Flipped Classroom in the Czech Republic

The Flipped Classroom approach, advocated since the 1990s by scholars such as Alison King, Eric Mazur, Maureen J. Lage, Glenn J. Platt, and Michael Treglia, involves students independently learning theoretical content before class via e-learning resources like video recordings and self-directed programmes. This allows educators to use class time for discussions and scaffolding as students engage in problem-solving tasks individually and in groups. Notable milestones include the establishment of Khan Academy in 2004, MEF University's adoption of flipped teaching in 2011, the founding of the Flipped Learning Network in 2016, and the extensive use of e-learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper examines implementing a flipped classroom project in environmental education in the Czech Republic. In 2018, three academics from different universities initiated the flipping of environmental education courses. The research, framed as combined action research, employed a questionnaire as the primary tool. Data were collected twice: in 2021, at the end of mandatory online teaching due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in 2024, after three years of regular education. Responses from 288 students were analysed using standard statistical methods, while open-ended responses from 82 students and interviews with four university lecturers were qualitatively assessed. The findings underscore the benefits of electronic materials, particularly students’ appreciation for interactive elements, time flexibility, and the ability to review content multiple times. Students' willingness to watch digital lectures at home decreased post-pandemic, and the perceived efficacy of this method was higher among students during the pandemic. Although students find the flipped classroom method effective, they favour its combination with traditional teaching methods. Educators, cognisant of the method's potential, interpret these results as indicative of “virtual environment fatigue”, noting students’ reluctance to prepare in advance as a significant barrier. They advocate for the widespread implementation of the flipped classroom model across faculties to optimise instruction and eliminate the need for switching between traditional and flipped approaches. This study offers a practical example and insights for educators seeking to integrate the flipped classroom methodology with e-learning tools into their teaching practices.