flipped education, we must first consider how conventional classroom learning typically works. Usually, a student is presented with new content during a class period. This could take various forms in a group setting, such as a teacher lecturing, reading a chapter from a math book, or introducing new vocabulary. Class time is primarily dedicated to content delivery, with the expectation that students will absorb the material. Later, they are required to apply the learned material through homework outside of class. The purpose of homework is to test or reinforce what was taught during the lesson.
The class period is instructor-centric in a traditional classroom—whether in a homeschool, co-op, hybrid, or other setting. In other words, information is delivered by an instructor while the student remains largely passive. However, the “instructor” doesn’t necessarily have to be a teacher in the traditional sense. It could be a parent, a video lecture, or a textbook—any medium through which content is conveyed. By contrast, the homework period is learner-centric, as students actively apply what they’ve learned without assistance from the instructor.
What is Flipped Education?
As the name suggests, flipped education reverses this relationship. Instead of introducing new content during class, students engage with the material before class, often through reading assignments or instructional videos. Then, during class, students apply what they’ve learned by working through exercises, asking questions, and engaging in discussions under the instructor’s guidance.
In essence, the lesson takes the place of homework, and homework takes the place of the lesson.
For example, in a flipped math class, a student might read a textbook chapter and watch a video lecture independently before class. Then, during class, they work on practice problems while the instructor provides guidance, answers questions, and facilitates discussion. This approach maximizes active learning by making class time learner-centric, shifting the instructor’s role from content delivery to hands-on support and deeper engagement.
Benefits of Flipped Education
Proponents of flipped education point to many benefits of a learner-centric and “hands-on” classroom. Some of these benefits include:
- Increased Student Engagement. Students are more active during class time.
- Personalized Learning. Students learn at their own pace.
- Improved Student-Teacher Interaction. More one-on-one time.
- Enhanced Collaboration. Students have the option of working together more during class.
- Better Understanding of Content. Deeper learning, not just memorization.
- Greater Student Responsibility. Students take ownership of learning.
- Efficient Use of Class Time. More time for application and practice.
- 24/7 Access to Learning Materials. Content is always available, not just during a designated class period.
- Improved Critical Thinking Skills. Promotes the use of higher-order thinking skills.
- Caters to diverse learning styles. Since students absorb content on their own time, they can do so in whatever way suits them.
- Immediate Feedback. Students can address questions and get clarification. They won’t get stumped on homework because the teacher is there to explain it.
Flipped Success Story
Flipped education has a track record of positive outcomes at the institutional level. One of the great success stories of flipped education comes from Clintondale High School in suburban Detroit. Clintondale was ranked among Michigan’s worst 5% of schools until 2011, when the principal directed all teachers to “flip” their classrooms. The results were promising. Before flipping, an average of 13% of students failed high school, while after flipping, no student scored below a C+.
The Clintondale example is also noteworthy because the principal ran a “control group” against which to compare the benefits of the flipped classroom. Some students remained on a conventional track that ran concurrently to the flipped classes so the differences could be observed in real-time. The students in the conventional class showed no improvement.
Of course, this was in a public school setting, and as such, it was still limited by the constraints of any institutional school setting. Migrated to a homeschool setting, flipped education has even greater potential because of the flexibility inherent in a homeschooling environment.
Homeschooling Using Flipped Learning
The flipped education model is a natural fit in a homeschool setting. Many homeschooling families already use elements of this approach without even realizing it! Homeschool parents often provide their children with instructional videos, textbooks, or other learning materials to explore independently before sitting down together to work through exercises, ask questions, or apply concepts.
This approach allows parents to use their time more effectively, focusing on deeper learning, discussion, and problem-solving rather than simply delivering content.
One of the most significant advantages of the flipped model in homeschooling is its flexibility. Since homeschoolers are not tied to rigid class schedules, students can absorb new material at their own pace, revisiting challenging concepts as needed before working through application exercises with a parent or tutor. This can lead to better comprehension and retention, as students are not pressured to keep up with a set pace dictated by a classroom setting.
Flipped Learning at Homeschool Connections
At Homeschool Connections, we recognize the benefits of the flipped education model and have integrated it into many of our courses—particularly in subjects like math and foreign languages, where students benefit from extensive practice and instructor feedback.
For example, in our math courses, students can access pre-recorded instructional videos explaining key concepts. This allows them to pause, rewind, and review difficult sections at their own pace. Then, during LIVE class sessions, students can ask questions under the instructor’s guidance. This method ensures that students spend their interactive class time applying knowledge rather than passively receiving information.
Similarly, in many of our foreign language courses, students watch instructional videos or complete self-guided vocabulary lessons before coming to class. This allows class time to be spent on conversation practice, pronunciation correction, and interactive exercises that reinforce the material meaningfully.
A Proven Model for Homeschool Success
By incorporating elements of flipped learning, you can empower your children to take charge of their education while ensuring they receive the support and engagement they need to master new concepts. Whether mastering algebra, developing fluency in a foreign language, or diving deep into literature, the flipped classroom model allows students to absorb material at their own pace while making the most of their interactive learning time.
Flip learning is a powerful tool for homeschool families looking for a structured yet flexible approach to education. It fosters independence, encourages critical thinking, and helps students develop skills that will serve them well beyond their homeschool years. If you’re looking for online courses that use this effective method and allow you to be the facilitator (instead of the instructor), be sure to check out the Homeschool Connections catalog or email us at [email protected].
If you’d like to continue the discussion and share your thoughts on homeschool pedagogical approaches, I invite you to join me and other parents at our Homeschool Connections Community or our Facebook group.
