Professional Development

Flipped Initiative Launches First Certification Track

• By Dian Schaffhauser
• 09/27/16

A new organization dedicated to improving the practices of the flipped classroom has introduced a certification program intended to give teachers and administrators a foundational understanding. The Flipped Learning Global Initiative (FLGI) kicked off its Flipped Learning Level-I certification as a pilot program with nine units:

• Understanding the pedagogy of flipped learning;
• Planning for flipped learning;
• Flipped learning best practices;
• Tech tools of the flipped classroom;
• Effective use of class time;
• Implementing flipped learning in different subjects and levels;
• Assessments and flipped learning;
• Selecting the right technologies; and
• Taking the flipped class to the next level.

The training behind the credential will be entirely online and self-paced. Director Errol St. Clair Smith said the course would take "about 10.5 hours to complete" and uses automated tests after each unit. Although the program will have a cost affiliated with it, St. Clair Smith said the organization was still "working with our members to define the appropriate price point."

In a prepared statement, Jon Bergmann, co-founder of the organization and a pioneer in the practice of flipping classes, said he's excited about the launch of the Flipped Learning Level-I certification. "I've seen the costs to teachers, administrators and students of groping through the process of implementing the flipped classroom. Training can make the difference between success and the loss of buy-in from teachers, administrators, parents and students."

This offering will be just the first in a series. "There will be a few different levels of training and certification, each progressively more intensive and rigorous," noted St. Clair Smith.

Alongside introducing newbies to flipped classroom precepts, the initiative hopes to draw educators who have experience with flipped learning in order to help "validate" their knowledge and skills.

Currently, the credential is being beta tested by the organization's ambassadors. Once updates have been made, it'll be made publicly available.