Using the Flipped Classroom and Learning Diary to Enhance Learning in Higher Education: Students' Experiences of Flipping the Basics of Law Course

In this study involving blended learning in higher education, a Basics of Law (5 ECTS) course was implemented using a flipped classroom approach and a learning diary. Forty-six (N=46) students participated in a study that evaluated the students' experience of the course implementation. The specific objective of the study was to analyze students' opinions on how the flipped classroom, learning materials, and learning diary were experienced and how these could be developed. Quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed, and students felt the flipped classroom was a practical model for promoting learning in blended learning and legal courses. The flipped classroom and learning diary were expressed to promote students to reflect on learning and deepen their understanding of the subject. The flipped classroom encouraged students to take a more active role in their learning process and enhanced their self-directing skills. The learning diary allowed the whole learning process to be considered in the assessment, and it was suitable to be used instead of an exam. The importance of well-designed course materials and face-to-face classes emerged from the responses. For development purposes, the classroom activities should be carefully pre-planned to activate students for joint discussions and exchanging of ideas. As the main contribution, this study supports that the learning diary is effective in enhancing learning along with the flipped classroom and verifies that the use of these together can be recommended. This research also highlights that the instructor's inspiring and coaching attitude has a positive impact on students' learning motivation.