Flipped Learning

What is flipped learning?

           According to The Flipped Learning Network the definition of Flipped Learning is "a pedagogical approach in which direct instruction moves from the group learning space to the individual learning space, and the resulting group space is transformed into a dynamic, interactive learning environment where the educator guides students as they apply concepts and engage creatively in the subject matter". 

          This would mean that the child would be responsible for watching videos or using other multimedia tools to guide them through instruction at home, and that once they would come to class they would be held accountable for making sure they learned the material and be able to apply it in class using reinforcing activities. The reason why it is called flipped learning is because it takes the traditional learning model and completely flips it upside down. 

           As far as this being the end all be all as far as once the classroom is flipped there is no going back, that is simply not the case. As Mrs. Darche would say " there should not be an all or nothing approach when it comes to learning, except have fun!". I completely agree with this I think for certain topics this would work very well, where as for others it would pose to be more challenging. Now of course challenges are always good, however it needs to be a judgment call that the teacher makes for each topic and decide which approach will be best. 

          As a now adult learner studying to be an educator I can't help but think back through the years to how I learned. I struggled very early on in terms of reading, which may be related to me being the youngest in the grade and just being a little behind as far as that goes, but in first grade I needed the extra help. Then after receiving it I became on of the best and fastest readers. I remember in grammer school always getting A's and B's and I got a C on a progress report and my grandparents used to take care of me after school, and I cried and cried over this C, so my grandpa said "Well, let's just make it go away." So, he decided the best idea was to shred the progress report, and that it would also get me to stop crying (which it did). My mom wasn't too happy about the shredding part, but the C she was okay with after all it was only a progress report and there was the opportunity to bring the grade up. 

          I watched my brother struggle in school , and he showed very little motivation or interest in even going. My mom practically had to hold his hand every step of the way to get him to go to school and for him to get his work done. So for someone like my brother do I think the flipped classroom would work...No. But, on the flipside (get it!) I don't think the traditional classroom worked that well either. He was just a kid who didn't want to be there, and just barely made it across the stage.

         I didn't want my mom to ever have to worry about helping me when it came to school. I was very independent and always knew what I had to do and made sure I got everything done. I did carry the whole being really hard on myself thing with me though throughout my school career. I was never satisfied with less than a B. For the way I learn, I think the flipped classroom would have worked then as well as now. I would of actually really liked this style of learning growing up because I think having the reinforcemnet inside the classroom allows you to have the teacher there to answer any questions and aid in the learning process as its happening, instead of being confused when you are at home, and not having anyone there to clarify or help you critically think to get the answer. 

That's all for now!

Danielle