Flipped Learning: From Theory to Practice

About this course

A professional micro-credential that takes you from the research base of flipped learning to a fully designed, evaluated flipped module. Built on the FlipPraxis APEX cycle (Acquire, Practice, Evaluate, Expand), it covers evidence-informed design principles, backward design, high-quality pre-class microlearning, accountability and just-in-time teaching, and the facilitation of rich in-class application, feedback and transfer.

Who it is for

Faculty, programme leaders and learning designers in any discipline who want to flip a module or improve an existing flipped course.

What you will be able to do

• Explain the definition, theoretical foundations and evidence base of flipped learning
• Apply backward design and constructive alignment to plan a flipped module on the APEX cycle
• Create accessible, evidence-informed pre-class microlearning with built-in retrieval practice
• Use pre-class data to adapt teaching through just-in-time teaching
• Design and facilitate in-class sessions for application, feedback and transfer
• Evaluate the impact of a flipped module and plan its improvement and scale-up

Course outline

Module 1: Foundations of Flipped Learning: Evidence and Design Principles

What flipped learning is, why it works, what the research shows and how to plan a flipped module backwards from outcomes.

Topic 1.1: The Science of Flipped Learning

• Define flipped learning and describe the four pillars of the Flipped Learning Network
• Explain the theoretical foundations of flipped learning, including cognitive load, self-determination and Bloom's inversion
• Evaluate the research evidence on flipped learning and the conditions under which it is effective

Topic 1.2: Backward Design for the Flipped Module

• Write measurable learning outcomes using Bloom's revised taxonomy
• Apply constructive alignment to connect pre-class work, in-class activity and assessment
• Analyse a module to map its content onto the APEX cycle and choose the best module to flip first

Module 2: Designing the Individual Learning Space: Pre-Class Learning (Acquire)

Microlearning content that respects how people learn, and the accountability systems that make pre-class work happen.

Topic 2.1: Microlearning Content Design

• Apply multimedia learning principles to design short, effective instructional videos
• Curate open educational resources and design accessible pre-class materials
• Evaluate AI-assisted tools for creating pre-class content against quality and integrity criteria

Topic 2.2: Accountability and Readiness

• Design pre-class checks and embedded questions that use retrieval practice
• Use pre-class data to adapt teaching through just-in-time teaching
• Analyse causes of low pre-class completion and design interventions that increase engagement

Module 3: Designing the Group Learning Space: Practice, Evaluate and Expand

Orchestrating active class time, facilitation as coaching, feedback, transfer and evaluation of impact.

Topic 3.1: Orchestrating Active Class Time (Practice)

• Plan a flipped class session with a clear structure from entry task to consolidation
• Apply facilitation strategies that move the educator from presenter to coach
• Analyse and adapt flipped designs for large, hybrid and online contexts

Topic 3.2: Evaluate, Expand and Scale

• Apply formative assessment and feedback strategies in the flipped classroom (Evaluate)
• Create transfer tasks that extend learning to new contexts (Expand)
• Evaluate the impact of a flipped module using multiple sources of evidence and plan its improvement and scale-up

How you earn the credential

The course is organised module by module, topic by topic and outcome by outcome. Each of the 18 learning outcomes ends with a Knowledge Check, each of the 6 topics closes with a Skill Checkpoint, and each of the 3 modules closes with a Mastery Milestone. The course ends with the 50-question Capstone Credential Assessment: score 70% or more and your certificate is issued straight away, with a unique ID and a QR code that opens a public verification page. In total the course contains 260 assessment questions.

Credential details

• Level: Postgraduate continuing professional development (learning outcomes comparable to EQF level 7)
• Field: Education: higher education curriculum design and pedagogy
• Prerequisites: None. Most useful if you can apply it to a module you teach.
• Cost: Free, self-paced and online

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