The Flipped Classroom

Every Monday we have three hours worth of professional development in our district.  Today's topic was "The Flipped Classroom", which I have heard about through Pinterest, but don't know much else, other than what the chart below shows.  We are expected to use this strategy in our classroom at least once before the end of the school year and then it is the expectation that all classrooms, K-8th grade, utilize it next year.

The idea of the flipped classroom is that for homework, the class would watch a video that delivers content to prepare them for the following day.  For example, I would make a video about multiplying 2-by-2 digit numbers that would teach them how to solve these type of problems and then I would include several examples for them to try on their own.  The following day, they would return to class with the completed practice problems and would be given a short quiz (maybe 5 questions) to see who has a clear grasp on the math skill.  Those students that earn 80% or higher would move onto an extension activity to challenge them.  Students that earn less than an 80% would receive immediate feedback to correct any errors that are occurring.

Here is an overview of what a flipped classroom is:

Created by Knewton and Column Five Media

Pro's of The Flipped Classroom:

• increase in in-class homework completion
• extension menus/projects
• grades improve due to completion of assignments
• 1:1 teacher support
• build relationships with students
• decrease in negative behaviors

You might ask ... what happens during the time that used to be spent teaching the whole group?

• group discussions
• experiments, projects, debates
• enrichment games
• cross curricular activities
• discuss questions that arose while watching the video the night before
• collaboration with another class

While researching this idea, I thought it was interesting to see one website recommend having one teacher flip their classroom and collect data on its success, while another teacher doesn't flip their classroom and collects the same data.  Then both teachers can compare to see its effectiveness.  I think this would be a GREAT way to get staff buy in if you have data to back up why this model is effective.  Plus, I think it's always easier to roll out a program when you have staff members that have piloted it and worked out all of the "bugs" that could arise during implementation.

One of my biggest questions regarding the idea of a flipped classroom is ... what do I do with the students that consistently come in without their homework completed, even though their parents have been contacted and are aware of the problem?  Thoughts?

Here are some Facebook groups I've joined to see if they have some useful information about the flipped classroom:

• The Flipped Classroom
• Flipped Classroom
• Katie Gimbars Flipped Classroom

I'm going to be looking at trying this idea out next week in my reading block, so we shall see how it goes!  Wish me luck!