The Flipped Classroom: Practice and Practices in Higher Education

In this review of The Flipped Classroom: Practice and Practices in Higher Education the bottom line is clear: this book is for higher education instructors and academic leaders seeking a thoughtful, practical entry to flipped teaching. It blends conceptual framing with implementation guidance so readers can move beyond the buzzword to concrete classroom decisions. The review finds the volume most valuable for those who want a structured explanation of why flipped approaches matter and stepwise considerations for adapting flipped methods across disciplines.

Key Features

• Depth of practice: Part 1 walks readers through the real considerations involved in flipped classroom teaching, helping instructors understand the transformation process before changing courses.
• Practical implementation: The book serves as a practical guide so lecturers and course designers can plan how to structure pre-class activities and in-class practice.
• Contextual review: It reviews educational concepts and a selected history of similar innovations, offering useful context for why flipped teaching has emerged.
• Cross-discipline relevance: Material is presented with higher education institutions and a range of disciplines in mind, making ideas transferable beyond a single field.
• Problem awareness: The authors describe common challenges in transforming teaching and learning, which helps readers anticipate and plan for obstacles.

Who It's For

The book is aimed at university and college instructors, program leaders, and educational developers who are ready to rethink class time and want guidance grounded in both practice and theory. It is particularly relevant for those introducing flipped methods at department or course level and who need a balanced account of pedagogical rationale and practical steps.

Those who should look elsewhere include readers seeking step-by-step lesson templates for a specific subject or a quickly consumable checklist; this volume emphasizes conceptual understanding and institutional considerations more than a laminated set of activities.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Clear discussion of the considerations involved in flipped classroom teaching helps readers move from idea to implementation.
• Useful combination of practical guidance and educational theory gives a solid foundation for course redesign.
• Relevant across different higher education institutions and disciplines, increasing its applicability.

Cons

• Not primarily a recipe book, so readers wanting detailed lesson plans or discipline-specific templates may find it less immediately actionable.

Specifications

Our Verdict

The Flipped Classroom is a valuable, well reasoned resource for educators who want to understand both why and how to adopt flipped teaching at the course or institutional level. It offers good value for academic staff and educational developers because it pairs conceptual clarity with practical considerations, though those seeking ready-made lesson plans may need a supplementary resource.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book include step-by-step lesson plans?
Answer. The book emphasizes practice and conceptual guidance rather than providing prescriptive, discipline-specific lesson templates.

Who wrote this book?
Answer. The authors are Carl Reidsema, Lydia Kavanagh, Roger Hadgraft, and Neville Smith, who bring experience in higher education teaching and development.

Is it suitable for any discipline?
Answer. Yes; the content is framed for higher education across different institutions and disciplines, focusing on transferable approaches and considerations.