Flips, Somersaults, and Rethinking How I Teach (The Flipped Classroom)

Today I am spending some time on the topic of the "Flipped Classroom". What is it? What are the beginning steps to implementing this model? Pros and Cons: What do teachers, parents, and students like, or dislike, about this model?

What is a Flipped Classroom?

Traditionally students receive direct instruction and assignments from the teacher. The instruction time takes up the majority of class time. This has caused many educators to be increasingly aware of the fact that they are usually reaching the average students, not the low or high achieving, because there is not enough time to differentiate. In looking for a better model, teachers have discovered a way to reverse the instruction vs. learning time by using short instructional videos that students watch before class. 

Watch this video by Molly Schroeder, posted by Common Sense Education, to gain insights into 

• What flipped learning is.

• Different ways to flip, including in-class flipping.

• How a flipped classroom is like cloning yourself for students.

• Why creating engaging videos is important.

• How to get started!

Pros and Cons: What Teachers, Parents, and Students Say

Teacher Perspective: While the students might not be hanging from the ceiling, the teacher needs to carefully examine the pros and cons of flipped learning and use this model as it is appropriate for the age, abilities, and technology resources of his/her class.

+Pros+

• Direct instruction before class
• Technology
• Individualized learning

-Cons-

• Not everyone learns best by screen
• Increased workload to prepare/select videos
• Videos must use a variety of problem solving approaches like face-to-face instruction
• Not enough technology for every student
• Increases students' overall daily screen time

Student Perspective: This model depends on active student preparation. However, some teachers find one of the biggest roadblocks to be the students’ disengagement in the out-of-class instruction.

+Pros+

• Learn at my own pace
• Catch-up work is easier
• Can pause/rewind to learn challenging concepts
• More class time with the teacher

-Cons-

• Some videos are boring or poor quality
• Everyone has homework 
• Hard to get screen time to watch my assignment

Parent Perspective: This model allows my student to complete homework without my help, especially with concepts in math that I don't know how to do. 

In looking at these pros and cons, the goal of a flipped classroom is not to overwhelm students with fancy flips, somersaults, and video overload but to reflectively choose ways of using technology to free up class time for inquiry, problem solving, tutoring, and project-based learning. I believe that is a model that all educators should consider!