Flipped Learning

http://www.eschoolnews.com/2010/12/22/teachers-turn-learning-upside-down/

eSchool News Technology News for Today’s K-20 Educator

Teachers’ turn learning upside down

‘Inverted learning’ allows students to practice what they learn under the guidance of their classroom teacher By Meris Stansbury, Associate Editor

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Article review by Sandy Beech

Flipped learning or Inverted learning is an instructional strategy that gives the students an iPad and earphones and asks them to watch 10 to 15 minute chunks of instruction at home the night before a lesson a few times a week.  Next they answer comprehension questions, using Moodle Learning Management System.  The next day, students apply the concepts through guided practice, small groups. The teacher works with these groups and scaffolds learning. 

 The teacher using Flipped Learning says it increases student engagement, student achievement, and meets many types of personalized learning.  There is a great video attached to this article were the teachers and students describe how Flipped learning works and how it has been received.  In short, the teachers say they will not give up the Flipped learning strategy.  

As I read this, for me, flipped learning is described as upside down because the students don't take home homework after the instruction, they take home the instruction and come back and do the activities, or guided practice, or homework... schoolwork, if you will. 

The 'sage-on-the-stage' is going home with the students.  Maybe the parents will become more engaged as a byproduct of this strategy.  

When I first began reading this article, I was skeptical of the strategy.  I thought, now we are going to reading to the students.  Then, I thought about the difference between mini lessons and reading a text that is above grade level and not in mini chunks.  As I read and could grasp the whole concept, it is very intriguing.  Students can watch the teacher’s mini lesson more than once, they answer comprehension questions to prove they did watch the video and was attentive.  Additionally, the teachers using this strategy say the time gained in the classroom to allow the students to problem solve is greater and the results are paying off.