This past week, I have been formally introduced to the concept of Flipping the Classroom. A widespread practice, both K-12 school districts and higher education seek to use this kind of pedagogy to increase the success and achievement of mathematics students. My blog site is dedicated mainly to preparing students for careers in mathematics and math related professions, disciplines. The flipped classroom can be quite instrumental in producing future mathematics or STEM professionals.
In a flipped classroom, students will watch lectures outside of the classroom setting and use the classroom time for enrichment purposes, question and answer sessions, etc. While not practical for every classroom setting, flipped classrooms, it can help educators produce lectures that discuss complex topics and open the floor for discussion. This method of teaching could possibly create an opportunity for the teacher to focus on student engagement and have the time to integrate activities that may be of interest to the 21st century learner. The exposures, in turn, could potentially lead to more students increasing their interest in mathematics or math related subjects. Since the flipped classroom is a growing concept, there isn't any real data that supports my wishful thinking.
As math educators (or any educator), we have to continue to create data based on the experiences that other education professionals share. Scores of teachers are turning the the flipped classroom concept to overcome math anxieties, improve annual test scores, prepare students for AP exams, and help students to grasp collegiate math concepts.
The Khan Academy is one of the sites that I use regularly. Although I have not completely subscribed to the flipped classroom methodology, I have found that assigning lecture readings, using the Khan Academy's resources has enabled me to spend more time in the classroom to focus on enrichment. Hopefully, this enrichment time will lead to more students desiring to branch out into professions that rely on individuals with strong STEM backgrounds.
To learn more about the Khan Academy and how it impacts our classrooms, please read Online video lesson flipping classrooms left and right.
I flipped my algebra and geometry classes this year. The experience has been interesting, frustrating, and encouraging. The first question asked by my students when I explained the concept was, "What if I can't learn this way?" To which another student responded, "It's up to you to try. You only get out of it what you put into it?" The student who asked the initial question has her up days and her down days, but when she leaves her attitude out of the loop, she learns a lot.
ReplyDeleteThe first question the parents asked were "Does this mean our daughters are teaching themselves?" As if standing in front of a group of half interested, half participatory students is really teaching. By the time I was done explaining how this created more time for one-on-one interactions during class, most parents became supportive.
The biggest hurdle with the flipped classroom, or any shift in what people are used to, is getting the students to trust you and do what you ask. The next hurdle is to get the parents to understand they need to stop making excuses for their students.
After reading this post and Louisa's reply- I would have to say the biggest hurdle to get past would be the "But its different" attitude. I would have loved this kind of learning model in school. I think with the advent of the MOOC, iTunesU and other sites, so many students can get SO much information very easily.
ReplyDeleteI will say- before we started researching flipped classrooms, I had no idea what it was. Louisa's infographic really helped put it all into perspective.
I'm so glad that you are all together in the blogging group at the same time that you are planning the flipped classroom discussion!
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