A Flipped Classroom Concept #cue13

Slowly, but surely I will share more information that I took from the #cue13 conference. I attended a workshop called “Flipping the Secondary English Classroom ” and it was presented by an energetic, passionate Secondary ELA teacher named Kate Petty. @techclassroom Her resources can be found here

Up until this session I was under the impression that a flipped classroom meant more or less paperless and incorporating technology. I hadn’t read a lot of articles concerning it because I thought I knew the basic concepts. I was wrong. The flipped classroom is where the reading and instruction takes place at home, and then the work is done at the school. (I know that you probably knew that as a seasoned pro, but it was news to me)

I have to give Petty credit because she had an individual in the room asking a lot of questions, and she could answer them all. He asked things like “doesn’t this create more work for you? What if students don’t have their own iPads/computers etc? What if they don’t do the work at home? What if they don’t have Internet access at home?”

I do not remember all of her answers, but I can speak to these questions myself from what I have experienced.

I do not think that the flipped model creates more work, just different work. We go from planning 20-40 min lectures/power points/ discussion topics to simply posting the content online. I had a grade 12 student raise their hand during my last Prezi and she said “I don’t understand why teachers make us copy notes or read whats being projected while they talk! I can’t listen and read at the same time.” I stopped and said, “good point,” and did not talk for the rest of the Prezi. It then dawned on me that they don’t need me to read it out! I’d save a lot of valuable class time for all of us if I just posted the material. Plus, if the explanation is not there at first it gives the students time to think and figure it out instead of me immediately explaining it after the slide.

If students do not do the work prior to class, then they will be behind in their personal and group work. It’s not ideal, but what we are doing in classrooms now is not ideal either. It’s the same concept as if they didn’t do their homework that you assigned in class.

As for the technology issues, our school has iPads/computers for teachers to book out and share. Also, students have Internet assess before class, break, lunch and after school that allows them to do any work they may need.

The role of the teacher must change from a lecturer and being the centre of attention, to a guide and mentor. This does not mean that a teacher sits behind his or her desk. In my mind, as soon as the teacher disengages, it gives the impression that what the students are doing isn’t valuable. I like to model the behaviour I want to see in the room. Being at the desk marking, answering the odd question does not have the same affect as walking around, giving feedback, asking questions and giving positive praise. I think about myself, and if my professor or admin is presenting, but is not participating or helping with the task they give, I immediately take the “why should I do it?” attitude.

I have a lot to learn about the flipped model, but I am interested. I have tried a few things in my classroom that I have learned during this conference and I will discuss my experiences with them at a later time. It’s trial and error right now, but I am trying.

Making sense of #cue13

Cue the Resources for CUE

I have no idea how to sum up everything in a few blog posts. If I were to, it would take me a long time to type and then I would stop typing it before sharing it. I’ll make an attempt to share as much as possible in a timely way. After all, I know you are busy because you’re an educator.

The Computer Using Educators conference took place in Palm Springs in March.  They have them at other times too, but what is important to note is while I was gone I shopped, ate, learned and tanned in 30 degree, sunny weather while Regina endured a blizzard.

On Thursday, March 14th  I attended a session called “iPads and Literacy: Where Technology Meets the Book”   done by Andrew Smith. His resources are on his page, so I will talk about what I have done or plan to do with these apps.

Sock Puppets- Your voice/student voice- the puppet talks. Quick, fun, easy way for students to be heard without being seen. I attached some videos my class created for Romeo and Juliet under the Grade 9 ELA section. Their task was to “Sum up” Act One in thirty seconds or less. My instructions were unclear because some students made multiple videos up to 30 seconds, but that was my fault. I did this as a “test” for Act one. Previously, we read the play, did some questions (which helped to sum up what they read) and then did a test. I began questioning this process- why as educators are we teaching the same thing three different ways? Isn’t regurgitation pointless? The students were forced to remember the important parts of Act one, go back and re-read sections, create a script and then produce their final product. The students looked back at their notes and added in exact quotations and made it their own. In my mind, this type of experimental learning is more important than giving a standard test.

 Screen Chomp- sketch and narrate ideas and share. It’s a virtual whiteboard, and you can record everything you do and send it.  My grade 12s are trying this app within the next week or two, and I will share my thoughts and their projects at a later date.

Red Lite- Voice Recorder.  Easy to share, and organize notes. I can see some of my EAL students using this to share their ideas instead of writing. Shy students in class? Perhaps they can have their audio created prior to the presentation. It depends on the outcomes you are trying to achieve.

Chirbit and Red Laser – It generates QR codes that may be scanned and shared. The best part is that a student may record his or her voice and others will hear it when the code is scanned.  I am playing around with this one. I am finding that the Chirbit APP does not have a QR generator option, or it does and I cannot find it. The website allows numerous ways to share the voice thread, but I would rather have the generator in one central location rather than jumping from the app to the website.

iBuildapp.com- Self explanatory, but  this website allows you to build an app. I haven’t played with it yet, but when I do I will post my thoughts.

That sums up what I took from the  first workshop. I am trying to take what I learned and implement it or use it in the classroom. There is a lot to learn, and a lot to do so I am hoping to do little things at a time. The key to successful technology/iPad integration is to go beyond the apps. I am not quite there yet. I find myself concentrating on the apps more, but I’m hoping to change for the better as I learn.