So you've read all about it, you've got all excited and can see the benefits to flipping your classroom and you're ready to get started. I've been asked a few times, "what is the best way to get started when flipping your classroom?"
Here we go then, a short, to the point guide to setting up your own flipped classroom.
Step 1: Decide which technology you will use.
Whether you use a low tech or high tech
approach, choose something that suits you and your students. You must feel comfortable with what
you’re using. You really don’t
want to be spending hours editing video and getting frustrated, when a hand
written example could do the job.
If you are creating videos, keep it short and
to the point. Don’t expect your
students to sit through a 45-minute video if you wouldn’t.
Step 2: Decide where you are going to upload your videos? How do my students access them?
Again, find something that suits you and your
students. You could simply upload to YouTube or Vimeo and give the students a
link to the video or host them on a social media site like Twitter, FaceBook,
Showbie or Edmodo.
Personally, I upload my videos to YouTube as
it available everywhere and on every device. I then post the link on our class Edmodo page so everyone
can comment and share thoughts and ideas – start the learning before school
starts.
Bottom line - make sure your videos can be
accessed on multiple devices. Can everybody access your videos on a smartphone,
tablet or laptop?
Step 3: Start making your videos
Your videos need to be short, to the point
and entertaining. Don’t spend huge amounts of time editing, refining and adding
in fancy transitions – You’re the entertainment.
If you don’t want to perform on video, use screen-casting
applications like Explain Everything, Vittle or QuickTime. They record your movements on screen
and your narration. Ask questions during the video, encourage your students to
pause and have a go, and then check the answer.
Finally, decide how long you want your videos
to be, longer videos for older students and shorter for younger.
Step 4: Introduce the concept to your students and parents
You really need to spend time on this part.
Maybe use a detailed letter home, hold a presentation evening, but ultimately
make sure you keep all stakeholders in the loop. Be honest and clear with everyone – this is why I’m doing this.
Spend a session with your students teaching
them how to watch a video, make notes and write down next steps. Model the
whole process for them, sell the concept and make it exciting.
Step 5: Make sure everyone has watched the videos
There are a few ways to make sure your
students have watched the videos and you need to find a way that you feel
comfortable with. Give the
children a sheet to complete their notes on to bring to the next session,
detailing what they learned and their next steps.
You could use a simple quiz at the start of
the session to ascertain if your students have watched and understood the
content of the video. None of
these are fool proof, but it gives you an idea of who’s completed their
pre-learning.
You are aiming for the children to feel
accountable and ultimately be independent learners in time. They will see the
benefit of flipped learning soon enough.
Step 6: Keep going and don’t give up!
Flipped learning takes time to embed in the
classroom, but don’t give up. It will be hugely beneficial when it is fully
embedded in your classroom and will give you more time with your students to
push them further in their learning.
Using videos will enable students to view or
review a piece of learning at anytime and anywhere. Students, parents and teacher will be put on a level playing
field every time you put a video online.
Have a go, try to flip one lesson, one
subject or one class for a term and see what the impact has been on you and
your students. Remember you are
still the biggest resource for the children and by using this approach you are
giving them more access to you.
Good luck.
Twitter: @chriswaterworth
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