Flipped Classroom Model in Nurse Anesthesia Programs: An Exploration of Prevalence, Students’ Satisfaction, and Receptiveness

Abstract

Purpose: The study examines the prevalence of the flipped classroom (FC) model in US Nurse Anesthesia Programs and determines student satisfaction levels, perceived learning effectiveness, and receptiveness to the model.

Methods: A descriptive, quantitative research design was employed by electronic distribution of a survey questionnaire surveying 356 Student Registered Nurse Anesthetists. The sample was divided into Group 1 (FC group, N=195) and Group 2 (FC naïve group, N=168). Group 1 students have taken at least one FC course and Group 2 students have never been taken a FC course.

Results: Our results demonstrate that the FC model is indeed prevalent in the Nurse Anesthesia education with about half of the surveyed students having been exposed to the FC model. Of students who had been exposed to the FC model, satisfaction scores were mixed. Student especially liked the availability of online resources that could conveniently be accessed anytime, anyplace. On the contrary, students disliked the increase time requirement and many opinioned that their course was poorly executed and the contents were poorly prepared. While students did not perceive the FC to increase learning effectiveness, more than half agreed that the blend of online and in-class delivery felt more effective than the traditional classroom. The FC-naïve students were very receptive to the idea of an FC and voiced interest in the opportunity to take a course utilizing the FC model. The majority of FC-naïve students expressed preference of a mixture of both online and face-to-face delivery of learning over the traditional classroom.

Conclusions: The FC is an educational model that allows for implementation of innovative learning activities and resources that can meet the learning demands of both students and modern education reformers. While more data is needed to quantify learning satisfaction and effectiveness within Nurse Anesthesia education, the model is still worthy of attention and can be a catalyst to introducing technologically advanced resources to the traditional classroom.