The concept of the Flipped Classroom is relatively new to instruction, however, has the potential to be extremely impactful in changing both the way teachers teach and the way students learn. Flipping the classroom is an instructional strategy that reverses the traditional classroom by delivering instruction outside of the classroom, often using an online platform. In a flipped classroom, students watch instructional videos, read online lectures, or conduct basic research at home. After learning the appropriate background information, the learning activities, including those that may have traditionally been considered homework, are moved into the classroom where an expert (the teacher) can help if any questions or problems arise. Below you will find additional information that will help you learn more about flipping your classroom or help you conduct a successful "flip."
It is important for Instructional Technologists to keep up with the flipped classroom because as more and more teachers begin to adopt this model of learning it will be important to have someone who can help them properly flip their classrooms and apply best practices. It is also important for instructional technologists to be aware of the wide range of websites, apps, and other tools that teachers can use to house their flipped classrooms. Flipping a classroom can be intimidating for a teacher at first because there are so many options and models out there, but a properly trained and informed instructional technologist can help make the transition as easy and effective as possible.
Additional Sources of Information:
1. Seven Things you Should Know about the Flipped Classroom: This resource is from Educause Learning Initiative and answers many common questions about the flipped classroom in a succinct yet thorough way.
2. The Flipped Classroom Infograph: This info graph, housed on Knewton, talks about the flipped classroom as a method of teaching that is "turning the traditional classroom on its head."
3. What is Flipped Learning?: Created by the Flipped Learning Network, this brief article describes the "four pillars" of FLIP.
4. Why I Flipped my Classroom: This youtube video was created by a Math teacher that describes why she decided to flip her classroom.
Activity for Application:
It is important for classroom teachers to first try one or two lessons in a flipped classroom format to first see if it is a model that they would like to adopt further. It is my job as an instructional designer to help them learn more about flipping their classrooms and how they can properly manage this new classroom setting.
1. For my activity I would first have them explore, read, and research the four resources above to learn more about the basics of flipping a classroom and to watch a video from a classroom teacher who has successfully completed her flip.
2. I would then ask each teacher to record a lesson, create an interactive slideshow, or find a pre-recorded lesson they would like to use for classroom instruction for the students to complete at home.
3. Finally I would have teachers schedule a meeting with me individually to find the proper house for their flipped classroom (Edline, google classroom, blendspace, or other modes). I will help them find a proper place to add their video/presentation for students to view and review any best practices that I feel like could help them be successful in their flip.
My project on the Flipped Classroom (completed for EIST 6120):
This screencast talks about whether or not the flipped classroom works for different age groups and provides two examples of flipped classroom lectures that I found particularly interesting.