“Flipped Classrooms” in Indian Education System

The idea of flipped classroom concept in a country like India is a blessing in disguise. The design of this concept is meticulously planned, organised and executed by some of the private institutions and non-governmental organisations. The inconsistent student-teacher ratio is all but true in the remotest of Indian villages and bringing valuable education through course works for the regular curriculum is one of the pros how technology helps Indian modern education.

One of the interesting aspects of flipped classrooms is that it brings in a great amount of individual attention to each and every student unlike the one-size-fits-all method of education. Flipped classroom experiences are like live football matches, each goal scored is a new lesson learned through practice and practical application. However, in football, the coach or the manager is most important guy on the pitch, whereas here, it’s the teacher who takes the mantle of the coach and aides students individually. The student likewise can practice whatever is preached and revise important lessons a numerous times.

The advantages of flipped classrooms are plentiful and organisations like evidyaloka, sampark foundation are cashing in on this innovative but novel idea of educating the rural India. The right to education act has helped flipped classroom concept thrive along with the easy availability of Internet, easy access of reading devices distributed by the some state governments to assist needy students in their everyday learning. There are proven results and researches conducted state that the students learning basic concepts and retention power have increased manifolds.

Changing lives through online education and imparting a million smiles on the faces of students is the need of the hour for every government, both state and central. However, it would be laughable, if purists believe interactive education or flipped classrooms take away their jobs. The concept allows each and every student to pick and choose their virtual gurus keeping the age-old Guru-Shishya tradition intact. If one observes, information is also freely available on the internet. Thanks to Youtube, they have some splendid educational videos but some distractive ones too. Student might get easily distracted and here’s where flipped classrooms scores multiple points as it help students remain on the righteous path of learning. 

The major hurdle for private organisations and governments alike is providing each and every rural house with reliable internet connectivity and respective course material in e-format (videos, photographs…etc.,). The National Optical Fiber Network plan initiated by the government way back in 2011 is still a distant dream, but if executed and implemented properly it has the power to transform lives of many young rural students and the government’s goal of education for all will be realized sooner than ever.