If you Flip it, will it Flop?

I still remember the day I updated my Interwrite Pad software and a tab labeled "record" showed up on the menu bar.  When I realized you could record every action you created on the Interwrite software and save it as a video, I was like a kid in a candy store.  Immediately, I started creating videos.  The first videos I made were used more for remediation and review.  I created the videos, so children could get extra help if they didn't understand something in class.  

I first read about the idea of flipping the classroom in a newsletter I get from SmartBrief.   By the title I thought flipping the classroom had something to do with reversing roles and having the kids teach.  I couldn't see how that would work.  When I read more about it, it became very clear to me that this was a great idea.  I loved the idea that the kids would be able to watch the videos as many times as they needed.  I also saw the benefits of the child being able to do something I'm sure they sometimes wish they could do in class, pause me.  I could even picture a kid at football practice with a parent sitting on the sidelines watching the video on their smartphone and then telling the child about it on the way home.  The most important aspect that really got me was that instead of standing in front of the kids lecturing, I would be able to walk around and help them with their "homework".

I graduated from creating videos on Interwrite software to using Camtasia and this allowed me to make better quality videos.  They were to watch the videos at home for homework.  The videos I created were between 10 and 15 minutes.  They were required to keep a journal and write notes while they watched the video.  This was a way for me to keep track of whether they watched the video and it also provided them with notes that could be helpful in class.

In class, I divided the kids into 3 groups that had from 7-10 students in each group.  One group would be working on math problems that allowed them to practice what was taught on the previous night's video.  This is the work that in the past was given as homework and it usually consisted of a workbook page.    Another group would be working on a project that would help them apply the math skill we were working on.  The final group would be working on practice problems at the computer or on another device with Internet.

I was amazed at how successful flipping my math class was.  All students improved on the math assessments.  Those students that typically struggle in math were making A's.  The kids also really enjoyed doing math this way.  There were times when a child did not watch the video that was assigned and there were students that did not have access to the Internet at home.  I only required them to bring a note from a parent and they were excused.  I also had them watch the video the first thing in the morning and take their notes.  By the time math time came around, everyone had watched the video lesson and taken notes.

During math, I was able to walk around and visit anyone that needed help in any of the 3 groups.  The great thing is that many times the kids in the groups were helping each other and I didn't need to help them.  I didn't even tell them to do this.  It just happened.  It also wasn't always the "Math Wiz" that was being the helper.  Sometimes the kids that usually struggled were helping the other kids.  I strongly recommend flipping the classroom.  I've only done it in math but it was very successful.  I do believe that you have to do it correctly for it to be successful.  Your videos should be short and to the point and you shouldn't try to cover too much information.  Your video doesn't have to be as good as an episode of Good Luck Charley but you should try to make it as interesting as possible.  I tried to make sure the same personality that cracks my students up in the classroom was also on each video I made.  I told jokes and talked in different accents at times.  I'm sure my jokes were only funny to me but they were important because that is the way I am in class.  I think it's also important to provide kids with tasks that will allow them to apply the math skills they are learning on the video.

Below is a link to the second video I made.  Since I'm not perfect, you may catch a little mistake I made in the beginning.  The kids sure did :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_elD8rRGWBU&feature=player_embedded#!

Should We Beat Ourselves Up Over Test Scores?

When I look back on this last school year, I really have mixed feelings.  I have to admit, my kids test scores were lower than they probably have ever been before.  I have racked my brain trying to figure out why this happened.  I've come to the conclusion that it's not just one thing.  I could blame the schedule, the kids, or myself but the real truth is that my goal for the kids was never to make them score higher on a test.

This year I gave up control in my class.  Does that mean kids were hanging from the ceiling and running around the room like animals?  Of course not.  It just means that I gave the kids many more choices than I ever had in my career.  I went away from the traditional set up of me standing in front of the kids and lecturing them.  I let them choose their own groups, seating arrangements and resources for learning.  I provided them with the standards, created pages of resources on my website and provided them with any materials they needed.  They had access to laptops, cell phones, desktop computers, iPads, iPods and other devices.  They chose all kinds of ways to show their learning.  They built models, made videos, created rap songs, used Web 2.0 applications and found other creative ways to show what they learned.  I saw them improve at collaborating, creating, public speaking, researching and in some cases even leading.  Many even got better at trouble shooting the devices they were using.  They were still given assessments so I could give them a grade.  It would be a lie if I said there were no behavior problems or struggles.  There were both.  Welcome to the real world.  All of this may sound good but it didn't necessarily result in higher test scores.

Should my main goal as a teacher be to prepare them for a standardized test or should my main goal be to turn them into 21st century learners?  That is a very hard question to answer.  Parents want to see test scores improve.  I don't think most parents would be able to recognize if their child has become more creative or a better collaborator.  I don't think they would even care about that.  However, we are told that today's workforce desires creativity, collaboration and critical thinking.

In a perfect world, this type of learning would always result in higher test scores for every student.  This is not a perfect world and I don't think that is ever going to happen.  That doesn't mean that I wont spend the next school year trying to make that happen.