Journal 3

This relates to NETS-T I.

Fulton, K. (2012, June/July). Upside down, and inside out: Flip your classroom to improve student learning. Learning & Leading, 39(8), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/issues/Upside_Down_and_Inside_Out.aspx

The article Upside down, and inside out, discusses the concept of the “flipped classroom”. Developed a few years ago by science teachers in Colorado, the concept describes an environment in which lessons and lectures are provided to the students electronically and viewed at home. The students then work through what was presented the night before in class with the help of the teacher. The teachers are able to spend more time one on one with the students and the feedback they receive regarding students’ progress is immediate.

    A high school in Minnesota decided to initiate the “flipped classroom” concept for their math department. The program proved to be successful as they saw increases in student learning and achievement as well as improvement in external standardized exams. The positive results went beyond the measurable student gains. They found their staff developed a closer bond as they worked through the development of the program, and it assisted their professional growth, as the teachers were able to view their colleagues lessons and compare them to their own.

    There were challenges that were presented during the program, including classroom management. In a typical classroom, teachers goal is to get the students to listen to their lesson and be quietly engaged. The flipped classroom is an environment where the students are actively, and loudly, working which can prove hard to keep everyone on track. A challenge that the parents had was the access the students needed to the home computer.

Q1: Can the program be implemented in areas of lower income, where families may not have the hardware at home for the students to view the lessons?

This would be a large concern for any teacher attempting to “flip” their classroom. As discussed in the article there are other ways than the internet for the students to receive the lessons. However, in some low income areas families may not have a computer or a DVD player. It would need to be ensured that these students had access to a computer at a library or community center before “flipping” the classroom.

Q2: Would the lessons viewed at home increase the time spent at home on school work?

It seems like this would and the risks should be considered before starting this program. Depending on how long the lessons were there could be hours of time in front of a computer instead of engaged in extra curricular activities. This is a concern with the increase in childhood obesity and the need for more exercise.