E-learning and Flipped classroom in Inclusive Education Course Design for Teachers Training

Abstract

This paper proposes an application model of the “Flipped classroom” approach in the undergraduate course “Inclusive education”. The course is intended for students from the Bachelor's programme “Mathematics and Informatics” of the Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics at Sofia University, who are trained for teachers of mathematics, informatics and information technologies following a new national curriculum. The paper reviews the current educational trends leading to the need of the subject Inclusive Education in the curriculum of future teachers in all subject areas. It takes into account the constraints imposed by the application of the traditional lecture approach and the duration limits set in the curriculum. We propose a solution to these problems by applying the flipped classroom approach. The specific model of this approach that includes active use of e-learning environment is presented, while our special focus is on the practical application of inclusive education knowledge in the fields of mathematics, informatics and information technologies. The advantages of this model application are also shown.