In a flipped classroom, when do students typically engage with the lecture material?

In a flipped classroom model, students typically engage with the lecture material before coming to class. This approach allows students to review educational content—such as video lectures, readings, or other resources—at their own pace in a self-directed manner. By doing so, they familiarize themselves with the concepts prior to attending class, which transforms the in-person time into a more interactive and application-focused environment where instructors can facilitate discussions, practical exercises, and collaborative learning activities based on that material. This method enhances comprehension and retention, as students arrive in class prepared to engage deeply with the subject matter.

In contrast, engaging with lecture material during in-person class time would not align with the flipped classroom model, which relies on prior individual study. Similarly, while in a flipped classroom, students do benefit from structured guidance; simply engaging with material at home without any support lacks the collaborative and interactive aspects critical to the model’s effectiveness.