February 25, 2013: The "flipped" classroom is gaining momentum.
As described by TeachThought, the flipped classroom is a model where students learn new ideas at home–-often through videos (about 10 minutes long) or other tech venues (YouTube, teacher websites, podcasts) on their tablets, smart phones or computers. At school, they then apply that learning to teacher-prepared activities -- thus the "flip" on the traditional approach in elementary and secondary education.
According to Diana Lambert for the Sacramento Bee, teachers have been using videos to supplement learning for years. But the concept of flipping the classroom started to gain momentum only about six years ago, when two Colorado chemistry teachers – Jonathan Bergmann and Aaron Sams – recorded podcasts of their lectures for students who missed class...
Folsom Middle School algebra teacher Tyler Johnstone (left), in his first year of the "flipped" model, says although the model does have its challenges, he likes it -- he can address students' individual problems in class the day after watching the lecture at home.
The Sacramento County Office of Education will continue to have trainings on the model for their teachers. "It does take a significant amount of work," said Johnstone...[who] spends an hour a day making videos for class...He began the year working out algebra problems using only a pencil and a piece of white paper. He has since moved to a tablet and stylus. Each afternoon he posts a video to YouTube and to his page on the school website.
One concern, articulated by Pascal-Emmanuel Gobry in Forbes, is a student's access to the technology necessary to take advantage of the flipped classroom:The flipped classroom model assumes that kids have access to internet access and internet-enabled devices, and this is not yet true for everyone, though it will increasingly get that way as prices go ever lower. That being said, it seems pretty obvious that if the political/social will to go to a flipped classroom model gets there, so will be the will to get devices and internet access to all those who need it. It’s also worth noting that the current education system does nothing to ameliorate socioeconomic stratification, indeed, worsens it.
(Above one of the creators of the model Aaron Sams discusses why he flipped his class structure and how it works)
Written by Taylor McCulloch.
Flipped classroom is more than just a trend.
Teaching in the Digital Age by Stanford University:
http://www.qlazzy.com/lesson/view/51056b489ce3c04e7c000001
Posted by: Qlazzy | 02/25/2013 at 05:45 PM