The Flipped Classroom

There are mixed emotions about the flipped classroom with me.  I really like the concept of the students learning from doing, but the evaluation method is the hardest for me.  I like the method of pen and paper.  The teacher gives the student information that has been taught and they regurgitate the information back to them.  This is an easy way to gauge understanding.  I realize this is not the best way.  Children learn from doing.  Doing and learning from other is the way of the future. This is fantastic.  The downside is planning, planning, planning.  Once the planning is done, the hard work is over.  Teachers need to be able to answer questions and work one on one with the students.  Getting out of the box is hard, but once out, it can be so liberating.  The goal is to allow students the opportunity to work together, learn from each other, and learn to be problem solvers.

Alan November

I watched both of Alan November's conferences and enjoyed each of them.  He spoke right on cue with what the District is trying to get us to do now, which is allowing the teachers to facilitate and put the students in charge of discovering information and sharing it with other students.  They can do this with using Google Docs, podcast (which I have no idea how to do since I don't even own an IPod), and other collaborative means.  We need to change the classroom dynamics.  I plan on using Google Docs this year and having an account for each of my students.  I plan on allowing them to use the computers in the classroom to do their writing and research.  I especially liked the idea of using Google even more and setting up research material for the students to use for special research projects.  This will narrow down the information for them so they do not become overwhelmed, and I can ensure the material is appropriate before they use it.  My goal is to establish high performing work teams for more successful students.

Google Docs

Google Docs is an excellent tool to use with any age group.  After viewing the slide show of the different ways to use it in your classroom, I look forward to teaching next school year and using it.  This is such a remarkable way to engage students into collaborative work.  I plan to use the Google Docs in writing and science.  There are so many different ways to allow the students to explore and build on what others are thinking.  Thank you, Justin, for showing me tools that are at my fingertips to help my students learn with fun.