Abstract This paper challenges maritime educators (MEs) to utilise the flipped or
partially flipped classroom to meet increasingly diverse stakeholder needs. Given the
international and geographically dispersed nature of the maritime industry (MI), the
skills required are more complex than in a domestic situation. Further considerations
include continuous improvement of learning and teaching practices whilst engaging
with a unique student cohort, preparing a graduate suited to specific MI requirements
and working within constrained university resources. At first, this may appear to be
addressing too many divergent stakeholder expectations. The authors propose using
backward course design (a design that meets the needs and goals of the specific nature
of the MI through stakeholder consultation) as a premise to flipped teaching, thus
unifying stakeholder requirements. Skills developed in the flipped classroom are
particularly useful within the international nature of the MI. The skills required for
effectively working in a linguistically and culturally diverse industry such as teamwork,
decision-making, problem-solving and conflict resolution are practised in the flipped
classroom. These skills along with specific consideration of MI-based cases and
examples discussed in class time produce a more work-ready graduate attuned to
specific industry requirements. This paper provides two application examples of the
flipped classroom in the MI and highlights how this approach can lead to improved
teaching outcomes for MEs.