A Comparative Analysis of Traditional Flipping Versus Virtual Flipping

Abstract

Flipped classroom approach is the most sought after neoteric pedagogical approach in the present times. This approach is clinching prodigious recognition as it employs a blend of techniques and technologies. The present study compared flipping a traditional class and a virtual class. The study aims to weigh the effects of flipping writing skills course in a traditional class and virtual class on the performance, attitudes and perceptions of English Language Learners’. The research used a quasi-experimental design with pre-test and post-test with a control group. The group consisted of 24 English language learners attending the level four foundations program at Nizwa College of Technology. The same group was given instructions by flipping traditional class for 3 weeks and virtual class for 3 weeks. Independent and paired sample t-tests were implemented for interpreting the pre-test and post-test data. The results showed a statistically significant difference between the writing skills course's traditional flip and virtual flip. It was evident that the students in traditional flip surpassed the students in virtual flip in performance. Students in both modes showed positive attitudes towards the approach. This study would benefit educators in Oman in general and at NCT, particularly in adapting a very effective approach that would help them improve students’ performance by involving them and making them responsible for their learning. The limitations of the study were absenteeism, limited sample size. There was also a little reluctance from students towards this approach. Studies on flipped classroom approach in language learning classrooms are limited, but studies on flipping a virtual class are even more limited. Very few researchers investigated the impact of flipping a virtual class. More research is needed in this aspect. More long-term research is needed with different skills and a larger sample size to uncover the efficacy of flipping both traditional and virtual class.