A comparison between flipped and lecture-based instruction in the calculus classroom

The purpose of this paper is to enhance students’ mastery of course material in a second semester calculus course and assess the effectiveness of a traditional “lecture-based” instructional model compared to a modified “flipped classroom” model using a mixed method research design.

Evaluation of effectiveness was measured by having students in all four courses take the same pre-post exams and participate in a survey to assess their opinion of each instructional model. Undergraduate students covered the same content using two different modes of instruction.

Within a comparable group of students, participants in the flipped course had similar content knowledge gains as the lecture-based course. Based on responses obtained in blinded student surveys, the authors found that the use of an online homework system (WebAssign) and in-class quizzes were critical motivating factors that likely contributed to the increase in student performance. The flipped classroom instruction was more effective at increasing interest in the subject and promoting student discourse around problem solving. Taken together, the findings support the flipped classroom model as an equally effective means in which to disseminate key calculus concepts to undergraduate students.

Findings from this study are limited to content knowledge gains in calculus over a 14-week time period, and student attitudes toward the mode of instruction they received. More research is needed to study the depth of learning that occurs in small group problem solving and interactions between faculty-and-student and student-to-student.

While many course redesigns focus on incorporating more project-based or laboratory-based learning opportunities, the redesign used in this study was focussed on different ways to deliver the same content. Results from this study suggest that a blended type of learning would be optimal for learning calculus concepts with a strategic use of video content concepts.