Pros:
- The teacher can spend more time one on one.
- Students learn at own pace.
- Allows students who are absent to still view lessons.
- Parents can know what their students are learning and help their children.
Cons:
- Students spend even more time looking at a screen.
- Video lessons means more homework and there is no evidence homework helps achievement.
- Not all students have a computer or internet access.
The idea of a flipped classroom has one major flaw. Its very similar to taking online courses which are not very successful because people wont do them or wont finish them. When students are young the last thing they want to see is more of their teacher at home. They want to do other things that are not school related.
I could see how incorporating this idea can be beneficial on a limited basis. If the teacher creates a good video lesson that can be reused in other classes or in other school years I can see how this could be a great tool for the teacher. This would have to be on a limited basis. I don't think it would work if students had to view videos of their teacher's lecture on a nightly basis. I could see how a flipped classroom could help for major assignment or assignments during long breaks. Overall, I think the "flipped classroom" could be a good idea as long as the teacher does not abuse its use.
Rick, I disagree with your one major flaw. I think the major flaw is the fact that students don't all have equal internet access at home. The point that you bring up about students not doing the lesson because it is online is a failure on the teacher's part. The Educase article does say that the model is easy to get wrong. If the teacher doesn't motivate the student then yes, you are right the student probably won't do the lesson. Those that don't however are the same students that don't do homework in any shape, on paper or otherwise. ALL students want to do things other than school things at home, if it was up to children, they wouldn't go to school at all I'd imagine. Between teaching children responsibility and the teacher creating productive, informative and engaging lessons, both for the home and the activities in the classrooms there might be a benefit to our classrooms. This is just my opinion, of course. I do agree with your comment about the teacher not abusing the method.
ReplyDeleteThanks Megan, I appreciate your perspective.
ReplyDeleteRick- This is a relevant topic for EDUC 422 and I like how you thought about pros and cons of the subject and how it would apply to your future classroom. I agree that it is like taking an online course, but one of benefits of the Flipped classroom is the ability to spend as much time as it takes to learn the subject matter. But you also make a good point that this is homework and if the students do not do the homework before the class time they will have nothing to contribute and they would find themselves farther and farther behind. Good analysis on the subject.
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