The book written by Jonathan Bergmann and
Arron Sams, Flip Your Classroom is an informative, quick read that
discusses what the flipped classroom is and why it works. They also talk
about the flipped mastery model, in which the students work through the
material at their own pace. I read the first four chapters that focused
on the "traditional" flipped classroom (I am eager to learn how the
mastery model is done, but I think I’d get overwhelmed at this point).
The information provided in the text made me feel competent that I could
implement this model in my classroom. Bergmann and Sams are encouraging in that
they emphasize the idea that implementing the flipped classroom model is a
process and that it is okay to make mistakes... you just need to dive in! In the
flipped classroom, lessons that would traditionally be done at school are done
at home and vice versa. The students are
required to view the lessons, which are presented through different media
sources, as homework. To prepare for the class they are to take notes, be ready
to discuss their learning and ask any questions. When they arrive at class they begin with a
discussion on the video and then the students break into guided and independent
practice, projects, and/or activities. The teacher then takes on the “tutorial
role”.
“Flipping the classroom establishes a framework that ensures students receive a personalized education tailored to their individual needs.” Flipping the classroom helps the struggling students because teachers can quickly assess how they are performing on independent and/or group tasks while circulating the room. They are then able to work with individual or small groups of students that are struggling on a particular skill. In the flipped classroom children are encouraged to communicate, collaborate, think critically, and to be creative. The teacher is no longer the only disseminator of information.
“Flipping the classroom establishes a framework that ensures students receive a personalized education tailored to their individual needs.” Flipping the classroom helps the struggling students because teachers can quickly assess how they are performing on independent and/or group tasks while circulating the room. They are then able to work with individual or small groups of students that are struggling on a particular skill. In the flipped classroom children are encouraged to communicate, collaborate, think critically, and to be creative. The teacher is no longer the only disseminator of information.
I plan to try this model in my classroom
with a math lesson. It will not truly be
a flipped classroom because I will use class time to have them view a
video. I intend to have them view a
video on www.learnzillion.com about
recognizing fractions. I am then going
to have them work in collaborative groups to create posters. They will be required to think of an everyday
situation in which we need to make fractions (cutting pie, sharing a candy bar,
folding paper), then I will have them pick three fractions cards, they will
have to draw the item showing the fractional sections (draw a pie with 1/3
colored, and one with 1/8 colored, and another with 2/5 colored). We can then post them around the room to be
used as a reference material.
Eventually I will have the children view the
videos at home. However, as Sams and Bergmann
mentioned, this is a process, so I’ll take really small steps. When I do become comfortable with the idea in
the classroom, I will need to take a considerable amount of time communicating
with parents. In the book they discuss
several reasons and helpful tips to talking with parents. Some of them are, behavior is less of an issue
because the students are so engaged, it makes the classroom transparent, and it
allows the parents to better assist their children at home.
There is a section on how to make your own
videos – Camtasia Studio is a good screen casting program.
I also mentioned www.learnzillion.com – it’s a great
website for math and language arts. You
can enter the CCSS (4.NF.1) into the search box and it will pull up a bunch of
videos. They average 5 minutes. I have only used the math videos, but the LA ones
look good too.
3 comments:
Alicia, the flipped classroom model seems like the future of education to me. It is closely modeled on the much of the business world in that the work is done at home so that collaboration and revision can occur at work (or at school, in this case...). The experiences I have had with this tool have been great thus far. The only problem I have is that most of the pre-created flipped classrooms are math and science centered... There don't seem to be any real options for English teachers.
Beyond that, however, I have identified some useful tools for creating your own flipped classroom models. For iPad users, apps such as "Show Me" and especially "Doceri" allow for teachers to manipulate their own videos and create flipped classrooms. I have already created one in order to train my peers on the use of digital backpack and have also begun to work with the programs for my classroom.
Alicia,
I really enjoyed reading your post on flipping the classroom. I would love to borrow your book when you are done with it! I am intrigued to find out how I can incorporate flipping the classroom with my own current curriculum. I cannot wait to check out the website that you mentioned containing videos specializing in the common core strands. I feel that learning more about flipping the classroom is essential for me in order to have more time supporting struggling students. I also need to incorporate more 21st century skills into my classroom, and it sounds like this would allow me to easily integrate more technology into my classroom and my student’s lives. Please keep me posted on how you fare integrating flipping the classroom into your classroom. I look forward to hearing more about this topic and how it works for you.
I agree with Garrett- I think that a flipped classroom will become the future of education, but having taught in the English dept. I don't see many useful ways -other than research based to be able to "flip" my classroom. I have to admit that I feel more comfortable now incorporating technology into my classroom, but still feel as though I need to educate myself more on the ways in which I can utilize technology more within the classroom, to use on a daily basis. I find it odd that CREC doesn't offer more professional development around the idea of a flipped classroom/integrating technology into the classroom, as I would be very interested in attending that type of workshop. Other than the ipad PD they offer- does anyone else know of a good PD offered through CREC on integrating technology into the classroom?
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