A review of Nontraditional Teaching Methods: Flipped Classroom, Gamification, Case Study, Self-Learning, and Social Media

4. Research Methodology
A five-step research methodology was developed to fulfil the objectives of this study. The research
methodology is presented in Figure
1
.
Educ. Sci. 
2019
, 
9
, x FOR PEER REVIEW 
5 of 20 
Thus, learners are actively engaged, and can gain additional functionalities by taking advantage of 
the powerful characteristics of social media [81,88].
In 2015, Hamid et al. [89] found multiple benefits of implementing the social media education 
method: enhanced engagement and involvement in the learning process, peer learning, promotion of 
critical thinking, self-directed learning, self-monitoring of the learning progress, a platform from 
which learners can interact with instructors, and an enjoyable and interactive learning environment. 
In 2011, Junco et al. [90] conducted a study on the effects of using Twitter as a social media 
education platform. The 125 students who participated were subdivided into two groups: an 
experimental group (70) and a control group (55), and were given two assignments to complete with 
the help of Twitter. This was followed by class discussions and event announcements, using Twitter, 
to assist the students if needed. The social media education method enabled the students to connect 
not only with the instructors, but also with other students who were participating in the class 
activities and enrolled in the subject. The results demonstrated that the students were considerably 
more engaged and involved throughout
the education process, and their average grades 
substantially increased. 
4. Research Methodology 
A five-step research methodology was developed to fulfil the objectives of this study. The 
research methodology is presented in Figure 1. 
Figure 1. 
Research methodology. 
The first step was a comprehensive literature review. In the second step, we collected relevant 
scientific publications, using several search engines such as Google Scholar, ProQuest, Science Direct, 
JSTOR, and Scopus. In the third step, essential information was collected to find the answer to three 
research questions. In the fourth step, the main outcomes of the study were presented and divided 
into two substeps: (1) the benefits/advantages associated with the five studied teaching methods were 
investigated and identified; and (2) the benefits of the studied methods were classified, based on the 
course objectives and similarities. In the final step, the findings and results were discussed and 
analyzed. 
Figure 1.
Research methodology.
The first step was a comprehensive literature review. In the second step, we collected relevant
scientific publications, using several search engines such as Google Scholar, ProQuest, Science Direct,
JSTOR, and Scopus. In the third step, essential information was collected to find the answer to three
research questions. In the fourth step, the main outcomes of the study were presented and divided
into two substeps: (1) the benefits
/
advantages associated with the five studied teaching methods
were investigated and identified; and (2) the benefits of the studied methods were classified, based
on the course objectives and similarities. In the final step, the findings and results were discussed
and analyzed.

---

Educ. Sci.