I recently stumbled upon an article entitled “Five Ways to Flip Your Classroom” in the New York Times. Authors of the article, Holly Epstein Ojalvo and Shannon Doyne, advocate a “flipped classroom” in which, “instructional content is delivered outside of class, and engagement with the content…is done within class, under teacher guidance and in collaboration with peers.” In implementing this flipped classroom structure, they emphasized the importance of technological integration.
I found this “flipped classroom” structure to be particularly interesting because through using PowerPoint presentation, Teacher Tube, Khan Academy, podcasts, and various instructional videos, students car peruse information at their convenience and spend as much time, or as little time, as necessary for them to master the content being presented. Likewise, I feel that this would be beneficial to students because if they are unclear or confused about a topic being presented, they have the ability to access class materials and review them as much as they feel is necessary without feeling that they are slowing down their class.
As the article states, the integration of these technologies can also assist in classrooms with large class sizes of forty or so students. Through having podcasts of lectures and other instructional materials and videos available to students online, teachers can eliminate the need to repeatedly re-explain concepts since students can review the video or audio clip to clarify anything they may have missed. Thus, teachers can provide more individualized and structured attention to students within the classroom setting.
Although I feel that this “flipped classroom” is interesting, I worry that relying on too much technology as a mode of instruction may prove to be a hindrance for students rather than an aid. It is quite possible that students would neglect to watch or review the online materials intended to deliver instructional content and thus the teacher would be unable to facilitate engagement with the content within the context of the classroom. This approach heavily emphasizes students taking the initiative to review content on their own time, which I feel may not be the best approach despite the fact I feel that the video clips and instructional materials would undoubtedly be beneficial to students. I feel that the technology used in this approach should not eliminate classroom instruction but rather supplement it and serve as an extension and review of what is covered in class.
Ellen, you are completely right in your understanding of this article. I too believe that "this approach should not eliminate classroom instruction but rather supplement it and serve as an extension and review of what is covered in class". It is very interesting what this "flipped classroom" can do for classroom instruction, but I think that like any other technology, it should be used to enhance and not to substitute. Like you emphasized in your blog, "relying on too much technology as a mode of instruction may prove to be a hindrance for students rather than an aid," and therefore should not be taken to the extreme. I think that as teacher, these tools are definitely going to help us engage our students and like you said, it will help them if they are having trouble with something that is being done in class. Yet, it can not be taken as more than a simple aid.
ReplyDeleteMy first question after reading your post is what grade levels is this technique being used? Like you mentioned, I fear that high school aged students have not yet developed the individual responsibility skills required to teach themselves. I think the flipped classroom has a great idea fueling it but I think overall, it may give too much freedom to the students. If the students are learning outside of the classroom, will classroom time be properly managed? If students do not take the essential initiative to teach themselves, class time will inadvertently be dedicated to teaching rather than the original idea of "engaging with content". No matter my concerns, the idea of the flipped classroom is moving in the right direction by integrating technology and teaching the value of student directed learning.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you completely. The concept of a flipped classroom is incredibly appealing and intriguing. The issue is that students scaffold their learning as much or as little as they like. Student autonomy can be a benefit for many students, but there will always be the few who do the bare minimum and sometimes these few unfortunately outnumber the others.
ReplyDeleteEllen,
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of a flipped classroom, but similar to what you mention I think there should be a limitation on just how much technology is being used in the classroom. What happens when there is no internet? What happens when websites aren't loading? There should definitely be back up ideas/plans that can be implemented in order assure learning to the fullest. I like the concept, however classroom instruction should not solely rely on technology. While a lot of these technologies serve as great teaching aids and tools, it is necessary to decipher what will "hinder" the learning process and what will "help." I like this article very much because as a new teacher, you learn how to control just how much technology is appropriate for your class.