Flipping your classroom may give your instruction a turn for the best

Flipping your classroom may give your instruction a turn for the best

Ever thought about flipping your classroom? Never heard of it? Click the video below:

The idea of students watching lectures outside of class and actually doing their homework or other projects during class time has caught the attention of many educators from elementary to higher ed. With this method, students are able to access lectures wherever, whenever they want using any device they already have. They then come to class ready to apply the core concepts that they have learned. The instructor becomes more of a facilitator or mentor and students get more hands-on experience with the instructor as their guide.

Photo from Flickr by Cherice

Some instructors in higher education are leery about posting their lectures online because they are afraid that students will not show up to class. Don't get me wrong, flipping your classroom is not as simple as posting a few lectures online. They key to the flipped classroom is to give students a reason to come to class. When instructors develop projects that provide students with meaningful experience they will be more likely to participate.  Instructors must create projects that help to develop those core concepts and ask deliberate questions that require students to really think instead of simply regurgitating facts. Start by flipping a few of your lessons. Learn from your mistakes, make note of your successes, and most of all, share and learn from others.

Learn more about Flipped Classrooms: 

Sal Kahn on Liberating the Classroom for Creativity

YouTube Video about Flipping Classrooms

Hear from the two teachers who pioneered this strategy