Flippin' Out: Our experiences with Flip Teaching

5/18/2011

This year we took a few educational risks. During our rather large Middle Ages WebQuest project between our two schools we tried some "flip teaching". Flip teaching is a new idea in which teachers give students the opportunity to listen to a podcast lecture and background information before entering the classroom so that class time can be spent working with teaching guidance. During our Computer-side chats we gave students an opportunity to listen to our lectures on their own time. Students could come into class with the lecturing part of the lesson out of the way. This gave students, and us, time to work on projects, dig deeper for information and answer questions.

In our final flip teaching of the year, we started with an essential question. Then we worked backwards through history. We used examples of what is going on in the modern world and linked that to concepts from the Age of Exploration. We discussed inventions, trade, push/pull factors and other concepts linked to our state standards. We did not use a script, rather we told the story of Exploration: Why do people explore?; and What are the consequences of that exploration?.

One big drawback to Flip Teaching is that fact that not all students will sit down and listen to a lecture/conversation from their teaching at home. But, some students can sit in front of you in a classroom and not listen to what you are saying as well. Using Flip Teaching, the students that do listen to the lecture are free to learn in the classroom while the teacher is available to help. Below are some student comments from our blog concerning our Computer-side chats...

Thank you! This gave me a lot of information, and it was worth the time listening to. I really will miss this class and all of the Skyping and the blogs :D Thank you again

it's sort of sad to know that this is the last one, but thank you for posting them :). They help a lot.

This was so helpful! The computer side chats are always very interesting to listen to. Thanks for making them!

What you both do for your students is incredible! These chats really help me, and you both are leaving VERY good digital footprints for all those other people out there listening on! Great work, and you guys are the best teachers ever!

11 Comments

Amy H

6/22/2011 01:42:02 am

This is an excellent idea that could be implemented in my Biology course. I use Khan Academy on youtube as my "teachable videos" that students can view from their ipod or computer. They can watch the videos as many times as they like. Then, I can create PBL lessons that we can do together in class. It's much more engaging and interesting to the students, and allows them to utilize the teacher, me, as a facilitator, rather than just a lecturer. Never knew this method had a name, flip teaching, but love it in practice!

Garth

6/22/2011 03:53:13 am

A youtube with Alan November interviews two science teachers who are flipping. That might be helpful. It is 39 minutes into this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Tf9jocM4lQ

Ralph Belfiglio link

6/26/2011 08:35:39 am

I really like the idea of flip teaching for students with special needs. Students with special needs often times need help taking lecture notes and using flip teaching can allow these students to pause a podcast in order to write. Also, students that may have shorter attention spans for lectures can take small doses at a time.

Marissa M. link

6/27/2011 02:26:09 am

I really like this idea. As stated in the entry, though, I would be concerned about just how many of my students would actually do the reading/listening to lectures at home. However, I feel like the incentive of actually having help on the portions of the class that will be graded would be very motivating. At least, for me, anyway. I really like this idea.

Nic Valentino

7/5/2011 02:17:25 am

This is really nice. I agree that it will be hard to get all students to listen to the podcasts. However, if by some miracle they do, then they will be much better prepared for class. I think that even colleges can be better off by doing this.

Elizabeth S

7/5/2011 02:20:34 am

I love the idea of flip teaching. It just makes so much sense. I want to be a Math teacher and everyday teachers stand in the front of the classroom and lecture right up until the bell rings. Students then go home with mounds of homework and no idea how to do it. Not only do they not understand it, but who do they ask when they need help? Certainly not their parents that's for sure. Then when they show up the next day for class they are even further behind as the teacher continues to build I something they were already confused about. Why not have them view the lecture at home and do the work in class? It just makes so much sense! Great idea that I would love to give a try.

Becky

7/5/2011 10:58:45 pm

I have never heard of teaching this way but I love it! Why tell students what they need to know, then send them home to practice with homework, where we are not there to help them? This is a great idea!

Julie Russo

7/7/2011 12:47:45 am

I think that Flip Teaching is an important way to teach students. It is better than just giving a lesson, then writing notes. This classroom time can be more in depth of what students may discuss what they learned or are interested about. It involves creativity, and the uses of Bloom's Technology. I would definitely use this method in my future classrooms.

Brian Gehlbach

7/7/2011 02:34:49 am

I really like the idea of the flip teaching. Teachers no longer have to devote the first half of the class to lecture. Now they can provide students with the lecture via video or another way and the students come into class ready to learn. Students can jump right into the lesson and feel comfortable doing it.

Daphne Huggins link

7/18/2011 02:39:59 am

Wow! What an innovative idea! Instead of having students read a chapter of a textbook, engage them in a podcast to understand some concepts before class! I love it. Students will be able to engage themselves in learning more through technology rather than the plain textbook method. I would love to use this idea in my future classroom.

Matt MarLett

7/21/2011 02:30:25 am

I especially like the idea of the podcast and the limitless possibilities it presents. Students can access information on their own time and have the luxury of pausing or replaying the audio.

Flippin' Out: Our experiences with Flip Teaching

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