Journal of Research in Medical Education & Ethics

Flipped classroom (FC), also known as ‘reversed’ or ‘inverted’ classroom, is a type of blended learning that integrates distance learning outside the class and face-to-face learning in class. Students gain first exposure to material via online lectures, videos or even by reading textbooks at home. Class time is focused on development of knowledge by active learning strategies like discussion, problem solving and clearing queries with the teacher. It has been accepted to promote critical thinking and to develop competencies for better management of patients in future.

To make use of technique of ‘Flipped classroom'to improve students’ understanding and promote their self learning skills in pathology

This study was conducted among second professional MBBS students in Department of Pathology, Bhagat Phool Singh Government Medical College, Khanpur Kalan, Sonepat from May 2018 to August 2018. Students prepared the topic of ‘Hypothyroidism’ with the help of online Power Point presentation, YouTube video and reference of textbook provided to them. In class, activities were used to foster the understanding and comprehension on the topic. At the end of the session, perception of students and faculty was obtained through feedback questionnaire containing both closed-and open-ended questions.

A total of 95 second year MBBS students participated in this study. On evaluation of students’ feedback, 92.63% agreed that FC is useful for studying pathology whereas 83.16% found it helpful in the irclearing doubts. A total of 95.79% students are motivated for self-learning where as 94.74% found improvement in their understanding of topic. A total of 63.12% students felt that it was not a time consuming activity. Students and faculty preferred using FC for more topics in pathology teaching.

FC has been useful in studying pathology with prime objectives of motivating undergraduate students and cultivating skills of self-learning.