We are almost finished with a full unit of flipped learning. I am still seeing a big impact in students' engagement levels and understanding of content.
A couple things I have learned and modified since starting... - changed the Math Circles grouping for better mix -Google forms-I embed them and share them with students (some students were having trouble filling in the embedded form) -"Your Choice" -students can choose what to work on during class (enrichment/challenge activities, extra practice, different learning style projects, and small group work, one-on-one with me) -Mrs. K (similar to Writers Workshop) -students put their name on the board if they have questions or want help. They continue working until their turn. I had to smile at a conversation I heard two students having. They were bragging about about the amount of notes they took on a video. It made my giggle and so happy because these two students weren't the most engaged before we started flipping. :) One last thing, I gave a flipped PD presentation for my colleagues yesterday. I put it on with my husband, who is also flipping all of his upper school math classes. We structured the workshop like we do our flipped classes and teachers were able to work through videos we created at their own pace while we were available for questions. It went really well and we received great feedback to help us make some tweaks before we present for a chance to go to AASSA conference.
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I've officially flipped math lessons for a week. I am loving it and my students are too! Here are some of their comments about what they like most about flipping:
5A Students say... "What I like more of the flipped learning videos is that is very flexible because you can do it every time and everywhere you want to remember something of the last lesson or you can study too so that is what I like more from the flipped learning videos." "I really like looking at the videos you make with the Prezi because it is more fun than just hearing you. Also because I can go back and check the meaning of words. For example, magnitude." "I like flipped learning because we can watch the video how much times we want." "My favorite part of flipped learning is that you could just go at your pace and not make other people wait and start talking and you could just go on if you understood everything. Also, I like the fact that you could just see the part you did not understand as many times as you want." "The thing that I like the most is that we see things that we are going to learn in the next day of school, just to warm up." "My favorite thing in flipped learning is that we don't just get a worksheet for homework and just doing it, instead its more easy to see the video and learn new staff." "I like that we do our homework in class and we do our work at home." "I like the idea of flipping schoolwork and homework, and watching a video instead of actually listening to the teacher, because when you don't understand, you would have to ask your teacher about it, and it would disturb the class. With flipped learning, we can just go back to the part we didn't understand and just watch it again!" "My favorite thing about flipped learning is that you can view the videos as many times as you want, and that if somebody does not get it, and you got it you don't have to listen to the teacher saying the same thing." "I´m loving everything in flipped learning because I don´t like writing because my hand hurts and I don´t forget sheets of homework, so for my that's better and that's what I like about Flipped learning." Now here's what I am loving about flipping our class... -All students are engaged -Easy to differentiate and meet kids where they are -Students questions about the lesson and quick check questions recorded for documentation -I can work individually with students without leaving other students hanging -Students have choice -My lessons are more focused and concise -Absent students don't have to ask me what they missed -Students are gaining knowledge about their learning styles, who they work well with, and how to reflect on what they truly understand -Immediate feedback for me through the Google form -Students are responsible and working collaboratively to check and teach each other My set up for students accessing the video lessons is simple and familiar to the students. I figured start out small and grow. Currently students go to our class weebly site and go to the "Information for Students" page. Once there they scroll down to "Flipped Learning". From there I hope to organize it by units. It is pretty easy right now because we are in the first unit. As far as each lesson they are basic, without many bells and whistles. I didn't want to distract my students with extra stuff and I know myself, I could spend hours upon hours creating a five minute video. So I created basic Prezis and decided to walk my students through them. I used Screenr to record my voice and screen through the Prezi. Here is an example: After my students watch the video they answer some formative questions for me on a Google form (example below). There is a space to ask questions or write what they are confused about. I check this before our next class so I know who had difficulties and who needs to be pushed/challenged. In class the students come in and begin working on what used to be their homework. When they finish they get into their Math Circles. I put the students into groups with differing levels of readiness based on their MAP tests. I plan for the groups to change depending on which skill band we are working on. Each Math Circle has four jobs, a discussion director, referee, calculator, and spokespearson. I introduced the jobs and role expectations today and students practiced checking their understanding of the video and assigned work together. We reflected on what went well and what we can improve. One student suggested we add a timer to a job description, while another student said we need to monitor our voices so we can all focus. Don't you love it when students suggest ideas you have?! It brings much more meaning to the class.
That's it for now. So far so good. Flipping my class has been a lot of work, but I can already see some benefits. I am just trying to make sure I keep my video lessons simple, yet powerful. One of flaws is being a perfectionist and comparing myself to others, so I'm trying to just do what is needed and put my focus into created authentic activities and projects to reinforce skills and expand my students' understanding. Does anyone have any suggestions? I would love to hear them! A little Devo's Whip It reference for 80s children, but in all seriousness I am so excited. I want to document my flipped journey, for myself and others. I hope to be able to look back and learn from my mistakes and successes.
Last week I gave a sneak peek of flipped learning to my students and they were ready to start the next day! I on the other hand needed to plan a bit more and try to figure out the best way of accessing my videos. In the end I decided to just post them on my weebly site, because the kids are already familiar with it and I didn't want to overwhelm them with signing up for schoology and having to learn another system. Last night we had Open House and I introduced the concept to my students' parents in person. They seemed to be excited and intrigued. I was very upfront in explaining this is new to me and it will be a learning process for everyone involved. Fast forward to today, I assigned the first flipped video for homework tonight. We went over how to access the videos, what to do during the video, and their tasks for after the video. I am starting simple, my lesson was only about 8 minutes. They have a view places to pause and try a problem or two. After the video they are answering three questions about the content and there is a place for them to write any questions they have. I'll update tomorrow about h |
AuthorMrs. K has been teaching for eight years. She has taught in three different countries and loves each one for its uniqueness. Archives
October 2014
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