Flipped Classroom Approach for the Development of Thinking Skills and the Fostering of Student Engagement

Abstract

This study investigated students’ perceptions of a flipped classroom approach to develop thinking skills and to foster student engagement in a culture and language for teachers course at a large university in Thailand. This strategy aimed at improving teaching quality and learning efficiency. Forty-one undergraduate students participated in this study and were divided into two groups (good and poor student ability groups). Mixed methods research was adopted, using a questionnaire and interview to understand the effectiveness and students’ perspectives of the flipped classroom approach. The results showed that the flipped classroom approach enhanced students’ thinking skills, and increased student engagement. It contributed positively to the students’ learning experience, although they preferred the passive learning in the traditional classroom. The results of the paired-samples t-test suggested that a good student ability group could be successfully engaged using the flipped classroom approach.