The impact of flipped classrooms in nurse education: a literature review

Abstract

Flipped classroom pedagogy is increasingly seen to be useful in the tertiary education sector and has recently been more frequently offered in nursing education. This literature review aims to critically examine empirical published work which reports of the impact of flipped classroom pedagogies on nursing students’ learning and performance. Global themes identified include student performance outcomes, engagement and enhanced/diminished student satisfaction. Synthesis of the findings of this literature review indicates that in nurse education the flipped classroom supports retention of knowledge, improves performance outcomes in areas as diverse as caring and examination results and there is enhanced student satisfaction with this method of learning. Enhancements to student learning and achievement using the flipped classroom model are connected to extra time and opportunities available for development of critical thinking and complex reasoning skills in class. As well, improvements are linked to the flexibility and self-efficacy accorded to students by the provision of learning opportunities in the form of deeply personalised online support. There is also evidence to suggest that students initially find this method stressful but with tutors and faculty staff providing information and rationale for the flipped classroom approach this stress can be reduced.