The Connected Curriculum - Challenge #5

Consider Flipping Your Classroom

The flipped classroom illustrates a reversal of traditional teaching where students acquire their first experience to new material outside of class, usually through reading or instructional videos. Class time is then used to do the more difficult work of integrating that knowledge through approaches such as problem-solving, debate or dialog.  If you need this concept to be a bit more defined, peer into Aaron Sams' classroom (through YouTube) as he explains why he flipped his curriculum. Aaron Sams, along with Jonathan Bergmann were the first to flip their classes in Woodland Park Colorado and they are now in the process of book regarding their experience.

I am definitely a supporter of the flipped classroom. Research has shown that students who participate in a flipped classroom actually end up with more one on one time with the teacher.  They have listened and learned from the taped lecture at their own pace and can then bring specific questions back to the class for discussion and help. Because of this, mastery learning is encouraged at an individual pace and students are not pushed and pulled into the next concept when they are not ready for it yet.  The flipped model ensures that students do not move forward until they have demonstrated understanding of the lesson.

I also like that it addresses the issue of absenteeism and missing a lecture.  So many times I find myself repeating a lecture that a student(s) has missed when the majority of the class is ready to move on.  When having 28 students at a time in the classroom I can only cover so much territory in 45 minutes. 

A flipped classroom can help implement an atmosphere where students teach students.  I have long been an advocate of the saying “the best way to learn is to teach” and with this approach those students who “get it” the first time around can work as peer tutors with those who are struggling.  The parents can also become involved as the instructional video is available online and enables the parent to see directly what is being taught and how it is being taught. With this approach, parents are then better equipped to help their children or learn right along with them. Most importantly, it will help me prepare my students for their future.  As a technology teacher (or teacher period), I view my job as one where I am preparing my students for their futures. As fast as our global world is evolving this now includes training for jobs that don’t even exist yet.  How can I do that?  By giving them the tools so that they learn to think, to be independent learners, learn how to problem solve, and how to access information on their own.  A flipped classroom will help give them the skills to succeed in whatever they end up doing.

There was not a lot of information out there on how to flip a technology classroom as that is somewhat of an oxymoron.  I did find some excellent resources on what and how to flip a classroom as well as some free tutorials that I can model my lesson plans after. Sophia Learning has excellent tutorials on the whole process of flipping your classroom from goal setting to looking at lesson planning from this new perspective.  You can also join Sophia Learning to broadcast your lessons and tutorials.Through Sophia Learning, I did find free online resources with lessons for Excel 2010, which I teach to my seventh & eighth graders.  Although the content is somewhat advanced the concept could be kept the same with screen print lessons and video tutorials that the students could work through at their own pace. Follow up mastery quizzes are also included but I like the idea of letting the students come up with their own solutions to show me their mastery.

I am excited enough about this concept that I am in the process of taping several of my lessons so that I can try implementing them into my curriculum soon.   Using PowerPoint presentations that I already have created I am then narrating them on Screencast-o-matic.com where they will be available for students & parents to view. Screencast-o-matic.com offers free hosting for presentations that are 15 minutes or less.  If longer presentations are wanted a premium pro membership is available for only $15 a year (which I upgraded to). Linked here is my very first try on the site, Integrating Technology in the Classroom.  As you can see, it is extremely user friendly and I highly encourage you to give it a try!

Until tomorrow...

Collaborate and connect your curriculum!