It was interesting to read some of the push-back in the discussions on flipping the classroom, for I too have had many of those same thoughts and hesitations.
One reason that has held me up is the notion of ‘homework’ in general. The whole concept of ‘flipping’ assumes that you give homework in the first place. My previous school was a very sports driven school. Every other kid was on a ‘Rep’ soccer or hockey team, or had Dance five nights a week. I tend to believe that kids lives are very busy these days and have found that too much homework either simply doesn’t get done, or, it raises anxiety levels through the roof. However, I do see that the idea of giving a 10-20 minute video, that is most likely entertaining and/or informative could change the perception of traditional ‘homework’ and turn it into something that could be a family event, leading to discussion and engagement.
Another issue that concerns me is that of students actually doing the viewing at home. On Friday afternoons, I have been highly promoting Collaborate sessions for one hour. I talk about it during the week, and I send out an email the night before. Thus far, I have had a maximum of 5-6 kids show up out of 32. I understand that some parents are working and some kids have activities, however, these are not promising enough numbers for me to feel confident that this group of students would watch a pre-recorded video, or attend a live session on any given week night.
One thing I have struggled with this year more than ever is getting students to pay attention, and not talk, while I am talking. Traditionally I am pretty good at asking for, and getting 100% buy in (OK, maybe 95%, or at least the appearance of) when I am talking. These kids however, I have come to realize, come from a different world. Many of them have been used to being home-schooled and have never really had to listen to someone deliver information to a group of thirty kids. It is, to be honest, not really fair to ask them to, all of a sudden, change their ways and force them into a ‘sage on the stage’ atmosphere which I try to avoid in the first place. This is where flipping the classroom may be a brilliant alternative that could potentially save me this constant battle of forcing them to do something that I know is hard for them.
Andrew
One reason that has held me up is the notion of ‘homework’ in general. The whole concept of ‘flipping’ assumes that you give homework in the first place. My previous school was a very sports driven school. Every other kid was on a ‘Rep’ soccer or hockey team, or had Dance five nights a week. I tend to believe that kids lives are very busy these days and have found that too much homework either simply doesn’t get done, or, it raises anxiety levels through the roof. However, I do see that the idea of giving a 10-20 minute video, that is most likely entertaining and/or informative could change the perception of traditional ‘homework’ and turn it into something that could be a family event, leading to discussion and engagement.
Another issue that concerns me is that of students actually doing the viewing at home. On Friday afternoons, I have been highly promoting Collaborate sessions for one hour. I talk about it during the week, and I send out an email the night before. Thus far, I have had a maximum of 5-6 kids show up out of 32. I understand that some parents are working and some kids have activities, however, these are not promising enough numbers for me to feel confident that this group of students would watch a pre-recorded video, or attend a live session on any given week night.
One thing I have struggled with this year more than ever is getting students to pay attention, and not talk, while I am talking. Traditionally I am pretty good at asking for, and getting 100% buy in (OK, maybe 95%, or at least the appearance of) when I am talking. These kids however, I have come to realize, come from a different world. Many of them have been used to being home-schooled and have never really had to listen to someone deliver information to a group of thirty kids. It is, to be honest, not really fair to ask them to, all of a sudden, change their ways and force them into a ‘sage on the stage’ atmosphere which I try to avoid in the first place. This is where flipping the classroom may be a brilliant alternative that could potentially save me this constant battle of forcing them to do something that I know is hard for them.
Andrew