Enhancement of student perceptions of learner-centeredness and community of inquiry in flipped classrooms

BACKGROUND: Flipped classrooms (FC) are expected to create a more student-centered, active learning environment than traditional lectures. This study assessed the effectiveness of FC in promoting a student-centered, active learning environment by examining the changes in student perceptions of the learning environment of FC in terms of student-centeredness and sense of community of inquiry (COI), which represents the elements of a successful learning environment. METHODS: Questionnaires were given to a cohort of Year 2 students in a six-year undergraduate medical education program, who had taken an introduction to medicine course in a FC format. The questionnaire included 7 items on the teaching orientation (i.e., teacher-centered vs. student-centered) and 34 items from the Community of Inquiry Survey Instrument, which consisted of three sub-scales - teaching, social, and cognitive presences. The questionnaires were administered in pre- and post-test format during the first and last week of the semester. RESULTS: A total of 55 students returned the questionnaires (100% response rate). The student perceptions of student-centeredness of FC increased significantly over time (p < 0.001), and their perceptions of COI in FC also increased significantly in all three presences (p < 0.001). The student perceptions of student-centeredness and sense of COI in FC increased significantly in both high-achieving and low-achieving students (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that the flipped classroom model is an effective approach to fostering a learner-centered learning environment and developing a community of inquiry among medical students.