Friday, September 14, 2012

Flippin' the Classroom??

Flipping the classroom... so what's that? No it's not a "not-so-hilarious-April-Fool's-Day-joke" (actually that would definitely not be funny at all... maybe this concept is incorrectly named, as you don't want to give anyone ideas!!!)

According to Wikipedia, this is the definition of the "Flipped Classroom" or "Flipped Teaching"

Flip teaching is a form of blended learning which encompasses any use of Internet technology to leverage the learning in a classroom, so a teacher can spend more time interacting with students instead of lecturing. This is most commonly being done using teacher created videos that students view outside of class time. It is also known as backwards classroomreverse instructionflipping the classroom, and reverse teaching[1]


The traditional pattern of secondary education has been to have classroom lectures, in which the teacher explains a topic, followed by homework, in which the student does exercises. In flip teaching, the student first studies the topic by himself, typically using video lessons created by the instructor[2][3] or shared by another educator, such as those provided by the Khan Academy. In the classroom, the pupil then tries to apply the knowledge by solving problems and doing practical work.[4][5][6] The role of the classroom teacher is then to tutor the student when they become stuck, rather than to impart the initial lesson. This allows time inside the class to be used for additional learning-based activities,[7] including use of differentiated instruction and project-based learning.[8]
Flip teaching allows more hands-on time with the instructor guiding the students, allowing them to assist the students when they are assimilating information and creating new ideas (upper end of Bloom's Taxonomy).[9]

[Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flip_teaching, September 14, 2012]

Watch this video... It explains the concept well...
"The Flipped Classroom"


"The Flipped Classroom is Born" (2007)


Classroom flipping involves students preparing for a lesson in advance using on-line technology (Youtube videos etc), then coming to class to work on the concept collaboratively with students while the teacher assists and further hones knowledge and skills... There is no "Homework"... actually there is.. but perhaps it could be called "Student Prep Work".

Advantages...
The class becomes far more student centered... not just teacher centered.... Traditional model is not followed...
Teachers can become more "Facilitators of learning" or "Learning Guides" and take students to another level of understanding or developing the skill.
Students know what they are studying in advance, and can work at their own pace.
Students have a preliminary understanding of what's taught, then they can spend valuable class time further developing their understanding or skills.
Students can spend more time collaborating or discussing with other students their ideas or exploring projects.
Students arrive in class, ready to apply what they learned at home.
The strategy truly embraces the philosophy that students must become Life Long Learners, and leaders in their own learning.
The Flipped model, explores the upper levels of Bloom's Taxonomy, further than traditional models of teaching.

Disadvantages...
What if students do not have access to the technology?
Extra prep time would be required of teachers... What if the teacher does not have access to the technology to prepare the lesson?
Are schools up-to-speed in helping bring this concept along... or is this a very futuristic concept?

Moving Forward...
Should we let the road blocks stop us? What can we do as "baby steps" to move forward?
* In math class, direct students to Khan Academy to a particular lesson on the site, then assign practice problems on Manga High or IXL that reinforce the concept... Perhaps easier elements of the concept.
* In Social Studies, find videos or sites that explore some of the preliminary aspects of the lesson to be taught. However, keep it interesting... not just a long documentary without the purpose explained. Assign questions or reasons why students are watching a particular video or reading about a particular concept. Students could come to class with a good understanding of the concept, then discuss in small groups while tacking a problem or assignment related to the concept.

Other ideas... Time to think... How can a school or PLN bring this concept alive? What can you start doing now?



Resources:
Flipping the Classroom - The Economist
http://www.economist.com/node/21529062

How the Flipped Classroom is Radically Changing Learning
http://www.thedailyriff.com/articles/how-the-flipped-classroom-is-radically-transforming-learning-536.php

Youtube Video, "The Flipped Classroom" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2H4RkudFzlc

Youtube Video, "The Flipped Classroom is Born" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-y9vR7YTak&feature=relmfu

Top 9 Resources for an iPad Initiative


Top 9 Resources for an iPad Initiative  
Amanda Allen and David Lopez, who introduced a 1-to-1 iPad program at St. Genevieve Elementary in Los Angeles, suggest the apps, Web sites, and programs they found most useful.
1. Popplet--Simple, graphic organizing tool. All grade levels.
2. iCardSort--A virtual set of Post-It notes. Middle School and up.
3. Flashcards+--Allows students and teachers to easily create paperless flashcards. Syncs to a website called Quizlet that lets one download flashcards others have uploaded. “It’s kind of like crowdsourcing for studying,” Lopez said.
4. GoodReader--A digital PDF reader that allows students to highlight passages and take notes in the margins. Middle School and up.
5. Apple’s Volume Purchase Program for Schools--Sells apps at a discount for schools when they are purchased in quantities of 20 or more. All grade levels.
6. Edmodo--One of “the best things teachers will use,” said Lopez. “In a nutshell it’s Facebook for the classroom. It looks and works like Facebook and it does everything: calendars, lists, document hosting, quiz assignments. It worked really well with the iPad program with our school. Everyone had a device and a place to communicate.” All grade levels.
7. TeenTribune.com--A website that provides current events for students. Middle School and up.
8. Good Notes--A note-taking app that records audio with the notes. Middle school and up.
9. Mathaliens--A basic mathematics app in which an alien pops up when students answer correctly. Kindergarten-fourth grade.

Free the Children Resources, Lessons and Sites



WHY MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

As young people, the world is in your hands. Yes, it might sound cliche... but it's
true. You will inherit the world, but why wait to make a difference?



Act now, get involved.



Apathy is not an option...



The people of the world are depending on your idealism, optimism and hard work!





Who are Craig and Marc Kielburger??



The accidental activists: Craig and Marc Kielburger - Community - Life - Canadian Living




Free the Children Official Site
http://www.freethechildren.com/


Haiti and Free the Children Get Involved Youth Campaign
 - Lesson on Sustainability and continuing to assist Haiti
- Social Studies, ELA and Religion
http://www.freethechildren.com/getinvolved/youth/campaigns/la_solidarite/docs/Haiti%20La%20Solidarite%20lesson%20plan%20-%20secondary.pdf
-Youth Initiative Video with FTC and Haiti
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kH7tisqzJBE

October ...

Halloween for Hunger Site 
http://www.freethechildren.com/getinvolved/youth/campaigns/campaigns.php?type=halloweenforhunger

Halloween for Hunger Lesson Plan
http://www.freethechildren.com/getinvolved/youth/campaigns/halloweenforhunger/docs/Halloween%20for%20Hunger%20elementary%20lesson%20plan.pdf

Halloween for Hunger Campaign - Getting Started
http://www.freethechildren.com/getinvolved/youth/campaigns/halloweenforhunger/docs/H4H%20How-To%20Guide.pdf

November...

Vow of Silence
http://www.freethechildren.com/vowofsilence/
iamsilent.com

What is the Vow of Silence?
http://www.freethechildren.com/getinvolved/youth/campaigns/vowofsilence/docs/VOS%201%20pager.pdf

Vow of Silence How to Guide
http://www.freethechildren.com/vowofsilence/doc/Vow%20of%20Silence-HowtoGuide_Sept25.pdf

Vow of Silence Lesson Plan
http://www.freethechildren.com/vowofsilence/doc/Vow%20of%20Silence%20_elementary_lesson%20plans.pdf

Check Youtube for Vow of Silence Promotional Videos to kick off campaign
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wt0YlunaO6s&noredirect=1


Independent Review of Free the Children Resources by Barbara Hoskins
Explains how each resource is intended to be used and the integration into subject areas from ELA, to Social Studies to Religion to Technology...
http://www.freethechildren.com/whatwedo/local/youthengagement/docs/Free%20the%20Children%20review%2002-21-11%20-%20Barbara%20Hoskins.pdf


Global Voices - Articles with lessons sent weekly - Integrate into ELA, Social and Religion
-Download
http://www.freethechildren.com/whatwedo/local/globalvoices/

Directors of Change - A freely-available online curricular resource designed to promote civic engagement. It provides lesson plans so that students can identify issues of concern, research these issues and design web-based presentations to inform others and encourage action. This resource is designed to support learning in social studies, language arts and technology.
http://www.freethechildren.com/getinvolved/educator/programs.php?type=director

Called to Change the World - A resource guide designed in partnership with the Catholic Curriculum Corporation in Ontario, Canada. These materials are designed to follow the Catholic unifying themes and essential questions from their curriculum maps and use the effective teaching practices of Free the Children. These practices include: providing learner-centered activities to increase awareness, promoting critical thinking, developing communication skills, and engaging in socially responsible action with others.
http://www.weday.com/doc/library/secondary/Catholic%20Resource_gr11-12.pdf


Adobe Youth Voices - A program offered in partnership with the Adobe Foundation that provides teachers and students in underserved high schools the opportunity to use cutting edge multimedia to effect social change globally and locally. Participating students create media projects on an issue of their choosing and exhibit their projects at the end of the year. Teachers are provided with professional development to enhance their teaching strategies so that they can support their students in using media for social change.

http://www.freethechildren.com/whatwedo/local/adobe_youth_voices/

Go Local - A program that serves teachers and students in underserved high schools and middle schools by providing leadership training to support student volunteerism in their local communities.
http://www.freethechildren.com/whatwedo/local/golocal/


Take Action with Community Mapping – Materials developed in collaboration with the O Ambassadors Program. This is a highly accessible guidebook that can be used by teachers to assist young people in learning to make a difference in their local communities through community mapping. Community mapping guides students to assess the needs in their communities, identify strengths and resources, and develop action plans. This guidebook is visually engaging and uses relevant examples of activities taken by other young people.



We Schools in Action Program – Resources made available for schools for use in their service learning programs. It is designed to inspire students and give them the interactive tools needed to become involved in social justice and volunteerism. Print and internet resources are available through the We Schools website. Issues are presented in a way that is relevant to the lives and learning styles of young people. It provides students with forums for sharing plans and accomplishments and assists educators in mentoring young people to make positive changes in their communities and globally. The program does not solely encourage participation in Free the Children projects, but rather, students are taught how to create their own projects and make changes that are important to them.


Are you ever finished changing the world? Are you ever finished making a difference?? The answer is always "NO!!!!"