Well, the Flipped Classroom is an interesting idea. I think that it would be beneficial for students to be able to learn at their own pace at home - listen to the lesson as much as they want, rewind, etc. and be able to get directed attention from the teacher while doing the work in class. I also think that there would be downfalls. For example, the lessons would have to be designed so that they did not include some technologies that teachers could present in the classroom. For example, in science, you can SHOW a student in a video the parts of a microscope but usually its more beneficial to explore it with them. Although I so understand that you could just as well have a lesson about microscopes and show the microscope as a review in class the next day. In addition, I personally believe it limits students because they cannot ask questions to clarify the point as the lecture is going on. Although it could be possible to have the teacher available each night for a certain time so that some students that do ask more questions could watch it and ask the teachers questions live.
There also leaves no room for improv in the classroom, which I think is important also. Like I said before, these things could be addressed the next day, but for example if a student asks a question in a "normal" lesson, the teacher could incorporate details during the rest of the lesson that continually answer the questions that the students had. If it's prerecorded, it leaves no room for that.
I do understand the concept and the logic behind the Flipped Classroom, and it would be good for some lessons, but I just don't think it appropriate for ALL of my lessons as a biology teacher.
The points you made about the possible downfalls of the flipped classroom are definitely relevant, especially if you are talking about a science classroom. I would agree that science is definitely a subject that needs hands on activities to really learn and understand. I guess if the lecture was really just an introduction and the real activities were done in class it may work. Perhaps the flipped classroom could be used only occasional in a science class as an introduction, review, or as a supplement. I think we can all agree that as far as science goes, hands on activities, labs, and teacher availability are crucial for student success.
ReplyDeleteThe idea that the flipped classroom might be more apropo for one subject area over another is very important to grasp. Biology tends to be very hands on, something that s flipped classroom doesn't really cater to. On the other hand my core area, history, lends itself to lectures, something that a flipped classroom is well suited for. Also the impromptu questioning that you noted would be lacking, does tend to add a lot to a lesson and often times provides clarification.
ReplyDeletei agree, in history we most likely arent going to flip the classroom, however, if we could it would be very beneifcial to the students. i firmly believe that it you teach something of anything to someone you learn it all the more better, you become a professional at it and therefore it stays with you forever. i thought this exercise was a good tool to use, especially for hands on material like this class. i think it is good to have the students do this to learn more, but i know when my turn comes i will be stressed galore!
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