Topic outline

  • Welcome

  • Introduction to Unit 12

    • Why this Unit?

      Create Virtual and Flipped Classrooms is an essential Unit that introduces you to innovative instructional models that extend learning beyond the traditional classroom. In today’s classrooms, effective teaching increasingly depends on flexible digital approaches that engage learners both inside and outside the school environment. In this Unit, you will examine key concepts, analyse digital platforms, and design learning experiences that leverage both virtual and flipped approaches. This Unit is important because it equips you with practical methods for improving lesson delivery, increasing learner participation, and maximising instructional time. By completing it, you will be able to create purposeful digital content and implement virtual and flipped classroom strategies that enrich your teaching practice.

      Unit Competencies

      By the end of this unit, you will be able to ...

      1. Describe the concepts of virtual classrooms and flipped classrooms. 
      2. Analyse tools and Platforms for Virtual Learning
      3. Design a Flipped Classroom Lesson 
      4. Create digital content for Virtual and Flipped Learning



      Recommended time      : 2 hours

      Instructions

      To begin your learning journey, navigate to the topics listed below and click the links in the order shown. Each link for every lesson contains hands-on activities, and supporting resources that will guide you step-by-step through the course.

      1. Open Lesson 1 and follow the lesson links in the order they appear.
      2. Complete the lesson content, attempt the activities, and review the resources attached to that topic.
      3. Submit any required tasks or quizzes for that topic and post questions in the discussion forum if needed.
      4. Only move to the next Lesson after you finish activities of the current lesson.

      Repeat steps 1–4 until you complete all topics.

  • Lesson 1: The concept of Virtual and Flipped Classrooms

    • Introduction

      Lesson 1 introduces the concepts of virtual and flipped classrooms, highlighting their benefits, challenges, and the rationale for using them in teaching and learning.

      Content

      • Definition of virtual classrooms (synchronous and asynchronous).
      • Definition of flipped classrooms.
      • Benefits of virtual and flipped classrooms (flexibility, engagement, learner-centeredness).
      • Challenges (connectivity, resources, teacher preparation).
      • Relevance to Tanzania’s ICT Competence Framework for Teachers (2025).

      Instructions

      Please go through Resources 1, 2 and 3 to begin the lesson. The links include lessons, resources, and activities such as quizzes and discussion forums to support your learning.

    • Discussion: 

      Using the reflections from Resource 1 on Virtual Classrooms and Resource 2 on Flipped Classrooms, reflect on how these approaches can be applied in your teaching context. Make your plan realistic for your setting (e.g., limited internet, shared devices, offline options).

    • Quick quiz: 

      After participating in the forum discussion, test your understanding by completing the short quiz below.

      • Read each question carefully.
      • Answer to the best of your ability based on what you learned in Topic One and the forum discussion.

    • Topic 1 Quick Quiz
      Receive a grade

  • Lesson 2: Tools and Platforms for Virtual Learning

    • Introduction

      This lesson introduces you to the digital platforms and technologies that support the creation and delivery of virtual classrooms and flipped instruction. It highlights both institutional Learning Management Systems (LMS) and external tools that enhance interactivity and learner engagement.

      Content

      • Common LMS platforms: Moodle, Google Classroom, Edmodo.
      • Synchronous tools: Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and their key features (chat, breakout rooms, screen sharing, whiteboards).
      • Criteria for selecting appropriate tools based on context, learner needs, and institutional resources.

      Instructions

      Please go through Resources 4, 5 and 6 to begin the lesson. The resources include notes and activities such as quizzes and discussion forums to support your learning.

    • Create a Virtual Classroom

      This activity below helps you apply your learning by setting up a virtual classroom using Google Classroom. You will create a class, share a resource, invite learners, and post your classroom link in Moodle to demonstrate your progress.

    • Google Classroom Assignment
      Make a submission

    • Quick quiz: 

      After submitting your assignment, test your understanding by completing the short quiz below.

      • Read each question carefully.
      • Answer to the best of your ability based on what you learned in Topic Two and the virtual classroom assignment.

    • Topic 2 Quick Test Quiz
      Receive a grade

  • Lesson 3: Designing a Flipped Classroom Lesson

    • Introduction

      This lesson focuses on the practical steps of designing a flipped classroom model, emphasizing pre-class, in-class, and post-class learning activities. Participants will learn to shift direct instruction outside the classroom and engage learners actively during class time.

      Content

      • The flipped classroom design cycle: Before Class → During Class → After Class.
      • Selecting and developing pre-class materials (videos, readings, OER).
      • Interactive strategies during class: group work, collaborative problem-solving, case studies, discussions.
      • Post-class activities: reflection, feedback, and consolidation of knowledge.

      Instructions

      Go through Resource 7 to learn more about flipped classrooms and how you can setup a flipped classroom in the Tanzania school context.

    • Discussion

      The flipped classroom model shifts learning from passive listening to active participation by preparing students before class and engaging them deeply during and after lessons. In this discussion, let’s explore how thoughtful design of pre-class, in-class, and post-class activities can enhance student engagement and understanding — even in settings with limited technology.

  • Lesson 4: Creating Digital Content for Virtual and Flipped Learning

    • Introduction

      This topic equips participants with practical skills to design, adapt, and share digital learning resources. It emphasizes the use of accessible tools, Open Educational Resources (OER), and Creative Commons licensing to ensure responsible and sustainable content development.

      Content

      • Recording and editing short instructional videos using tools such as Loom, OBS, Screencast-o-Matic.
      • Designing interactive resources (H5P, Google Forms, Kahoot, Padlet).
      • Locating and adapting OER for use in flipped lessons.
      • Understanding Creative Commons licensing and how to attribute digital content appropriately.

      Instructions

      Please click the links of Resource 8 and 9. The links include lesson notes, resources, and activities such as assignment and discussion forums to support your learning.

    • Quick quiz: 

      After reading the above article, test your understanding by completing the short quiz below.

      • Read each question carefully.
      • Answer to the best of your ability based on what you learned in Topic four.

    • Lesson 4 Quiz
      View Receive a grade

  • Unit Discussion

    • Throughout this unit you explored flipped classrooms, virtual classrooms, supporting technologies, the design steps for a flipped lesson, and the digital skills needed to create multimedia resources. Now use the forum link below to write a reflection on how these elements can work together in your local teaching context.
    • Unit 12 Discussion Forum
      Make forum posts: 1

  • Unit Assessment

    • After completing all the unit activities, test your understanding by completing this final quiz below.

    • Final Unit 12 Quiz
      Receive a grade

  • Summary and Conclusion

    • In this unit, you explored the concepts of virtual and flipped classrooms and their role in extending learning beyond the traditional classroom. You examined the benefits and challenges of these approaches, analysed a range of digital platforms and tools, and considered how virtual and flipped models align with the ICT Competence Framework for Teachers in the Tanzanian context.

      You also developed practical skills in designing a flipped classroom lesson, creating and adapting digital learning content, and selecting appropriate technologies based on learner needs, access, and available resources. By the end of this unit, you should feel more confident in using virtual and flipped classroom strategies to increase learner engagement, make better use of class time, and support flexible, learner-centred teaching.

  • Attribution, References & Licence