Click on the link below to read about flipped classrooms and to watch the CNN video: http://schoolsofthought.blogs.cnn.com/2012/01/18/my-view-flipped-classrooms-give-every-student-a-chance-to-succeed/Do you think the "flipped classroom" is the remedy that will reduce the large failure rate in our nation's schools? Post a comment explaining why or why not you think this strategy will work?
215 comments:
1 – 200 of 215 Newer› Newest»I believe what the principal at Clintondale High is attempting to do in his school is truly incredible. Some are not as fortunate as others to have the reasources avalible in schools. He has taken a bad situation, and improved it drastically. His view points on doing homework in school is such an excellent idea. By doing this, they are able to ensure that the students are doing their work correct. Also by doing this the students are able to ask questions right away, and grasp a better understanding on the spot. From doing things like this he has helped improved the grades of many students. It is truly incredible that he cares this much about his school as well as his students. He is a man to look up to, and learn from.
Greg Green has decided to take a bad situation and find a solution. He has decided to avoid the blame game and look into other options. I believe that Greg has developed a new and improved method of structure in schools. The best part about the new method is that students will be able to do their homework in class. This new method is great for teachers and students because now students have access to necessary resources that many may not have access to at home and teachers are able to determine whether their lessons were understandable. I thought it was great to see how collaboration is being used to create success amongst the district and students. Providing a leveled playing field where all children have access to the same resources is so important for children to succeed and achieve great things. It is amazing to see how the failing rate has dramatically decreased and how children are actually attending school on a normal basis. I hope this method will be used throughout the nation because although this district is in a high need area, Greg Green is achieving what many thought was impossible.
@ Victoria L
I absolutely agree with your comment. I wish more educators had the determination Greg Green displays. Hopefully his new method will spread throughout the nation and the success rate of achievements will increase.
@Laura W.
I couldnt agree more. It is truly refreshing to see students, and schools coming together. When there are two parties willing to participate, the outcome can only be that much more postivie.
I think that this new idea about "flipped classrooms" is very useful for the students. Especially for higher level classrooms and adolescent grades, the work is much harder for the student to understand alone at home. They are less likely to have someone or resources at home that would be able to explain it to them. These "flipped classrooms" gives the students a chance to get professional help in the area they need. This is very important for helping students stay on track instead of falling behind. The principal seems to actually care about the students' education and is doing a great job helping them.
Natalie K EDU 364 01
I believe this strategy is a very creative and clever way to look at education. This model has great potential to reduce the failure rate in our nation’s schools; as the article explained, this model has reduced the failure rate at Clintondale High. These students are now given a better opportunity to succeed; for example, the students can watch lectures from other schools in the United States and overseas. This allows the students to have more resources than their textbooks while at home. Moreover, teachers have different methods of teaching and students learn differently; as a result, a student may understand a lesson better from another teacher. After the students become familiar with the material, they will go to class where they can further build their knowledge. In addition, the students are now able to get help on their homework while they are in school. This is important because many students do not have someone at home to explain the material to them. This model should be taken seriously and other schools should use it to improve their student’s grades.
I believe that what Greg Green has done is a great step in the right direction. He is looking in other ways to improve education and by having students do their homework with the experts (teachers) defiantly improves students performances. Students come form different background and family situations and when school is concerned many parents don't have the time to sit with their children and make sure homework is done correctly. By having students do their homework in the classroom, it allows the students to ask the experts questions and in the end receive the right answer along with a great reason to how the problem or answer was found. If all schools in the United States start to include this kind of method, education will change for the better.
I think the flipped classroom is a great strategy that can be used to reduce the failure rate in schools. Many students do not have someone at home to help them with their homework. In the flipped classroom the students watch the lesson at home and work on the homework at school. When they come to school they have the teacher, an expert, to help them with the homework. Additionally, this strategy provides the teacher more time to answer any questions that students have about the homework. In addition to this strategy, students watch videos of lessons from other schools and learn something new. I admire the principal for taking such a risk to apply this model in the school. I think other schools in the United States should try this strategy to reduce their failure rate.
Mariya L. EDU 364 01
I think this article does a great job of explaining the flipped school method as an alternative option for failing schools to succeed. I think it very important for teachers and other school personnel to be able to think outside of the box, like Mr. Green has, to find solutions for the failures within schools. I do not see any evidence in the article or the video that suggests any reasons why this method would not be a viable alternative for failing schools. Though this worked for Mr. Green’s school, it may not work out for all schools, so I think the implementation of these changes should be considered on a case by case basis.
@ Sara
I agree with your comments about options for student learning. Student learning styles vary, so what may work for one student may not work for another. The options that the flipped school model provides for these students could be extremely helpful and successful for many schools, as it has been at Mr. Green's school.
@ Sofia
I agree with your statement that students may have parents or caregivers that do not have the time to assist their children with homework. Additionally, some parents may not have the knowledge to help even if they had the time. For example, if parents dropped out of school in eight grade, they may have problems assisting their children with senior level course work.
Sean Philzone Edu 364 01
I believe the project Mr. Green is working on in his school is amazing. Like many of our nation’s schools, his was failing. What made his school different was that he found a solution to make it better. I really liked the idea of recording the lectures and making it available online. This way if a student is absent they are not missing the lesson because it is available to them online. This technique also solves a problem with students learning at home. With the old learning structure it was very hard for students to get the work done at home because many lacked the resources required to do the work. The new system remedies this problem by having the lessons recorded in advance so the students can watch them earlier which allows for more learning to be done in the classroom. What I really love about this technique is how it adapts to the students’ needs. Many of Clintondale’s students were coming to school late and missing lessons because of their long commute to the high school. With this new structure in place the students’ don’t have to worry about being late to a lesson since it is available to them online. I believe Mr. Green has found a structure that is showing great results and should be used in many more classrooms across the country.
I definitely think the flipped classroom idea has a lot of potential and has already shown success. I know for a fact that if I were presented with the lesson before meeting in class I would be much more active and might have gotten a lot more out of the class. Just from a logic standpoint, having someone there who knows what they are talking about both before and during class is a stronger support then only having that person there at the beginning before you even realize you need clarification or help, and then it is too late to ask until you come in the next day with a half-completed assignment and little comprehension.
@ Natalie. I agree with you when you say they are finding a way to help students stay on track instead of falling behind. There are several times in my personal life I have felt like some teachers are literally out to get the students. That trick questions and tough exams were just a way of the classroom. From this it is evident their intentions are only pure. They truly want to help their students do the best they can. It is truly admirable.
@ Natalie. I agree with you when you say they are finding a way to help students stay on track instead of falling behind. There are several times in my personal life I have felt like some teachers are literally out to get the students. That trick questions and tough exams were just a way of the classroom. From this it is evident their intentions are only pure. They truly want to help their students do the best they can. It is truly admirable.
I think this is a great idea, however... I think it's taking away hat a classroom is spposed to represent. I think the world is getting way too technological, I personally loved school in high school and middle school because I could volunteer in class, raise my hand to be chose on, and get a excellent! from my teacher after getting the answer right. Or if it was wrong it was more of a challenge. I think school should also be about communicating to students one on one. I think its great that the students are improving by using this technology in this school, but the reality is... How many kids are really going to keep up with this and look up their lessons especially if their young. Maybe right no it's working, but how are teachers really going to know if their students watched the lessons or not. I think it's a good idea,but it defeats the purose of what school is supposed to really be. Yes, students should try and get good grades, but also students should be interacting in class and being asked questions instead of reviewing what they saw on their smart phone.
@ Deborah
I agree with your comment. I think schools should stop the blame game and start thinking outside the box. School officials should start thinking of solutions that could help students achieve success like Greg Green.
I agress with the principal at Clintondale High 100 percent. I believe that every school should develop a program similar to this. I say this because I was one of theose students who struggled with homework, not because I wasn't paying attention, but because it was hard for me to retain harder lessons. He is also helping those students who may go home and have parents who just don't care about helping them with homework. This is also a great idea because it gives students access to materials they may or may not have at home, or for the students who frequently forget their books in school. It gives every child the opportunity to do well with that little extra boost.
I really enjoyed watching/reading this article. It provided an out of the ordinary solution to a problem that plagues many school districts. How do they reach the masses? The “flipped classroom” at Clintondale High provides proven data that a “flipped classroom” can indeed, positively affect school dropout rates. I agree with principal, Greg Green that flipped classrooms really do level the playing field for all students. They put students in communication with other students around the world and provide opportunities that less fortunate students might not have received. This type of classroom fosters a positive, engaging learning environment. It provides student with the necessary resources to compete effectively in a global economy. It also provides resources in the school that students might not normally have access to at home such as the internet and computers. It also creates a community that is student centered. I also agree with Marisa that all school districts could benefit by implementing programs like this. It allows for differentiation of instruction and one-to-one instruction with students.
I agree with Erin about this article. I agree with the fact that this idea gives the students the ability to access resources in the school that might not be available at home. I also enjoyed reading it. It was great to see how one thing changed the whole perspective of the school. I think a flipped classroom is a great idea to try out if the school is having problems like they were at Clintondale High School. I also liked the idea of the students being able to watch lectures given by teachers other than their own and in different states and countries. I feel that this idea opens up so many more learning experiences to the child and lets them know that there is not only one way to learn. It was great to read how much of a positive effect this "flip" had on this school.
I agree with Kristen about this article and how one idea changed the overall perspective of the school. Detroit is an extremely high-needs school system which it needs desperate help. Clintondale High School needed someone like principal, Greg Green to get this school in some sort of order. He has done an incredible job with his school and turning his classrooms into "flipped classrooms" to support the needs of his students. Green has taken into consideration that not all students, especially in his school, do not have accessibility to technology like most schools. He also takes into consideration their learning process and switching it around. He allows them to do their homework at home! This is great because I feel like there are a few key problems with doing homework at home. Students may have forgot what it is they are supposed to do, they forgot what they learned in class, and they may not have anyone there to help them, and if they do, they may not know how to do the work. Greg Green is a principal that many would probably wish to have working with them or for them because look it has taken one man to make this change, imagine more people would be like him, then imagine the changes that could happen?
I agree with Erin in that this type of learning model is student centered, allowing it to foster a positive, engaging learning environment. I think this idea of a "flipped classroom" is a brilliant one. Our country needs motivated, intelligent administrators like Greg Green to think outside of the box. He saw what wasn't working, and thought of a solution. He put the student's needs first in order to help them achieve success. Many times, the flaws in the education system are seen as irreparable. In this case, simply fixing the environment of homework brought about huge success. These students are now receiving the individualized instruction they deserve. Students who do not have access to the required materials or support at home now have that opportunity in school. These disadvantaged students realize that their teachers care about them and are helping them achieve goals they never thought they could. I think more schools in a similar situation should follow this model of a flipped classroom. What it does require is dedicated, passionate educators. The difference it's making is a huge one and is ultimately putting education back on track.
I thought that this article, and the concept of flipping the classroom was great. Greg Green did an excellent job of coming up with a solution to the excessive failing rates in his school. By having the teachers tape themselves teaching and having the students watch the videos during out of class hours, this provides the students with more time and attention in school when it comes time to do their homework and having to apply what they learned. It is so true that many students go home to an environment that is not conducive to learning and success. They are unable to complete their homework at home for whatever reason (lack of support systems at home) and more and more students are coming to school without their homework completed. It is a viscous cycle that obviously has not been working very well. By having the students complete their homework in school, this alleviates that problem. I agree with Danielle that so many people acknowledge the fact that our education system is flawed, however, not many people can come up with a way to fix the problems. Greg Green is a motivated and brilliant administrator who gives me hope that one day the problems with our education system will eventually turn around.
I think the idea of the flips school is a fantastic approach to resolving the needs of the at risk student. Living in an urban setting, sometimes it is difficult for these students to get the support they need at home because their parents are working or are not educated enough to help their children, the flips school allows that student the opportunity to succeed. This type of setting affords the student the ability to ask for help and to get the attention they need to get through the material. My only concern is the fact that some of these students do not have the equipment at home to follow along with the lectures. I do see how this innovative approach is a step in the right direction.
I really liked this article. I feel that what this principal did was so important and needed in his area. He was giving students a chance to excel and the schooling environment. He understood that most fo the students life outside of school would make it impossible to get past the failure rate that the school was suffering. By not pressuring students to do homework and projects outside of school, this made coming to school enjoyable and something different from what they grew up doing.
This was a great video and article because it addressed an issue that many schools face with now a days. The flip approach was an excellent idea and I enjoyed reading and listening to why it works and how it alleviates pressure from the students. School should be a place where students are comfortable and relaxed, instead many students today feel overwhelmed and anxious about homework, projects, and exams. By flipping the classroom, students are able to absorb more information and excel.
Wow! What an idea. Flipping the classroom is incredible! I love the idea of having students take learning into their own hands, literally. When you think of traditional methods, like lecturing, how effective are they? For students to be able to watch a lecture/video about what they will be learning, and then come to class prepared to work on projects sounds really successful. Students absolutely gain more in a flipped classroom and it's probably much more exciting for them. Specific to this article, I agree with Rose that it is probably a great way to encourage a high risk student.
It's great that this method is working for that particular school. I like the idea, however I think it puts a lot of responsibilty on students in hopes that they will have access to a computer and actually watch the lessons. I do agree with Kate C. that it probably is very exciting for the students and it i1s great that they can get more one on one attention from the teacher during classtime.
Erin C.
Greg Green is truly innovative. It gives students with different learning styles another option. It made me think about a middle school I worked at that offered a Reading Prep class as an elective. It was a huge success. The same teachers who taught English taught this class. It helped reinforce study skills, and organization.It also gave the weaker students more confidence in their regular English class because they had some pre-discussion activities.
Nancy Mc
Greg was an awesome teacher and really went out of his way to help those students who struggle academically. No one understands what these teens go through in their personal lives, nor do we know what it’s like to not have the right resources to keep up with their grades.
Too bad every teacher couldn’t flip their classroom in order to accommodate every student’s needs.
Patti G.
"This type of learning network will enable us to close the gap of inequality that schools are subjected to because of their financial standing, and provide all students, no matter what district they’re from, with information from the best teacher or expert in any field."
This line sums up the urgency of the need for change in our educational system. A student at a high needs school has the same ability to succeed and to change the world as a student at a wealthy private school. Schools need to be able to give their students the opportunities they need to achieve their potential. I commend this principal on not giving up due to lack of finances and truly finding a change that would work. He is living proof that it IS possible to make a change in education.
Although I'm not sure flipped classrooms would work for every student and every school, for those that are truly suffering in the way that this school was, I believe it is a clear solution.
I think that this is a great idea! I would have loved to have this in school. I remember it was difficult when I had trouble with my homework, my parents were not really able to help because they did not understand it as much. Yet, if I were at school doing my homework, I would be able to have that helping hand readily available. They do homework in class they have working knowledge of material..teach is right there to give any assistance rather than a support system that might not know the content themselves and would not be able to help as much. Technology and resources are in the classroom that students can use.
I also agree with Courtney, I am not sure that this technique would work for every student, but it will certainly have an impact on those students who are struggling or are in a high needs area.
-Michelle S.
I thought this article was interesting. The principal at CLintondale High is an inspiration, he saw a problem and figured out a solution. I am not sure I love teaching every lesson electronically, I think it will take away from teachable moments that come up in the classroom, but for an at risk school it seemed to work out well. I think it gives great opportunity to students, but I agree with Michelle and Courtney, it may not be for every classroom.
Principal Green has done an amazing thing for a difficult community. He saw first hand that students were not succeeding, failing, being disruptive and even dropping out of school and took action. The traditional model of student teacher lecture was not working SO with today's technology...why not pre-record lectures? Students can watch the educational material on their personal time and on the go with their smart phones, replay parts of the lecture that they didn't quite understand or missed and come to class mentally prepared. I think this flipped model is amazing and has helped this district unbelievably. I can see a small struggle or resistance with veteran teachers. Some of these teachers struggle with technology and others may be completely against the flipped model use. I agree with Victoria and Laura...more educators should be like Greg Green. District funds weren't there so he sought a grant to benefit his students, the surrounding community and our future society.
I like the fact that he said he would do homework in the classroom. However , isnt that the same as doing classwork? However as i remember it, homework queestions always seemed harder then classroom work. I still think it is good to have students engaged in the classroom, with the help of the teacher, it is easy to say i dont get it and give up, however trusting your teacher to help you will have the one on one help.
The article posed an interesting ideal for classroom teaching. Pre-recording lectures will allow the students more time to do hands-on acitivities in class. Hands on activites keep the students more interested and attentive. Pre-recorded lessons will also help students stay on track and allow them to go back anytime they. So in a way they permanently have class notes. THe only draw back could be assuring that the students actually take the time to watch these lectures outside of the calssroom on their own time. Moreover, if the students do actively watch the lecture, I think the method will be successful.
I believe this strategy has the possibility of working. In today's educational system when there is a problem it seems the solution always seems to be test the kids and see where the problem is. To me this is a horrible solution. While Greg Greens solution may not sit well with some people, he is still trying to find a solution. I think this can be a great thing. There are kids who don't go home and do homework either because they don't want to or because home life is chaotic. Students also get frustrated because they might not understand the homework and the only people that may be able to help are parents who might not understand it either. While this may not be something that can work in every school or in every district, it is still a step towards helping students get a better education and better grades.
This article shed a great deal of light on where the educational system stands at the moment and also presented a great way of fixing the flaws that have been neglected for so long. I also thought it was very interesting to see the great declines in failure rates of the students with the new model they implemented into their system. Doing homework in the classroom certainly proved to be a positive idea as it ensured that the students would get the work done and they also had the help of the teacher in case they didn't understand the work. Also, having pre-recorded lessons at their fingertips as well as using Google Groups and other technologies that would help them accomplish group assignments much simpler.
However, I also agree with Kristina that homework being done in the classroom is the same thing as classwork. Although it does ensure that the work gets done, the whole point of homework is to make sure the student is able to do the work on their own without someone holding their hand. It is used as an assessment to see just how much the student understands the material.
This article shows the nation where education is headed. This particular model worked for this school district, but I don't see if working in every district. I agree with Christine that pre-recorded lectures at the students' fingertips is great, but I don't think it should take place of the lesson during class time.
I feel like the pre-recorded lessons will work if you have a dedicated student body that will put in the time and effort to be prepared for class. With extra curricular activities it's hard for students to find the time to do homework. This model allows for better time management and better understanding of material.
I feel flipped classrooms make more sense than the educational system inwhich we have always taught our students. We lecture and teach the students so much information on a daily basis, expect them to retain it all, and go home and work on their homework without help or definite resources. I have always been an advocate of homework help before or after school from teachers because parents don't always know the curriculum and shouldn't be expected to. In my opinion, students watching lectures and learning at home and doing their coursework in school is a really great innovative program for schools to consider. Thumbs up for flipped classrooms!
-K.S.
I agree with Christine and Robin, the idea of recorded lectures sounds great but shouldn't take place of every lessons during class time. I think the best way to make flipped classrooms work is to implement flipped classrooms a few days a week and offer regular classroom lessons other days. Splitting the class time to allow for lessons to be taught in class some of the time will create a more balanced approach so that teachers may teach the students interactively and more personal than just video lectures. Students who learn best with real life experience will also benefit from having face to face lessons.
-K.S.
I definitely agree with flipped classrooms! Although it is a new concept for most teachers that have been serving their school communities for a number of years, I feel that it will and already has benefited many students. It has been proven numerous times that there is a problem with the school structure, we constantly hear complaints but no one is stepping up and giving a solution. I believe that the flipped classroom is a solution that should be experimented with!
Tom- I agree with everything that you said1 Homework is a problem area for a lot of students as well as parents or parental guardians for a number of reasons. I think that Greg Green definitely has a way out so that the frustration of doing homework is eliminated as well as the interest in being in school is increased! Also there are a lot of students that come to school because it is a meal to them- what better way to keep them in school that utilizing their technology to learn!
I agree with this principal having the students do their homework at school is a great idea. How many times do students come back to school saying they don't understand the homework. Even if the school makes each period longer maybe even double the periods, the students can do the homework in class and get the help that they need. This way they will understand what they are doing and they mill learn something. This will help the students because if they don't understand the homework, they wont do it, then they will be falling behind in class. So even though it might seem more work, I think it is so worth it.
Tierney C
As a future teacher it will be our repsonsibility to impliment and provide the very best for our students. I believe that the principle at Clintondale high is developing a great idea of "flipping" the classroom. This is very creative and seems so far an effective way of giving students the ability to understand and have more opportunity to grasp a lesson. The student have more resources than just a textbook and a one time class lecture. I like the fact that students who watch the lesson can come to class with some knowledge or questions to be asked. The students will be able to rewatch the lesson considering it is on the web.
@Jenna L...
I completely agree with not teaching every lesson electronically and it can take away from the teachable moments but I do think that the lesson being on youtube. will give the student more opportunity to look back at the lesson as many times as possible.
I currently work in a classroom like the one explained by the principal. I work in what my school calls the study center and this is a room where students are either assigned to be there or can drop in. The teachers job in the study center is to further help a student with what he/she is learning by giving more examples and worksheets or by re-explaining the lesson. However, students assigned to the period cannot work on their homework but they can see examples similar to their homework so they can complete it. On the other hand, students who are dropping in because they have lunch or a free period can work on their homework and receive help from the teachers. I really like the idea of a classroom whose purpose is primarily to do homework because that way a teacher can really see if the students can do the material by themselves and the students can see if they have learned it. I feel like when students go home, they have sometimes forgotten what they have learned in class that day and end up re-reading their notes to figure out how to do a problem. By having a 'flipped classroom', the students will hopefully remember what they have learned and will be able to do the homework without looking back at their notes for every problem.
It is our role as educators to ensure that our students are receiving the best education possible. In order to do so, we sometimes have to make adaptations like at Clintondale High. The school incorporated technology to help the students. I admire the fact that teachers video taped their lessons so that students could view them at their own leisure. This way, students can grasp a better understanding of the topics covered in class.
Flipped classroom is truly a revolutionary idea; not just for the change and the way education is taught, but the fact that it is a change that is working and improves the way we teach is magnificent. Most importantly the students are learning and not based on income and that every school can possibly implement this style is great. M. Worthy
I really enjoyed this article because I have never learned about 'flipped classrooms' before. Greg Green knew that steps needed to be taken to better educate his students. After changing the school structure for just the ninth grade, he found that his solution had improved failing rates and even attendance rates for all subject areas. He decided to implement this school structure for all grades in his High School and found the same positive result. I think that in financially challenged schools, like Clintondale High School, the flipped classroom technique can very much help reduce large failure rates in our schools; as he showed was true through his statistics.
first, I think that allowing students to listen to lectures via video through either a computer or smartphone, gives the student complete control over that video. The student can stop it, rewind it, or fast forward it. If there is a student who has a processing disability or a student that speaks english as their second language, that student can listen to that lecture more than once. If there is a student who has a hearing impairment, that student can read subtitles to go along with the video. It allows them to learn and process the information being taught at a time and place that is good for them.
The in-class time is spent doing homework or activities to reflect on what was taught during the video lecture. I think this is good for students because it gives them one on one time with the teacher, allowing them to ask questions and gain a better understanding of anything they did not retain.
The flipped classroom structure allows students to use the school computers (before or after school) to watch the lectures for the next day; creating a safe learning environment.
This was another enlightening article. It's great that Mr. Green and the educators of that school realized that something needed to be done about the failing system. They were open to an innovative approach to education, one which I can see many people being opposed to for its non traditional nature. However, it seems to be working which is great. The traditional methods of school may not always be best for all schools, and more educators need to be open to trying new techniques to see what works for them. It appears to me with all the advances being made in technology today, many schools are being impacted in a tremendous way. I hope this growth will continue and schools will continue to benefit from technology and cutting-edge ideas from educators. K Chin
while I do think that this principal has a great idea, I also think that students should be doing some work at home to reinforce what they learned that day in school. I understand what he was saying about teachers just lecturing and then students are left to figure out the problems on their own for homework, but he might need to look into his teachers methods of teaching. Teachers should be doing problems and answering questions with their students in class along with lectures where the students can ask questions.
I do agree with Deborah, because this method might work for some schools, but not all. I would like to hear about more schools using this method and seeing how it works for them.
Brianne Doherty
Wow! I enjoyed reading and listening about the Flipped classroom. I, too, have never heard of the Flipped classroom concept before this piece. Greg Green should get recognized for his work on changing his school around. He saw a problem and made a change that is working for his school.
I don't know if this model would work in all the school districts but it should be piloted around the country to see if everyone gets the same positive results. Education needs to be on the front burner so we can make changes like these to help improve our students and their learning. K. Palmer
This strategy is phenomenal, especially if it was able to yield such great declines in the schools failure rates. My main concern is its feasibility in widespread replication. Many districts that struggle with low socioeconomics also have issues with over population and lack of resources. How are schools to ensure that all students can access the necessary technology? In the highlighted school they were able to manage with the resources they were in possession of, but I can see that being a major issue for larger schools. Another possible issue is general classroom organization. If class time is used to simply practice and reinforce the viewed lessons how will one classroom teacher manage assisting the various learning speeds? Essentially they will have to differentiate all classroom activities. Other than those two issues, this is an excellent idea and is something that should be tested on a wider scale.
Lesley Rhoden
I think the idea of having 'flipped' classrooms is really interesting and effective, especially in lower income enviornments where students rely on school for so much. Meals are provided before school, which is incredible, because for many students they are not getting proper meals at home. If students are in school early anyway, giving them the ability to recieve help with their work from an expert (teacher) is all the more important for them. Kids often struggle with homework and do not have anyone to help them because their families do not understand it or simply don't have the time to help them. By allowing students to complete their homework in school, they are able to get assistance from the teacher and from their peers in a more effecient way than they would a home. I am all for the use of technology is classrooms and allowing students to access this type of educational tool if it will improve their learning experience and make them want to learn.
This story is truly inspiring and these ideas could be world changing if implemented correctly. The turnaround rate in only 18 months really is something special. Students are able to learn prior to coming to class which allows them the opportunity to ask for help when they are with the teacher in class, instead of learning, struggling at home and coming to class the next day confused. It is not a difficult procedure for teachers to use either. Filming their lecture is inexpensive and not all that time consuming. I hope that other educators and districts take a long, hard look at this story and try to envision how it will help the students in their own district.
When I was first reading this, the whole thing sounded like a gimmick. However, if the statistics the principal reports are valid, then there is no reason not to implemented the "flipped" classroom. I think it can be a useful method if it truly engages students and reinforces what is learned in the classroom. But most of all, it seems as if it helps students to develop schemata for new material. With shared virtual space, students can also create responses to material of their own once they develop literacy in the programs/apps that information is shared on.
I agree with what the principal was saying. At first it seems as if he wasn't to confident on the matter, but as the video went on you could clearly tell that he knew that this is what was best for his students. During the school day children will get round the clock support when it comes to homework, which is what they need. The children need that "flipped" classroom. It reinforces what was just previously learned in the classroom and can almost be immediately implied when doing homework and you get immediate results. With technology moving at the pace that it is, immediate and quick results are whats necessary. In this classroom setting thats exactly what you get.
I agree with my classmates that Greg Green is doing a phenominal job at finding a solution to his schools failure rates. The flipped classroom is a great idea. Traditionally, students would do their homework home, and if they were lucky had their parents or older siblings help them for support. However, not every student is lucky enough to have family members available or educated enough to understand the new concepts we are teaching are students. That is why the flipped classroom can reduce the failing rates in schools;it allows the teacher to be their support system while they do their "homework". Overall, I believe Clinton High is going to do very well with this new approach. -Dayna O.
With this article on “Schools of Thought: Flipped Classrooms…” the idea of a flipped classroom works for this school in Clintondale High School in Michigan just outside Detroit. However, for this to be implemented into other schools it is a complicated task to complete, as well as sound like an expensive one at that. Given in the article the principal states that the school is not so finically sound yet it applied for a grant from TechSmith, which allowed for the school to create a flipped classroom system. So it seems that a school must have money or apply for some sort of grant to gain access to the technology needed for this “flipped classroom”. So for districts that are in poor economic areas this may be a challenge, these districts may not be able to overcome. Yet the results are what outweigh this potential problem, the failure rate numbers after the execution of this model is astounding. Except, how is this working, these students now come into school to get specific information and go home to process, explore, and practice this information. This poses another problem, which is what if the students don’t have a suitable environment that delivers their learning needs. So the school restructures their procedures so students are doing homework at school, which provides equal learning support. The most positive thing that comes out of this is the collaboration from teachers, department heads, and even principals for the applying of this ‘Flipped Classroom” method so that students get a variable of outside experiences. Still it seems like a greater issue for the school to transform itself to meet these needs. This just seems far away from teaching.
-Jonathan Rich
The scenario that Clinton H.S. was facing before the integration of flipped classrooms was deteriorating. Clearly, the Principal (Mr. Green) needed to go beyond the impossible to acquire the technological tools to help, inspire, and demonstrate to these students how their education matter. He is remarkable as a person and as a professional he delivers. Mostly, I believe that Mr. Green brought hope to these students who are facing financial challenges to realize that apart from their personal struggles; they are capable of learning and being successful. Clearly, equal education is essential and must be provided to all; especially to populations with economic issues because the cycle of poverty among these families, needs to be controlled. Children who are raise in poverty are more likely to develop learning disabilities which can be attributed to their undesirable lifestyle. Flipped Classrooms have given students a chance to test their learning potential and with this strategy at hand, it seems that their learning skills are beginning to emerge. The students at Clinton High School couldn’t have a better principal-he is a leader.
Nora R.
Principal Green is clearly providing an incredible service to his students and community. I think the idea of the flipped classroom is very beneficial, especially for students like Mr. Green's who come from low income neighborhoods. These families are already facing daily financial stresses which may prevent them from being fully involved in their children's studies. The flipped classroom model clearly requires an incredible level of commitment and dedication from the staff at Clintondale High. It is encouraging to see such a high level of commitment. My only concern is one that is voiced in other comments regarding this post, and that is the cost of the flipped classroom model. Right now, we hear nothing but budget cuts in education. Although the benefits outweigh the costs, I could see this as being a model that is hard to implement in many schools.
- K. Doria
I give Greg Green a lot of credit for coming up with this "flipped classroom" idea. His thoughts are coming from a great place, which I agree with. Students often return home to struggle on the homework they were given with no one to help them. If they are given the information before class, the time in the classroom can be utilized to answer questions and focus on the students and their understanding of the lesson. However, I really only think this idea is good in theory. I don't think this idea would be successful in all school districts. Even though this was brought up in the interview, I don't think students should have to spend their free time during school using computers if they don't have them at home. I think it becomes inconvenient for the student. And realistically if this is implemented in a low economic school district, do you think its realistic that instead of using free time to socialize that students will be using the schools technology to watch lectures? I think this idea has good intentions but in my opinion I see flaws in it.
However, maybe this idea in Clintondale High School will be successful. Because I do think if this idea is used exactly how the principal describes it, that students could be making more of their time in class.
Elizabeth A.
I don't think that the "flipped classroom" is the remedy that will reduce the large failure rate in our nation's schools. I believe homework should be completed at HOME! The purpose of homework is for students to make sense of the learned lessons throughout the school day. Most of the time, given the limited amount of time that teachers are able to use to teach a topic, the lesson is comprehended as a jumbled mess. The students need to recover the topic at their own pace, on their own time in order to fully understand it. I understand doing homework is not fun, and some students prefer not to complete it, however in order to succeed the students must work hard. It's our job as teachers, to motivate them and engage them to keep learning outside of the classroom.
-Ariel V.
I concur with everybody's comments on Greg Green's approach. I like the idea of teachers taping their lectures during classroom discussion, and permitting the students to bring the recordings home. I, for one, believe it will benefit that students when completing their homework. It is a revolutionary idea, and should be implemented in schools across the country. It also provides more interactive resources for the students, and allows them to complete their homework in school.
Tim A
My Initial thaught when i bagan reading this article was...what a terifying job this man has! The responsibility of ensuring students are educated appropriately in a society that does not financially support or value education is most certainly a difficult one.
something that makes the battle even harder is the fact that the reports show students do not value the education iether, slacking with homework, disrespecting teachers and causing many disruptions in class.
I love the idea of posting lessons on a blog for students to watch or study on their own time. It may not work in every district, but i think it is definately worth a try.
carmin
There are two things that I have taken from this article. First, I feel that what is being done here by Mr. Green is pretty incredible, I would love to see this done on a local scale to bear witness to its success. I am still skeptical about this. When I was in elementary school we had old Commodore 64 computers, this system I feel eliminates that locality of a school. Technology while great is taking away some of the great things away from education, and our school system. We are stuck on learning for this test, that we have forgotten how to teach children about the basic things like state and world capitals. Things are so regimented and so anonymous that the individual is being taken away from education.
Great article though
While I think Greg Green's attempts are admriable, I don't think some solutions are very realistic. For example, putting lessons online in the form of blog or video. In a financially troubled district, there is most likely a lack of motivation in students. It is unlikely that students will spend their own time viewing lessons online. However, I do think it is amazing how inspired Green is to create changes in his unfortunate circumstances.
-Melanie P
Clintondale High School Principle Greg Green should be an inspiration to all principles, I think his idea of a “flipped classroom” essentially doing class work at home and homework in class has the potential to largely reduce failure rate in our nations schools. If we lived in a perfect world all school districts would have a student population who have high social economic standing, and get the support they need at home to assist in school work home. Unfortunately this is not the case, however that does not mean this students do not want to do well; in most cases these students seek a sense of normalcy but don’t have the ability to reach it without assistance. Principle Green is providing his High School students with the tools they need to be successful, and like anything I believe getting the first student on board is the hardest; once you have participation people will begin to follow and want to be part of the group. When you provide students with the technology to listen to lecture prior to class, then have them answer question in class allowing them to ask an expert/teacher questions will drive point home and help students gain a true understanding rather then playing a guessing game.
Although we do live in a time where districts are on tight budget this can still be implemented because they are not asked to get more or new material; when being implemented existing material can be used during time is previously would have been sitting idle.
-Ashley M
It is very difficult to make changes in any school system, but especially ones on the low economic side. Principal Greg Green wanted to find a solution to the problems plaguing his school; such as failure, high drop out rate, and students that don't show up at all. His school applied for a grant from Tech Smith. Students can go on youtube or their smartphones to watch the lectures from their teachers the night before class. I feel that this gives students a chance to learn at their own pace. Students can pre-learn the material, then be able to be involved in the next day's lesson already knowing what to expect. I feel this only leads to a more supportive environment for all students. I think it is a great solution to fix our education system through teamwork and collaboration; because the system in place now is broken and failing our students.
I think that the flipped classroom strategy will reduce the failure rate in our nation’s schools for a few reasons. Through my personal experience, I agree that when students begin to struggle in class, they will not absorb the information they are learning. Some times students are even embarrassed to admit that they are confused, so they will go home and not complete their homework because they do not understand it. Therefore when applying the flipped classroom model, students are given the opportunity to process the information with an expert in class. Instead of sitting through a whole class not knowing what one is learning, the student can come into class with prior knowledge from the night before. Students are then provided with a support system that they might not have at home. I believe that if more schools are built around supporting student learning, there will definitely be more academic success.
- Holly P.
This was a very interesting article and I enjoyed reading it. I do believe that implementing a “flipped classroom” is a solution to lower failure rates in our nation’s schools. It was proven true in this article due to the decrease of failure rates in Clintondale High.
Allowing students to do their homework in school is a great idea, especially for those families that cannot afford to have the resources at home. It was comforting to know that even the principal allowed students to do their homework in his office and use the computer. Watching video lectures is also helping students do better in school. I think it makes each lesson more interesting and interactive. It also sparks the students’ attention. Each and every school is different, and other schools may not find the “flipped classroom” model to work as well as in Clintondale High. I believe that using this method is a great way to make the students at Clintondale High have a brighter future.
- Joanna S.
I think that the flipped classroom is a great strategy for improving upon student success rates. Not only does it give the students the opportunity to learn at their own pace, but it also gives them support that is vital within the classroom. As it was stated, some students do not have the resources at home to receive help with their school work. This flipped classroom allows students with continuous support by the teacher because they are doing much of their work in the classroom. This can help with failure rates because students are consistently having their questions answered. Not only is this flipped classroom idea good for the failure rate, but it is also good for student moral. With this method, education is more fun for students.
-Victoria L.
I agree with Principal Greg Green's solution of flipped classrooms to support our children's learning. We all know that every district is not economically equal, especially Detroit. Principal Green's dedication to turn around his failing school is inspiring. His students like many immigrant students do not have the support at home to reinforce what they had learned at school that day. They are expected to process their lessons on their own. Having students ready for class by watching their lesson the night before promotes engagement in the classroom. And if they are having difficulty with a concept they have the teacher right there to explain it. Principal Green provides a support system at school. With the use of the schools laptops/desktops students are able to focus on their work.
When I first heard of the flipped classroom concept, I thought what a great way to keep students engaged in and prepared for learning. I didn't consider the student who is home alone while both parents are out working. Principal Green has shown a spotlight on his at risk students and provided them with a safe environment for success.
Erin H.
I truly admire Principal Greg Green’s determination in finding a solution for the large failure rate in his school. I believe that the “flipped classroom” will greatly reduce the large failure rate in our nation’s schools, however I don’t think it is the “remedy.” I like the idea that lessons are pre-recorded and easily accessible at home, which provides students with time to view the material on their own so that they may ask questions when they come to class. However, some students come from homes that have an environment, which is not conducive to learning. These students may not have the time or technology to watch the pre-recorded lesson and will still come to class unprepared. In addition, I do not think that the “flipped classroom” idea should take the place of classroom lessons. While I do think this is a great idea, I do not think this strategy should replace of traditional classroom activities such as real-time lessons. Some students may also benefit more from seeing the lesson in real life, which will allow them to ask questions as the lesson is being taught.
Flipped classrooms are becoming a more and more used teaching strategy in all levels of learning. It has also been seen to improve the dropout rate and the success rate of students. I believe flipped classrooms should be implemented as much as possible.
Flipped classrooms are the new trending teaching strategies in this century. The focus is not being shifted from the teacher standing in front of the class to the students standing in front of the class and teaching their peers. I agree with the principal that a flipped classroom allows for test grades to go up. The students actively take part in their learning allowing them to retain more information. My own classroom is starting to transition into a flipped classroom.
-Christina G
I think that the flipped classroom is a great idea because it allows for actual discussion of the material being learned. To often, I believe, classroom discussion is pushed to the side because the main concern is to finish teaching the topic for that day, and often times many questions are left unanswered. By using the flipped classroom model and having the students learn at home on their own time, they can use the time in class to discuss and truly comprehend the material. It is also a good point that by flipping the classroom, you are giving the students more access to the teachers knowledge and insights. A student might not be able to get the same type of expertise when doing homework and learning at home. The only criticism and potential problem I see in it is making sure that the students have the ability or access to technology to learn the lesson at home.
-Gabriel G.
This "flipped" strategy may be one way to reduce failure if it is geared towards common core. I think it is an interesting idea that completely reworks the whole system. I believe it may really help some students, but can you guarantee everyone of them is going to come to class prepared to learn this way? I think this idea could be utilized in schools, however, I don't think this is the only way students should be taught.
suzie b
I think the flipped classroom can be a very valuable tool. But it is important to be aware that not all students will learn this way, just like not all students can learn from a lecture. The analysis of different learning styles is important prior to implementing a flipped classroom setting. This comes down to knowing and understanding your students and being aware and conscious of what they need to succeed. I do not believe that just switching all together to a flipped classroom will solve any issues in failure rate. Flipping the classroom can be a valuable tool, but it should only be used as a tool not as a set in stone way to teach the class.
- Samantha F.
I enjoyed reading this article, the idea of a flipped classroom is very clever but I don’t know how effective it will be. The supporting views in this article spread some more light on the topic. I like the idea of viewing the lectures through a video on either the computer or a smartphone. This allows the students to have control over their lesson. This idea of the flipped classroom gives she students with disabilities or even the students that all learn at different paces the ability to learn at their own speed and leisure. During the in class portion this time slot is given to the students for them to complete their homework or other activities. This will allow the students to process the information at their own speed and develop some in depth question because time will be set in order for the students to develop them. There can be pros and cons to this style of a classroom it all depends on the students in the classroom and how they learn.
-Nicole A
This is certainly an interesting method. For the most part, the idea could be a great thing for education. Students can apply what they are learning and correct mistakes early on to avoid bad habits. My one concern is how do we know that the students are watching the lectures at home? Because if students decide not to watch the lectures, the teacher's time will be taken up much more helping those individual students who are struggling because they have no idea what is going on in the lesson. My biggest concern would be monitoring that end of the work. With that being said, however, I do believe that if students are watching the lectures at home, this can be an effective method to use.
-Sean C.
I think that the flipped classroom will reduce the large failure rate in our nation's schools. This strategy brings information to the students in a way that eliminates their excuses.
Shaina H.
I agree with Nicole that this idea of the flipped classroom will give the students with disabilities the ability to learn at their own speed. Lessons are differentiated and personalized in some ways.
Shaina H.
The flipped classroom is an idea I've actually been very interested in since I decided to become a teacher. It's a concept that gives students the ability to learn independently and at their own pace while also having the support of a classroom setting to solidify the material and answer any unresolved questions.
- Doug Ferguson
I definitely believe that flipping classrooms can greatly impact the failure rate throughout our nation. Giving students the opportunity to listen to the lecture and important content during hours in which they are not in school, allows for mastery to occur throughout the school day. The reason for this is that students are able to come into school and let the teacher know what they are struggling with. The educator can than provide students with differentiated assignments throughout the schooling hours to help each student succeed and build on their strengths.
I agree with Greg Green, being from an area with resources, crime rates, lifestyles and economic hardships are prevalent, I believe flipped classrooms will be effective. The idea of viewing lectures and lessons on a student's personal device or school device allows the student to process the information at their own pace. The power of rewind will be beneficial. The time they use in class will be meaningful because they can get the one-on-one help they need to learn and master the information.
I love this idea of a flipped classroom. All students in my middle school I feel have some access to the internet, even if it's on their cell phones. I want my students to learn that the answer to basically everything in life is right at their finger tips. So much of my classroom time is spent reading, learning, and reviewing new material instead of spending time with constructive class discussions and using critical thinking. I feel my classroom time is limited to begin with, and with this concept I can make the time more useful to my students inside and outside of the classroom.
I really liked learning about the flipped classroom. I think that it is honestly a great idea. The article shows the results, it is helping these students. If the students are learning, understanding, and better yet actually showing up to school, i think this "flipped classroom" should continue on. In today's declining economy, many students may not have the resources to do homework at home, so having the ability to have one on one time with their teacher, and are allowed to do homework at school, is only helping them. I think this idea of a flipped classroom is great.
I think the flipped classroom is the remedy that will absolutely reduce the large failure rate in our nation’s schools. One of the major problems in today’s society is that students in low income areas don’t get the support in school or outside of school like students of high income areas. A low socioeconmic status greatly impacts a students’ learning ability due to the fact that learning ends as soon as they leave school each day. Not that parents don’t want to help, but when they are working three jobs just to put food on the table they don’t exactly have the time to help their child with homework. The flipped classroom strategy solves these problems and allows the student to get the help they lack at home. It gives the teacher a chance to help each student one on one more often than they would in a normal classroom. I think this strategy has been successful and should be used in many more schools today as it would decrease the failure rate.
Alexa D. EDU 364-01
I think the flipped classroom is the remedy that will reduce the large failure in our nations schools. I think this strategy will work because if the students dont know how to do the homework or do not understand a question, they can ask the teacher this way they learn what is the right answer. Instead of being frustrated and confused now they can just ask the teacher so they know how to do the assignment. I think more schools should use the flipped classroom method. EDU 364 01
I believe that the "flipped classroom" is the remedy that will reduce the large failure rate in our nation's schools. The reason I believe this strategy will work is because aside from Clintondale High School being a high needs schools, there are so many other schools across the nation that are also at the level. At times people do not realize that the resources are not there and students are not motivated to learn because of problems at home or any other problems that are bothering them. It is difficult to truly help these students when they do not want to be taught. Using the method of "flipped classroom" can truly help these children. It gives them time to learn the lesson and they always have access to computers via the school, home or library. Sometimes being in a classroom for 45 minutes is not enough to grasp the lesson especially if he attendance rates are low. Being able to watch these lessons on the internet are very beneficial and convenient for these students.
I believe what Principal Green had doing is a fantastic idea of "flipping the classroom". Through struggling times, the school is willing to accommodate to all students in order for them to do well. Principal Green is a smart man in which he expands beyond their town, state, country and gives the students the opportunity to learn outside of their own environment, while still staying in their own environment. I believe that this should be applied into those areas similar to that of Clinton Township, Michigan, so instead of bettering one area we can better the whole nation.
Yes I believe that “flipped classrooms” can reduce the failure rate in our nation’s schools. This strategy works because students are able to get the lesson and the additional help they need, that they might not normally get. If a student does not understand the work they are given and they are unable to receive help from someone at home, it becomes difficult for them to learn anything. If a student does not understand the homework they were given, the next day when they go to school more than likely the teacher will be on a different topic when the student hasn't learn the first one. The concept of a “flipped classroom” is great and it seems to be helping students not hurting them.
Rachelle C. EDU 364-01
I believe that this idea of a “flipped classroom” is a great strategy for reducing the failure rate in schools. By implementing a “flipped classroom”, Mr. Green is instilling hope for our student’s academic futures. He has discovered a way to improve our education and provide our less fortunate students with the necessary resources that may not be so readily available outside of school. This system allows students to gain prior knowledge and encourages them to ask questions and develop a one on one relationship with their teachers, resulting in a better understanding of the material. In addition to better understanding it helps the students to gain confidence in their work. A “flipped classroom” completely transforms a student’s learning ability for the better.
I think the concept of flipped classrooms will make a great impact on the American education system. Leveling the playing field for all students will be a significant factor in continued success and learning. The decrease in failure rates alone is evidence enough that this new system works. The traditional classroom setting has been overdone, and no longer fits the needs of the students. The struggle now will be making this system, and the technologies needed to set it in motion, universally accessible across the country.
Jessica Buonfrisco EDU 364 01
It is clear that the principal at Clintondale High School was facing a serious problem with his students success in learning class material. There were many factors that went into this but he realized that something had to change. I think the idea of a "flipped classroom" worked out perfectly for this specific high school. The principal identified the problem and fixed it in an efficient way. He provided the technology needed to the students who did not have laptops or computers at home so that every student has an equal chance of learning. Also he took away the burden of doing homework outside of the classroom when most of these students had bigger issues to deal with when they got home. It worked out well for Clintondale but I do not think it is the best option for every school.
The principal of this school did a good job into taking matters into his own hands, I believe that he is trying to do what is best for his students, which is rarely found today with standardized testing. As stated in the article his attempt to flip his classroom greatly affected not only the scores of the children on testing but also some of the behaviors and crimes decreased as well. It is a great idea to have lectures available to access at all times, visual learners will benefit from this greatly because they are now able to watch the lesson repeatedly. Also being in a high needs area is very difficult knowing that all students may not have the resources necessary to learn, however he implemented a way that you do not rely on technology.
I think that the principal had a great idea taking matters into his own hands. It is true when he said that depending on the district and the amount of money influences your education. I don't think this is right in any way. I do agree that flipping the classroom is a great idea and good actually work and make the students want to learn. I would have thought that this wouldn't have worked because the students have to go online and learn before class. But I am glad it did work at that high school and maybe it could change other high schools and make other students want to learn. This sounds like a great teaching strategy as well.
I don't agree with flipping classrooms how they did at Clintondale High. The students learning the lesson at home and then doing activities to review them at school isn't something I would support. Students need down time from school which is done at home. They will start to associate school with home and that could be difficult. The schools with high failure ratings should find ways to teach their students and then make sure they ask questions and do reviews after the lesson so you know before leaving that day who understands and who doesn't. With that you can narrow it down who needs the extra boost for the failure rate to lower. Even though the failure rate went down 33% for Clintondale High I wouldn't choose that way of teaching.
This is such a phenomenal idea. The success of the program is evident in the declining failure rates. I was particularly interested in the idea of having "guest" teachers film information which broadens the scope of educational resources for the student, especially as all teachers have slightly different pedagogy's and styles which might suit certain students better. However I believe whilst this works here for a high school, setting with poor attendance rates, in an elementary school this would not be as successful. The extended hours of the schools computer rooms means that the students do not need to have a computer of their own at home which is a huge bonus as well.
This article caught my attention immediately, especially as I am currently observing in a classroom in a school district with a significant amount of free lunches going out due to the economic situation. My heart goes out to some of these students when the teacher creates assignments for her students and some of the students are raising their hand saying that they do not have the access to these types of materials in order to complete the assignment. Each student should be given the same opportunities. I think that this article provides a great example of how to start creating a classroom and a lessons in which the students have access to all the same materials and can have support for their questions and needs that might not have been available at home. I think that there can be a variety of different ways in which we get all students on the same playing field but I think this article, and this school has lead the way for putting their ideas into action, rather than accepting high percentages of failing grades and dropout rates.
Kathleen Cox
I think that the method used at Clintondale High School can be an affective tool. Flipping the classroom at this school has clearly helped its outcomes as seen with the statistics given. The only way in which this method would work is with the knowledge that every student has access to smart phones, computers, lap tops or any way in order to watch the lessons. Another concern I have is that there still needs to be a differentiated teach technique. Although this method may work for some, maybe even most, it still may not work for others. Perhaps the students can be separated into tiers of learning skills and different videos will be sent to students. Students who show more difficulty with the lessons may have more in depth lessons and extra time during school time to work. All in all I think that this is a method that can prove to be successful.
-Courtney Glasco
Kristie Kosinski EDU 364 01- Personally, I think the "flipped classroom" was a great method for this school considering all the factors against them. To see how much the failure rates reduced due to this new system shows that the children are engaged and that it is beneficial to implement the lessons through the use of this remedy. Instead of using poor economics, commuter problems, disciplinary issues, and other conflicts, the principal paved the way to a new and better solution to give his students opportunity and a chance to succeed. I think this strategy would definitely be a beneficial approach to different schools around the nation that deal with the same issues this high school did. It is effective to take different approaches to these kinds of situations to make a turnaround. All in all, numbers don't lie and to see how dramatically the failure rates changed after this "flipped classroom" I thoroughly agree this is a great implementation.
@Michelle... I agree with her that the principal did the right thing taking a stand knowing that the district was low with funds and overall support for "flipping classrooms"
@Kathleen...I agree with you that all students should be given the same opportunities, with the right to the same materials and technology to enhance their experience in the classroom.
I feel that the flipped classroom could have a positive impact on the large failure rate in our nation’s schools. I like the idea that the students do not actually have to do work at home or after school in the computer lab, but simply watch the lessons or expert videos. The students may even get interested in a topic and look up sites to further their knowledge. Once they are back in the classroom and they have that background information they are able to work on the problems or projects with the teacher right there to assist them. I think many students give up because they get frustrated do work at home by themselves. But if they are amongst their peers and with the aid of the teacher by their side I feel that they will have a better opportunity to complete tasks and learn much more had they done the work at home.
I think flipping the classroom is a great idea. A lot of these students struggle to complete, find time, and understand their homework. Especially in these troublesome areas, most students do not receive strong parental support in school work. Having homework completed at school, is a great idea to have students work together, get additional attention and comprehend the schoolwork.
I like how this school is something different. It is most definitely supporting the children’s learning. If the students are having a hard time with assignments and not understanding something, it is a great opportunity to be able to work with the technology out there along with the lead professionals (teachers) and they even get to do their homework in school which takes the pressure off the students. The idea of seeing the lecture before class is just a great idea because the students can prepare themselves for what they are going to learn that day. It also gives the teacher to have less time I want to say teaching the subject and more time to help the students if they don’t understand something. The only thing that I would have concerns with is what they said at the end of the video. Making a smartphone, labtop, ipad, etc. available to the students to be able to successfully be a part of a flip classroom. Now the man said something about it always being available at school but the school is not always open at certain hours that the students may need those devices or what not. That may be something that would have to be worked out where they get grants or fundraise money for students to have those devices at whatever time they need it.
The “flipped classroom” in which students watch lectures at home and do their homework in class could be a remedy for reducing the large failure rate if it is deemed the most conducive way for students to learn about each subject. On the positive side, it would give students the opportunity to watch videos from expert lecturers on subjects, not just their teachers and would bring the gap between students in wealthier and poorer districts. Students can also learn at their own pace since they can play and pause the lecture whenever they need and they can bring in questions for the teacher if they don’t understand something from the lecture. As the video states, students also have access to their teachers if they need help on a question instead of guessing on or skipping a homework question, or simply not doing the homework because they don’t have support at home. However, the “flipped classroom” requires a greater commitment on the part of the teachers and students. Teachers must be willing to tape lectures and set up a website or channel on which the lectures can be found. Students must be willing to spend at least a couple hours of their time watching the lectures in addition to going to school for six or seven hours each day to do homework. Also, if a student is unable to watch the lecture then he or she is unprepared for class the next day. An electronic lecture takes away from the interactivity of a class and can make the topic seem very boring. Also, teaching certain subject via an electronic lecture such as English or Foreign Language could be very difficult since these subjects thrive on interaction between the teacher and the students and amongst the students, and if taken out of context could actually be more confusing for students. I would have to see an example of how English and Foreign Language were taught with this method to determine its effectiveness. Truthfully, I can’t imagine lecturing about several related grammar concepts then having students come in and complete homework on it out of context. Also, I’m not sure how I would fit other practice activities in a class period with homework. Furthermore, if students don’t understand a concept from an electronic lecture a teacher would spend the next class period re-teaching it and students might not have the chance to practice it independently. I think the “flipped classroom” could work well in English and Foreign Language for projects and research but on a day-to-day basis I’m not sure it’s the most conducive environment for learning these subjects.
When students come home from school, their parents are away working or their parents are unable to help them with their homework. As a result, many students end up having very little or no understanding of the topic. However, the flipped classroom model can solve this problem. According to this model, students learn the content at home by watching their teacher’s lecture. At school, they can work with a teacher (trained professional) in the subject area to help them with any questions/problems they might have difficulty answering. This model can reduce the failing rate because the students have a stronger grasp on the topic because they have the proper support.
-Mariya L.
I am of two minds on the idea of "flipped" education. On one hand, I believe it can be a useful tool for educators and students. I've used flipped lessons in the past with reasonable success. They do work, however, I feel the success comes from moderation of use. Flipped classrooms take that idea a bit too far for my own liking. Like anything, if overdone, excessive use can cause something like this to become as stale as traditional lecturing; the increased motivation and other benefits will eventually dwindle. Variety of approaches is critical to promote student achievement. I will continue to use flipped lessons now and again as a change of pace or motivational tool, but I am not sold on the idea of flipped classrooms as a wholesale implementation.
-Jesse G.-
Detroit’s student achievement rates were quite low before trying on the “flipped school” model. Noticing the tremendous results speaks to a move in the right direction. Providing economically-disadvantaged students with additional support and access to technologies that may not be available outside of school is a key component to the flipped model, while reduction in teacher lecture time during school and increased student achievement rates is an interesting phenomenon that deserves further concern and research.
Flipped classrooms may be the answer to greater student achievement in some schools districts, but there are still greater issues that affect student success rates that go beyond models of content delivery.
-Peter L.
Do you think the "flipped classroom" is the remedy that will reduce the large failure rate in our nation's schools? Post a comment explaining why or why not you think this strategy will work?
Greg Green's "flipped classroom" idea can help reduce the large failure rate in schools. A big factor for this formula to work is that the students MUST watch the lectures at home. If they do not perform their responsibilities outside the classroom there is no way they will be able to perform the homework questions inside the classroom. Students have the advantage of watching the lectures on their own time and the homework at school is good for reinforcement because if they struggle with a homework question, teachers and other students are there to help.
The idea behind a flipped classroom is genius. Giving students the opportunity to view lectures before or after class can help students understand the material. It is also a brilliant idea because schools are adapting to the changes of technology and incorporating it into schools and the student’s lives. I also love the idea that other schools are participating because now students can see examples of a topic from all over the United States. I believe this will help students succeed because you are now making learning more appealing for students. The idea of learning at their own pace, at their own time, and with technology they enjoy; this will help students become more interested in learning.
-Liam
I think the idea of a “flipped classroom” is great. It allows students to do some learning on their own outside of the classroom. I like the idea of having students view the lectures at home and then work with the teacher during class time. This allows students to learn and review the material on their own, which will allow the student to figure out what they do not understand and need help with from the teacher. Although, I think the idea is great, I do not know if it will be the remedy for our nation’s failing school systems because this model may not work for all students. I do think it will help students become better independent learners.
Well, I think a flipped classroom is good idea for inner city schools, where life at home might be too chaotic to have work completed. It’s also a good idea for students with learning disabilities who need extra support and students who just do not complete their homework because of motivational difficulties, who hurt from not turning in homework assignments. There are also a lot of parents complaining that they cannot help their students because of the complexity of the content required by the Common Core.
On the other hand, how many students are actually going leave the lunchroom to do homework in the classroom? In addition, for those who do decide to withdraw themselves from a lunch break or come after school, is there a possibility that they may cognitively and emotionally burn out by the end of the school day? After school might interfere with extra-curricular activities.
I think the only way this has a chance is if a higher percentage of their grade were to be put on completed homework assignments and extra credit is awarded to students who attend “supportive homework time.” A token economy can also be an alternative to extra credit, where students who attended a total of 40 “supportive homework times” receive a $10 gift card ITunes gift card or if their younger students, a prize from the treasure chest. Supportive homework time has to be made fun somehow on occasion so that students are not burning out. And this is not something that can be done everyday so not to interfere with extra-curricular activities. Teachers must be intrinsically motivated by the success of their students to willingly participate in this.
-Jessica S.
After reading your post, Cara, I realized that I must have missed the detail in the video regarding the lectures being viewed via the computer from home. Not every household has a computer for the student to view the lectures from home. It may feel like too much extra work for the student to make a commute to the local library or the school computer lab may not be open late enough for them. Once in a blue moon doing this might be good for students, but certainly not as a part of routine. The students do not have a choice, but to listen to a lecture at school. I do not believe all the students are going to watch the videos in their entirety at home. In addition, the classroom is missing out on the interaction between the teacher and the student other than the allotted homework time. You are absolutely correct, Cara. This model does not mold an independent learner and because of this, the “flipped classroom” can have some serious repercussions in college when much of the work is independent. Some students need this interaction in order to process the information while it is being given to them. I know this because I am one of those students. Now that I learned that the “flipped classroom” entails many of the lectures being viewed from home via a computer, I cannot say that this is the answer for our nation’s failing schools.
-Jessica S.
Flipped classroom an amazing idea. Students that lack home support are at a real disadvantage compared to those with home help. When students are practicing problems those that get stuck will often give up when not supported so bringing that part into the class where the teacher can give that support is brilliant. The direct instruction or lecturing is often the boring but necessary part of class. When ever I am writing a lesson plan I am always looking for ways to shorten the lecture time to increase time to do activities. Having the lectures done at home instead of in class will allow for that time to be spent helping students with questions and doing more engaging activities with the class. The video will also allow students to go back and have a part they didn't understand be repeated. Then if they still have a question when doing a problem the teach will be there to clarify the problem. I think this is a great idea and I may even record some lessons for my students even if my school isn't a flipped classroom.
-John Ryan
A flipped class room is a good idea and would benefit greatly for students who do not have the resources at home to do their homework. Collaboration among different teachers and would benefit all students. However, not every student has easy access to technology.
-Patrick H.
I think that a flipped classroom can work in the proper situation. I believe that in good school districts that are in good areas this strategy will not be appropriate. The reason why I say this is because in good school districts the majority of the students will go home and do their homework, which leaves them plenty of time at school to work on other things. However, I think in weaker neighborhoods, this could be a very good thing. It will help students get their homework done so they will not have to worrying about it when they get home. Sometimes in poverty stricken neighborhoods students have more important things to worry about than their homework. If they used the flipped class model maybe this would help the kids to get everything done so that they would not be worried to do it after school at home.
-Nick Gilbert
I think the idea of a flipped classroom is a pretty good idea in some cases. Some school districts this is a good thing because the children dont have the home environment or tools to be able to do their homework on their own or they just may not do it. Having time to do it at school allows them to work with the teacher and other classmates and have time to work on it during school time. For this type of environment I think it would be great to allow the students to be able to have a flip classroom.
Aside from the obvious hurdles of students without access to the internet or computers once they leave school, I think that the idea of a flipped classroom is a fantastic idea. The idea of homework has always seemed a little archaic to me. In theory, homework is great because the student is able to continue to work on their learning after they leave your classroom. In reality, homework is an afterthought, and more often than not, completely ignored. In today's fast paced world, our students simply don't have the time to sit down and do homework for hours after school. It would be nice if it was possible but it simply isn't feasible. For students who work or play sports through high school, there just isn't enough time in the day to get everything done effectively. Expecting students to do a large portion of their learning at home doing homework is just not realistic anymore. In my opinion, it is much more effective to have them answer these homework type questions inside the classroom where they have the help of their teacher at their disposal.
I find he idea of "flipping classroom" to be very interesting, yet I am still wary of it. I am glad to see that Mr. Green and Clintondale High School has had some success with it, but for me, one school is too small of a sample size. Other schools would have to have success with it for me to fully support. I give a lot of credit to Principal Green and the faculty at Clintondale High for taking such a chance. We do need more educators who care about the students learning enough to overhaul how they educate.
I think that the principal's idea to record each lecture is genius. This way, if students can not make the class, they are able to still watch the lesson and learn from it. We are living in a technological age, and there are different ways of learning. Using the cellphone engages children because they are doing something they enjoy.
I do not agree with this model of flipped education. Students will have a difficult time learning their lessons at home and not being able to ask questions right away. This is especially hard for mathematics. Students should be practicing along as a class and asking the teacher questions and participating. Waiting a full day to attend class will not help the students understand the material. Students may need the motivation to do their work in class and learn so they would not benefit from watching lessons online at home. They will get distracted and get frustrated if they do not understand what is being taught. The education system should stay as is especially since the new common core curriculum is much more intense and in-depth.
I believe this idea of a flipped classroom is great. The principal saw a problem and fixed it, in a non traditional way and that's why I think it worked even more. Many kids now love the use of technology and when they are told that there allowed to use it for school kids love it. I think allowing students to learn some knowledge about what they will be doing in the classroom. Prior knowledge is so important for students even though they do not realize it. This strategy is a great way to let the students enjoy technology and help them in the same way.
I think that Greg Green did an amazing job! He clearly came up with a solution for a bad situation. I do think this strategy would work for struggling high needs areas. This does give the students the resources to do homework in class, meals and engaging with peers. However, I do not think that this “Flipped” school method would work for all schools. I do believe that each district must look at their own failing results individually and must clearly have a plan conducive to that schools needs.
Do you think the "flipped classroom" is the remedy that will reduce the large failure rate in our nation's schools? Post a comment explaining why or why not you think this strategy will work?
I believe the flipped classroom is a great idea for reducing the large failure rate. Usually teachers lecture during class and then students don't have time to practice in class so they do it at home for homework. The problem is practicing is probably the best way to learn because it is hands on. However, if students are at home and do not have help they might not try their best, might be confused, or might not do it at all. If students could watch the lecture at home and practice in school they might get a more motivating, beneficial, and comfortable learning experience. The only problem would be financial issues. If a school cannot afford to supply the ipads or computers to students to watch these videos this will not work. Otherwise it is a great idea.
I definitely agree with Greg Green that the underlying reason for the schools ultimate failure was the misalignment of their school structure. I had never heard of “flipping” the classroom before reading this article, and was surprised to learn what it actually meant. I think it’s an inventive idea, but if these children come from financially unstable homes, it makes me wonder how they’re accessing the streaming lecture videos if they don’t have computers or smart phones at home. I understand they have the option of going to the computer lab at school, but I can’t see how effective this will be. I think it’s recognizable to want to use classroom time for actual work rather than just retaining information and getting to the hands-on application later. I think the only incongruence of this idea is getting kids to actually watch the lessons before class. Otherwise, I think this is a great idea.
The idea of the flipped classroom is a fantastic idea with many applications for students in all types of school districts not just those that are financially challenged. The strategy of flipping the classroom relies on the teacher recording their lectures so that the students can view them at home at their convenience and come to school prepared the next day to be able to act upon what they have learned by completing assignments or projects in class. The teacher is available to clarify any misconceptions, re-explain concepts or work one-on-one with students to complete work. Many students do not have proper support at home so by flipping the classroom, students gain access to the tools they need to succeed - one-on-one time with the teacher along with access to resources such as technology and supplies which they might not have available at home. This strategy would be especially effective for ESL students where language can be a barrier to the student getting the support they need at home. The one drawback to this strategy might be the availabilty of the technology necessary for the student to view the lecture outside of school. Mr. Green points out that the school's resources are made available to the student either before, after, or during lunch at school to alleviate this problem. I think this is an excellent strategy to use in trying to remedy the failure rate in schools.
I like some of the components of a flipped classroom, particularly, that it allows content to be taught in a manner that is student centered, accessible outside the classroom and used at the student’s leisure. I agree that schools that have a high inequality rate could benefit from teacher created content videos; however there needs to be a system in place to critic and evaluate not just the content on the video, but the strategies used or being addresses, as well as the expected outcomes. When creating these videos teacher collaboration would need to be at the fore front. I also think that when implementing a flipped classroom schools needs to consider alternate ways for students to access these videos if they do not have access to computers or I-phones at home Would these videos now take the place of classroom instruction, or would they be used to supplement what is being taught and how?
I agree with Matt that more research is needed to determine the effectiveness of flipped classrooms in a variety of classroom settings and school districts. Are these videos geared towards higher order thinking skills or work that requires students to analyze or synthesize components, or can they be used to teach rote memorization skill such as multiplication? It would be interesting to see a video of demonstration of a flipped classroom in action.
With this CCN video Greg Green, the principal of Clintondale High School in Clinton Township, Michigan has made a valid point about using the model of the flipped classroom. The way it is explained shows that if students see the lesson or lecture before coming to class they will have a working knowledge within the class period where both students and teachers could contribute to discussions and work with one another on aspects that are difficult for specific students. As much as I feel that this strategy is useful, I do not feel it will entirely reduce the large failure rate in our nation’s schools. My reason stems from districts that are not as well off as others. There are many districts that do not have the financial capacity to allow students access to videos on the internet outside of school. Many of these district families do not own a computer. Greens argument towards this is that he keeps the school open earlier and later during the school day so students have access to what they need before going home. If you are in a district where so many students do not have a computer at home, this idea will be hard because the computer labs will be bombarded with students. Although it is a great strategy and idea, I believe it really depends on the specific district you are using the flipped classroom within.
This was very interesting and I do agree with the flipped classroom technique. Students learn best in a comfortable environment for themselves. So if learning the material while they are at home in their comfort zone, on their laptop or any other device, they are more likely to be drawn in. I believe this remedy can be successful because if they are doing their homework in the classroom they are having more help and have more of a chance to pass.
I really think the idea of a flipped classroom is great in theory but do feel that more research and development need to go into the plan. This could truly reduce failure rate and give students greater accountability for their work. With that said, I feel this would work best with students at a higher maturity level so they would take more initiative.
I think this idea is a very clever way to help students who are struggling in schools. Having videos online will give students the opportunity to look back at what they are being taught as a resource. This type of set up may not work in all schools across the country, but there are particular areas that could benefit from using a method similar to this one. It is great that failure rates were reduced so rapidly and it is definitely something to consider for other districts that may be experiencing the same problems.
I really enjoyed reading this article entitled "Schools of Thought: Flipped classrooms give every student a chance to succeed". As I was reading it, I was thinking back to where I am student teaching and how students come from poor families or homes that don't supply the material or have the technology for the students to complete their homework, projects, or other assessments. I thought that recording your lecture, or finding videos (this blog used the example of a teacher in Israel who just took his class to a concentration camp) that would give students first hand accounts or great but engaging information would be very effective. Students are always on their phones and they definitely have their phones at home. Giving them videos to watch about your lecture as "homework" and then coming to school the following day to do work in class about it where the teacher is available to guide and help them, promote discussion, or answer questions would be very effective in my opinion. I do agree, that the flipped classroom could be a remedy for the increasing failure rate in the nation. It makes the school more student centered and makes it more of an actual place of learning. I believe in homework and independent study, but it may be more beneficial to have the students to a lighter amount of work at home and a heavier amount of work in school, since school can have a more educational, quieter atmosphere that promotes learning as compared to the home. Plus the teacher is there to help and answer questions! Some students' home life is dysfunctional and not conducive to learning. I think this strategy of a flipped classroom would work very well and have a great impact on student learning and decrease the failure rate.
The idea of doing homework in school is a very interesting idea. In my school, parents are on both sides of the spectrum. One side is saying that too much homework is given while the other side is saying that they want students to experience more education and take more work home. By doing homework in school I do see the benefit of getting assistance from the teacher and having the resources readily available. On the other hand though, homework should be something meaningful. Just giving homework for the sake of giving homework should not be done unless something productive is coming out of it. I believe in quality and not quantity. Overall, I think that Greg Green has done the best job with what he has been dealt with.
I am a firm believer of "Flipping a classroom". I think it is a great way for low income school districts to get the students more involved and focused in school. In the low income school districts, the area around the schools aren't that great. There are poor neighborhoods, gangs, drugs and violence where students are influenced to join and school is not their number one piority. I think that with flipping a classroom, students will be able to learn on the go, learn at home and learn at their own pace. High school drop outs are at a high right now and I feel that if all of these low income school districts flip their classroom, they will see improvements immediately. Technology is a great resource for situations like this, and the results show!
I do believe that the Clintondale High School flipped classroom method is the remedy that will reduce the large failure rate in our nation. This method is very clever and useful. With this method the students learn in school, but are able to look back at the lessons online, which is useful for review purposes or if they are having trouble with a particular lesson. This method also helps to provide one on one help for students which is very beneficial.The article shows proof that this method is successful by the 10% decrease in failure rate for the whole school. I believe this model should be tested in other schools to see if it has the same effect as it did at Clintondale, because it may just have the ability to change education forever.
The flipped classroom is a remedy that will reduce the large failure rate in our nation's schools. I believe that this strategy will work because it gives students an opportunity to learn the material before class. Students have time to process the information and then receive one-on-one attention in the classroom. In this way, a student can spend class time asking questions about the material they learned on their own and receiving extra help. Also, in this new style of teaching, a student receives the opportunity to learn from many different people and sources. For example, the student doesn't just listen to the teacher speak about the Holocaust. The student can watch a video of a class that had just visited Auschwitz. The student can learn about real life experiences and get information that expands outside the classroom. This can help to spark interest in the classroom. It gives students a new perspective and helps to solve the problem of student's lack of excitement and interest in school. Google groups can help students learn. Students can easily communicate, talk about lectures, and ask questions. After studying this case, it is clear that the flipped classroom is a remedy that works. It helps to increase attendance rates and decrease failure and discipline rates.
I think that the Clintondale High School flipped classroom method will reduce the large failure rate. It will be helpful for students to be able to look back on lessons and can be a tool to help them, if they are having difficulty. I think that there should be more educators like Greg Green and that if there was, students would be more motivated, just because they have someone that will go to great lengths to see them succeed.
Greg Green, principal of Clintondale High School was very successful in his change of the school structure. "Flipping" the classroom to where the students watch teacher-made videos to learn the content prior to the class instead of homework (which is meant to supplement the lesson from that day). In Mr. Green's particular situation, the students were facing bigger challenges besides their homework. By "flipping the classroom" he saw drastic changes in the academic achievement of his students. I think the concept as a whole is extremely interesting and is showing great success. However, I feel that is depends on the content area and the area in which the school is located. More schools are going to have to try a flipped classroom in order to accurately make a statement. I do like that the students can look at lectures from across the world.
Christie M.
I think the concept of flipping classrooms is bold and innovative. This model emphasizes the importance of homework, which unless checked and corrected by teachers consistently, can either not be done fully or be completed with wrong answers. When this happens, homework loses its importance because while students are practicing the information outside of school, they are not doing it correctly. However, with this model there are also cons. One of my favorite things about being in a classroom is the possibility of a discussion occurring during the class. Discussions are vital to a classroom because students and the teacher are able to voice their opinions, concerns, misconceptions and ask questions. Discussions allow students and teachers to seriously think and consider another person's point of view, which leads to new understandings and asking questions. Watching a lecture takes away the possibility of discussions and can become mundane after a while. Even though this model has drastically improved the education system for Clintondale High School, I think there still there might be a better way to decrease their failure percentages even more, without solely using video lectures.
I'm surprised that I have never heard of the "flipping" technique before since the pilot program at Clintondale High School seems to be going well. I admire innovative tactics such as these for trying to "level the playing field" for students across diverse socio-economic backgrounds. As a student, I'm not convinced that this method would be conducive to optimal learning. If a student does not watch the lectures, he or she will get very little out of the school day. It seems like this method could make students apathetic. Also, our generation has a short attention span. I tend to lose interest in a video after 5 minutes, so I'm not sure how I would be able to sit down with extended lecture videos. However, I believe that making technology more accessible is a surefire way to improve student performance. The most important thing about this story is that the method is keeping kids interested, engaged, and willing to learn.
I think that the flipped classroom strategy would be very successful when applied to schools, it allows students to receive hands on help with their work when they were previously just told to go home and do it by themselves. Now they are able to focus on obtaining the knowledge in an environment where they can focus on what they are learning and then have a safe haven to receive extra attention that they would not have received had the school program been flipped in the opposite way.
I think the concept of the teaching technique of the "flip classroom" is an amazing idea. When I first heard of it, I didn't believe it would work, because what would prevent students from just not watching the videos assigned for homework like any other assignment. Although, while observing, i've realized how truly little time each class period is. It is crazy to think an educator can successfully get through all the material that is needed with the new Common Core Standards in the allotted school year. Students have questions, they should while they are learning, and that takes away from class time. With the "flip" model it leaves almost the entire time to clarify things for students one on one. I think the flip concept is a great teaching technique and that it could greatly benefit any school, not just those with high failure rates.
This new strategy is a very interesting perspective towards education. Most people don't abide by a sudden change, but others take the risk. I believe its very positive and productive strategy in low income neighborhoods where schools have low financial help overall. Greg Green has many great points that outdual the negative ones if any. children like change and if this strategy has worked positively towards their education, why change it? we can see that our old model hasn't been working and is rather a failure nationally. this strategy could be the future model for all schools around the U.S.
I think that the flipped classroom teaching technique can be very successful when applied to schools, it would allow the student to be able to receive hands on assistance with their work whereas before they were told to just go home and complete it on their own. Now they are able to focus on the knowledge in an environment that they can hewn in their focus on the topics they are learning and feel more comfortable learning and receiving extra attention if they require it, help in which they may not have received if the school had decided to flip the program in the opposite way. I think that the flip is a great teaching technique that can greatly benefit any school not just those with a higher failure rate.
I believe the idea of "flipping" is a very creative learning strategy. I think that the Clintondale principal is turning a bad situation into something the students are very eager to try. The method is a great way for teachers to see if their lessons are captivating but most important effective. And if they are not, the students have the ability to get help from their teachers in material they might not understand, helping them stay on track and not fall behind. Clearly with the results Clintondale High is getting it is safe to say this education model is successful, and other schools should take it into consideration. It's amazing to see teachers come together to come up with a blooming idea for the benefit of their students.
The concept of "flipping" a school was very innovative and new. From the Clintondale High School results it seemed like a very successful and bold idea. One thing I was unsure about was having students watch lengthy videos about a certain subject, as a student I feel like I would become impatient and lose focus throughout the video.
Matt EDU 364-05
I believe that what has occurred in Clintondale could be a very positive way to look at schools in the future. Having students do their homework in class and have lectures at home allows them to focus more on what they do not understand instead of sitting through a lecture. Also i think that it can benefit students by having the teacher individualize time to help them with their own questions in class.
The “flipped classroom” in Michigan has proved, with its drastic improvement in failure rates, that it works for that district. The overall failure rate decreased to 10%, which is phenomenal as their failure rate was so high before. In this particular high-needs school where most of the students commute from Detroit, it is difficult for the students to do their homework at home because either they do not have the support they need or the capability to do so. The “flipped classroom” works in this district because students need the extra support in school and are able receive it. In districts where resources are readily available with a majority of the students coming from stable families, it may not be such a useful tactic. Students having access to their teacher’s lectures outside of the classroom is important for all schools, and having access to the teacher while they’re doing their homework can also be a very helpful attribute. Although I really like this idea of a “flipped classroom” I don’t think it could work in every district because there are some schools in which the parents are very involved in the students education and they have the support they need to complete their assignments.
I think using the flip the classroom strategy in a school is very creative and unique. I like the idea that teachers record a lesson and post it on the computer for students to watch on their own time at home. This gives students the opportunity to have knowledge about a topic even before they enter the classroom. This gives them the opportunity to ask many questions in class. This technique might not work in all schools but in this situation at Clintondale High School it was very successful. It was great to see that the teachers could collaborate together to figure out a way to benefit their students.
I love when people think outside of the box and become proactive to fix the problem at hand. What I also thought was great about this principal was that he did not look to blame anyone for the existing problems. I think this flipped classroom is a great idea. I for one would have loved to have been in this kind of classroom when I was in high school. Having the lesson taught before the class, where I could view it at my own pace or watch it more than once would have been wonderful. Then going to class and actually doing the work is better than sitting there and being bored. I applaud Greg Green for giving his school and students this opportunity to succeed.
I believe that the "flipped classroom" is good to help decrease the failure rates in schools. It is also helpful for students to be able to look back on lessons that they may be struggling with. Greg Green chose a very effective way to educate children and I think that more educators should follow in his footsteps.As an educator Green wants his students to succede and that is what encourages his students to want to learn.
Thomas Dolan 364 05
I believe when you do not get the desired production you are striving for, sometimes drastic changes need to be made. This is what principal Greg Green did when he altered the way the students learned by doing homework in school and getting the lessons at home. Greg Green really helped give the students a support system that many were not receiving at home and this helped the students reach their full potential. Overall, through Greg Green's innovation and determination the school's performance has improved dramatically.
I think that the "flipped classroom" has the potential to lower the failure rate in many of our nation's schools. At Clintondale High it had great success. I think that this form of teaching may engage more students and help them to explore more than they possibly could in the traditional classroom (ex: interacting with teachers/students in other states/countries via the internet). I also think that it is helpful for students to watch a video prior to coming to class, so that they have more opportunities to ask questions and learn the material better. Although it is possible that this may not minimize failure everywhere, I think it is a great new innovative approach to teaching that should definitely be incorporated more in the classroom.
-Lauren G.
I am not fully shore if the flipped classroom is the key to failure. Sure, it may have had some success at Clintondale, but with only 18 months of observation, that sample size, with that school is quite small.
While I do think that this concept is a valuable instructional strategy, I do not feel that it will catch on as a large guide to governing our classrooms. Ultimately however, I think the teachers being given flexibility to teach with methods that can benefit each student will have the most impact. Its a tough task to ask, but one I think as educators we should shoo for.
I think Principal Green has tapped a really invaluable resource for his district, and has found what could be a life-altering teaching technique for schools around the country and beyond. I like the idea that it flips the classroom for the purpose of providing maximum benefit to the students, since they are the most important part of our educational system. It does a student no justice to teach them a lesson and send them home to do homework if their foundation is not strong enough, and they have no resources at home to help strengthen that foundation. Some students are fortunate enough to have access to technology to help with their assignments, or perhaps an older sibling or a parents who can help, or even a private tutor. However, the reality is that most students do not have access to these kinds of resources, and this further divides students on inequalities that they cannot control.
Having a student spend the time at home watching the video recorded lecture provides them with background knowledge they will need for applications, problems, or projects that the teacher can conduct in class. This really levels the playing field for students, who all have access to the teacher and to the same resources at this time. Like Lauren said, it gives our students the opportunity to explore more things than they ever could in a traditional classroom- more real-life applications of their learning, deep questioning and discussions with their teachers and peers, and even perhaps reaching out to other teachers and students across the country to share and broaden their learning.
I also think it is extremely valuable to all students, especially those who may be struggling, to have the teacher's lectures available on video. Students can refer back to the lectures for reinforcement, and re-watch them as study tools or to re-teach an aspect of a lecture they did not understand.
I think the flipped classroom is an incredibly creative and an extremely valuable tool that all teachers should consider for the benefit of their students.
I think Mr.Green's "flipped classroom" is an innovative and interesting alternative to traditional teaching methods. Although, it has only been tested for 18 months, the drastic results of improvement are encouraging. It is a reality that we need to address especially now in this age of technology, that some students will not have access to computers, ipads,etc. This certainly does impact their ability to do independent work at home-- giving them the opportunity to do it at school with all the tools they need is a great idea. Also, it alleviates some of the pressures felt by these students would like to complete assignments and feel a sense of accomplishment that goes along with that. I hope Principal's Greens idea continues to spread and help our teachers and students find alternative strategies to learning!
I've heard of flipped classrooms before, and after reading this article I still feel it is a great way to "flip" a bad situation into something new and improved. This new method of teaching is different particularly because students have resources at their fingertips that they may not have necessarily had before. Also, they are now reaching out to other schools all over the country to collaborate with. If students want to learn about a specific topic or subject, they can learn about it from someone who specializes in that subject, or someone who experienced an event, or someone who designed the place, etc. It is networking within schools that can prove to be extremely educational. This networking can not only benefit the students and teachers, but even the parents. Parents who help their children out with homework can also utilize these resources to go over the coursework with their child. I'm a huge fan of flipped classrooms and will certainly utilize this strategy.
Katie Risolo
I love the idea of a flipped classroom! I think that Greg Green has proven that this is an excellent strategy for reducing the failure rate. It is a way to excite kids about learning. What I really like is that by allowing students to listen to lectures via video through either a computer or smartphone, it gives the student complete control over that video. The student can stop it, rewind it, or fast forward it. If there is a student who has a processing disability or even an ESL student, that student can listen to that lecture more than once. If there is a student who has a hearing impairment, that student can read subtitles to go along with the video. It allows them to learn and process the information being taught at a time and place that is good for them.
The in-class time is spent doing homework or activities to reflect on what was taught during the video lecture. I think this is good for students because it gives them one on one time with the teacher, making much better use of classtime and allowing students to ask questions and gain a better understanding of anything they did not retain. The flipped classroom structure allows students to use the school computers (before or after school) to watch the lectures for the next day; creating a safe learning environment.
This is the solution for all of teachers, myself included, that say "I wish I could do this, or that, but there's not enough time in the school year." A flipped classroom functions as an excellent motivation for students, as well as gives teachers more time to accomplish what they need to.
I think the “flipped classroom” is a great way to reduce the large failure rate in our nation’s schools. I really like the idea of having the students come into school with the content knowledge already and then spend class time working on problems, papers, or projects. It allows the students to receive one-to-one help from the teacher that usually doesn’t happen in the regular classroom. The teacher acts like a facilitator in the classroom while the students work on their own. I feel that it creates a sense of responsibility and independence. I feel that it probably boost student’s confidence because they come in already knowing what they are going to do in the classroom. I really think the “flipped classroom” is an innovated way to teaching.
I'm very interested and agree with Greg Green's concept of having a "flipped classroom". I think it is a great way to have students more engaged in the classroom as well as increase their academic achievement. I remember when I was in high school and I had some trouble on some homework assignments, and I was nervous and upset and not doing a great job on my homework due to the fact that I had no proper guidance at home to help me with the homework. I also remember trying and having a difficult time processing the lectures and information I received from school at home. This idea of "flipping the classroom" allows students to do their homework in the classroom and spend more time discussing and asking questions about what they learned through these instruction videos and have more one on one guidance from the teacher. I also love the idea of networking and providing students the resources of learning from other expert teachers from all around the world so they can have a better understanding of the content they are learning, for example having students learn about the Holocaust from someone who lives near an area that had a concentration camp. I really am impressed with his idea and would love to jump on board when I am teaching in my future classroom.
This article on flipped classrooms was very interesting. I can definitely see both the positives and negatives to using the "flipped classroom" technique. While I see both the positives and negatives, I believe using this technique has more positives. Not only is there proof showing how successful a flipped classroom could be based on Clintondale High, but I also believe using any technique that helps personalize a lesson and develop a teacher and student relationship is great. This form of teaching will also help students engage and interact more, based on their own terms. A flipped classroom helps students learn material on their own and become well acquainted with it, before discussing it in the classroom which is also great. While there is no gaurantee that this will minimize the failure rate in all schools, it definitely does not hurt to try.
I think this new idea is an interesting one and it may help get and keep students motivated. But I wonder if the flipped classroom method is the answer to the high failure rate in schools. My guess is no. I noticed in a few blogs that student driven lessons, ideas, and curriculum have positive effects on their willingness to learn and participate but I am sure it is not the same for every individual. For many students the idea of "If I do- I learn" works for them. I imagine if students could teach themselves all the time by doing all their own research on things by way of the web, then we wouldn’t need teachers anymore. I feel purposeful activities are necessary and students should contribute in various ways but I also feel that a more structured and supported approaches can be the key to some individual success. What happens to the children who are not good with technology? I will use this method at various times as an educator but not as a means to the end of student failure. I am glad that principles like Greg Green are creating ways to help students achieve success, but we should not stop here.
-Gina A.
I believe that the principal at Clintondale High is being resourceful and innovative with the current situation of his school. However, I am personally not a fan of a flipped classroom. Although I think it is extremely beneficial for the students to have access to class lectures and resources outside of the classroom. I also think that when we are teaching we are doing more then feeding information. Although I think that combining a flipped classroom and traditional room would be beneficial, I also think that we need to maintain the foundation and structure of a classroom. In addition, the flipped classroom seems to be very beneficial for general education students, however for a student with a disability I do not see this model being extremely effective.
Danielle Collins says...
I think the flipped classroom could be beneficial because they are reaching the students in a different way. Posting videos of the lesson for the students to refer too when their home. Allowing more time in the classroom for fun, rather than lecture. bringing technology into play will automatically have the students more involved. Having support to do hw at school i see as helpful because many kids dont have support when they go home, so them doing the independent work could be useless without someone there to assist. This idea i think would only be beneficial for certain schools and students, but could have a good outcome because of the technology use.
I think that the idea of "flipping" the classroom is a great and effective way to benefit schools that are high needs who do not have the funding or access to resources that other schools have. Greg Green is doing an excellent job in putting in much effort to help improve schools get back on the right track.
I believe what Clintondale is doing is a major step towards the future of education. You always see teachers on TV's teaching their class in science fiction movies but here it is put in action. I couldn't think of a better way for students to discover the information of a lesson before the class begins. Now students have more time for classwork and assessments during class. students are also able to go back and look at lessons at home which they are not able to do now in many schools. I believe this will help all students and one day would not mind taking part of myself.
-Michael O'Keeffe
I believe what this principal is doing is absolutely amazing. I really like the idea of a flipped classroom because it gives the students and teachers the opportunity to find a solution to help students continue their education. I also really liked that his school is teaming up with other schools to get resources and ideas on how to better his school. I really liked this idea because why shouldn't schools team up together to better each other? This will allow schools to become better than they already are and in this case with this principal, help his students learn and become better people. Teachers should come together in their own schools because our main mission as teachers is to help our students not compete with each other.
I believe that the new idea of flipped instruction would be a good idea according to what the principal said. Students get the benefit of working on prior knowledge and do not have to go home and try to remember lectures given in class that they can vaguely recall, leading to questions and homework trouble. It is a great idea to have extra services for children at school so they do not fall behind, and they all become more engaged with using new technology. Even though technology is great, where are the hands-on activities children need as well, along with the teacher’s ability and familiarity with technology? In response to watching this video, I do not think that flipped classroom instruction is the remedy to the high failure rate in schools. I do not understand what the point of educators would be, and children, but yes, students can discover new information before lessons, which is why I would want to use this method occasionally.
After reading the article and watching the video, I believe that "flipped classroom" is the remedy that will reduce the large failure rate in our nation's schools. I think that this strategy will work since the statistics have shown success but I would like to research more about it. I like that students can watch the lesson at home which allows more time in the classroom for what ever else the teacher wants to do. I also like that they can watch the lesson as much as they want, I think it is helpful in case they get lost or want to study. I think it is a good idea but not all the lessons should be done this way, I agree with also teaching students the way we should, in the classroom.
A flipped classroom is a unique concept that I never heard of or even thought of before. I was somewhat surprised to see the success that the flipped classroom had at the school in Detroit, just because this idea is extremely reliant on the students attentively watching these lessons or lectures and taking adequate notes. If a student does not do that, then I think that leaves the teacher in a very difficult situation. The teacher cannot re-teach the entire lesson to that student as the other students who watched the lesson and just need some one on one help will not receive that, which is the point to begin with. That being said, I do think that there could be some positives to this if it is executed flawlessly and the students buy in. The best part about this program would be that students would come in to school always with adequate prior knowledge in order to take part in the activity or do the work that is required in class. That is something that I have found in my observations thus far in my field work that is lacking with many students. It is like a snowball, where they fall behind because they lack the prior knowledge to fully grasp the lesson and they have a hard time catching up. So, there are pro's and con's to this but I generally don't think this would work too well in the long term.
The idea of the flipped classroom is very interesting to me. However, I do not think that all schools and classrooms should adopt this idea. I think this might be used best based on the students. The benefits of the flipped classroom is that students can do their homework in the least restrictive and safe environment with teachers to assist them and any necessary technology or supplies that they may need that they may not have at home. This will definitely be useful in low income communities where students may not have a lot of support at home. However, in more fortunate communities, this may not work-or have any real benefits. The school principal in this video works in a financially challenged school in Detroit. This is the type of school where flipped classrooms would be very beneficial.
Giovanna Bove
Blog Reflection #10
I believe the “flipped classroom” strategy is very effective for students who want to do better in school but has a flaw for students who don’t care. I believe students who want better grades would greatly benefit from this strategy. There have been countless times growing up where I was doing my homework and wished my teacher was there so I could ask a question. The majority of the time I would tell myself I would ask it in class the next day but then I would forget my question by the time I went to class. Students should be using class time to ask any questions they have on the material. They should receiving and reviewing the information at home on their own and practicing it in class with the teacher and peers. By practicing in class you are allowing the students to also socialize and learn from each other.
Although there are many positive aspects to this strategy there is a flaw for students who do not care about doing well in school. If students do not watch the videos they are given then they will not learn the material at all and will do worse on practice problems. This will cause them to not participate in class and fall even more behind. I love this strategy but at the same time hate it because of the flaw in it.
I believe this strategy is a very creative and clever way to look at education. This model has great potential to reduce the failure rate in our nation’s schools; as the article explained, this model has reduced the failure rate at Clintondale High. These students are now given a better opportunity to succeed; for example, the students can watch lectures from other schools in the United States and overseas. This allows the students to have more resources than their textbooks while at home.
I really enjoyed reading about the flipped classrooms and it gave me some ideas. Yes, I think the flipped classroom will be useful in reducing failure in schools. I believe this system will work because the students need structure, motivation, and interested in the subject. I noticed that today’s generation students are learning from the internet, mainly from YouTube videos. I liked the idea that the teachers are making videos for the students to view at school or at home. Then when they are in their classrooms they are engaging in the projects. In addition, another idea I liked was connecting with other schools around the world.
I feel this system will work in other underprivileged schools in the United States. I previously worked as a teaching assistant at a middle school in Westbury, New York. I noticed the similarities between students from Clintondale and the students from Westbury. In both schools the student weren’t paying attention, they weren’t doing their homework, and they were being disruptive. If Westbury implemented the flipped classrooms I believe they can change their schools failure rate as well.
Yes, I believe the flipped classroom could greatly help schools that have high drop-out rates and failing rates. This will engage many students who mentally "check out" of school at young ages. It will make school more fun and worthwhile. More importantly, it is a change to the schooling system that has been failing in poorer areas for so long. Some type of change needs to be made because it is clear that the present one is not working for some failing schools. As teachers and administrators continue to work on creative and innovative ways of using technology to better the education of students, schools will start to improve for these students who have very little hope.
The flipped classroom has become quite an educational buzzword as of late, and like most trends and innovations in education, It has both strengths and weaknesses, and may be effective depending upon a variety of conditions and variables.
The idea itself, while touted as new and innovative, seems to me to bear a very close similarity to the Thayer Method, developed by Sylvanus Thayer in the 19th century and still practiced to this day at West Point Military Academy. The only difference that I can see is the medium, videos instead of books. Also, while I cannot speak for other subjects that I have never taught, I can certainly attest that every I and every science teacher I have ever worked with have been employing a similar methodology for decades. In many instances, I will require my students to read or view online resources prior to an in-class activity in which they will be required to employ what they have learned from the out-of-school information.
Clintondale High School has certainly shown some dramatic results from their flipped-classroom experiment, but a closer examination of the method in which the experiment has been deployed reveals a number of flaws that to me call in to question the actual effectiveness of the flipped classroom model. It has been noted that at Clintondale the model has proven most effective when the length of the videos is limited to 3 to 6 minutes. While the flipped model in Clintondale was compared with “traditional” classrooms, it seems possible from this outcome that the effect may be related to attention span rather than any pedagogical change. I would be interested in seeing how the flipped classroom model compares to a more traditional classroom model in which lecture and instruction is presented in shorter durations interspersed with activities or turn-and-talk sessions.
Another significant drawback to the model is the likelihood that economically disadvantaged students who may not have access to a device or reliable internet access in order to do view the required material. Principal Green in the video rather flippantly states that “Most schools have laptops and desktops available for students to use.” I believe he is making quite a big assumption in this case. I was recently called upon to help find a solution for a teacher in another school that I am acquainted with, who is employing a flipped model, who was facing this exact problem. A student, who despite being given the use of a district laptop, did not have internet access at home. We were able t rectify the problem by downloading and converting the youtube videos, and copying them onto the students computer for offline access. To do this on a larger scale in a district with a larger percentage of economically disadvantaged population might prove to be a daunting task, not to mention the cost of providing devices to students by the district, as I expect would be required.
The flipped classroom model also fails to address the question of differentiation of instruction and differing learning styles. The non-interactive nature of a video leaves the student without recourse if he or she has a question about the content during the session, and could leave them bewildered and then unprepared for the work that would continue in the classroom.
Also left unaddressed is the fact that a flipped classroom model requires an increased level of student personal responsibility and self-motivation in order to keep up with the required out-of-school activity. While cadets at West Point are certainly likely to display the maturity level necessary, the assumption that all students in a typical school are developmentally ready for such responsibility is naïve at best.
(Continued)
Principal Green also mentions that “We have extended our services at the beginning of the day, end of the day, and lunchtime.” He says nothing of the cost of doing so. Faculty and staff, IT support personnel, and others must be paid for their time, and while new and experimental methodologies may be likely to obtain funding from grants and similar sources, such funding dries up once these pedagogical practices become more widespread and mainstream, leaving them underfunded and doomed to failure.
This is not to say that a flipped classroom model cannot work well. A distinct advantage of the flipped model is that if employed correctly, it allow for maximization of utilization of valuable classroom time. The positive results at Clintondale High School are undeniable, whatever the root cause may be. I believe that for a population or class of motivated, self-disciplined learners, a flipped classroom model would provide a far superior educational experience. As stated earlier, many teachers, myself included, have used a variation of this model to some degree for decades, if not centuries, attesting to it’s effectiveness. It however is not, just like all pedagocal innovations and ideas that have come before it, a one-size-fits-all universal solution. It is a tool that may fit certain situations well, and others not so well.
I first started this article believing there is no true solution for the failure rate issues in schools. To my surprise, the story of Clintondale High School has made me consider changing my opinion concerning this after learning their perspective of the flipped classroom. The flipped classroom has always sounded like an idea I must try in my own classroom, but I didn't see just how significant it could be until reading this. What really caught me was the idea that you don't always have to be the lecturer. Principal Green mentioned that they actively seek out lectures created by topic specific experts in order to provide quality education regardless of school budget. Finding experts immersed in the material will provide more opportunities for students to become inspired to learn.
Other ideas which I found appealing were the use of Google Group so students may communicate among each other using the same technology they will "attend" lectures with. This is a decent enough support and allows students to discuss the material and get the ball rolling for the classroom, where study skills are honed with independent and group exercise of the material. The article writes that the flip is necessary considering that parents are now more unfamiliar with the content school are teaching than ever before with the Common Core approach implemented.
After reading this article by this principle I feel so badly for him. The conditions he is facing and mountain he must climb, although shocking, is not uncommon for a failing or underachieving school. It seems that this principal has all the right intentions and hopefully all of his teaching staff will be on board with his ideas and values in order to provide a better learning environment for these students. It is shocking sometimes how school districts change all over. In one town the level of education and motivation can be through the roof and students succeed, and want to come to school and in another town students might not even show up most of the time because of their awful lives and home and socioeconomic statuses. I believe it would be very interesting to work in a district like this, even for just a few years, to see how these schools deal with these students and issues and why these schools truly are failing. Working in a school district like this would be so rewarding and I would love to be able to get through to even a few students in order to change their lives in some type of way.
I believe that the “flipped class” could be a way to reduce failure rate for schools in our country. I think it is a great idea to give students a “preview” of the lesson. I also like that there are other schools who participate in this model. Schools can look at other schools for lectures. The principal made a good point that when students leave at the end of the day, they do not continue to learn. This model allows students to do their homework at school. I have a few concerns. Are students actually watching video lectures? How are they monitored? Are there certain expectations the students must complete after watching a lecture?
Tara Berglind
Do you think the "flipped classroom" is the remedy that will reduce the large failure rate in our nation's schools? Post a comment explaining why or why not you think this strategy will work?
After watching this video and reading the article about the flipped classroom, I am a bit intrigued with the idea. I am not sure whether the idea of having the kids learn the material at home and then coming into school to reinforce what it is that they learned, is a good one that will work. The idea or concept of the flipped classroom is a great one, but the problem is that the majority of the kids will no do the work they need to do outside of the classroom on their free time. There are some kids that will do the work and will succeed when it comes to the flipped classroom, but those are the kids that over achieve. There are many factors that educators have to take in account when thinking about the flipped classroom, such as family life. Some kids who go to school act as mom or dad at home and have to take care of a family. If a 15 year old kid has to worry about cooking dinner or taking care of younger brothers or sisters, then how could you expect that student to either come into school early or try and do the work at home. Also, many kids nowadays have jobs after school. Kids need to work, and it is not really fair to have them try and learn the material after school if they have a job. Overall, the concept of the flip classroom is a good concept and should still be thought about, but i truly believe that the flip classroom is one that will not function and will never succeed.
I think that a flipped classroom is a great idea for material reinforcement/academic enrichment. I do not think that this will reduce the nation's failure rate as it is still up to the student to be proactive with their home studies. There is plenty of material online that students are capable of accessing as follow-ups to their in class assignments, however the number of students that take advantage of such resources is very low (at least in my class). I think that a flipped classroom may be beneficial if it is attached with proper assessments so that students are help accountable for their own enrichment.
-Gabriel Ramos
In this individual case, a Flipped Classroom undoubtedly affected students for the better; however, I do not believe that this remedy, and this remedy alone, will be an option to cure every school that struggles. For instance, a high school filled with underprivileged children will not be able to expect its students to use technology outside of the classroom to further their education. More often than not, these students do not have the resources to engage in this type of collaborative network of knowledge in the way that was implemented in this particular instance. However, the effort that this high school put forward is a step in the right direction. Utilizing technology to connect students and teachers, both locally and around the world, is a profound and important shift in the educational climate, and if these measures are continued to be made, schools at the top and the bottom of the success spectrum will benefit from the innumerable advantages that technology can offer in (and out) of the classroom setting. And while this method was properly utilized for this high school, it is important to remember that the malleable and personalized nature of technology can be applied in numerous ways to fit the needs of any school or student.
Overall I am very torn about whether or not the “flipped classroom” is the remedy that will reduce the large failure rate in our nation’s schools. From what I understand, students will hear the lectures at home to build up that knowledge before they discuss it further in class. Teaching special education students this would a waste of time due to them need things more simple for them to understand. I believe that students need to try the work on their own to show whether or not they understand the content, that way the teacher may go back and reteach if necessary.
I do agree that sometimes students do not have a support system at home that may assist them in their homework, which would help them get better grades, but there are different ways to help this. Students who need additional support may receive it in ways that fit them best. There is no need to change the model for everyone.
I think that the idea as a whole is so interesting and so "with the times". While I do think that it is effective (as the statistics show) I'm not sure that this could be a method that would work for every failing school/classroom. I like the idea of the students coming to school having an idea of what they will be learning about, and already have some background knowledge of what they will be discussing in school. However, might this discourage kids from coming to school if they feel like they can learn it all at home by watching the videos? I'm not sure. The idea of additional support is one which I don't think anyone would think is a bad idea; if I could have had a video of my math teacher doing the lesson over at home, I think it would have benefited me in high school. I do agree with Kerri in the fact that many students do not have a support system at home to assist them, so the videos might solve that problem but I don't think this flipped classroom is a remedy for everyone.
I do believe that flipped classrooms will help reduce some of the failure rates in schools. For starters, the use of technology could be used for teachers to record their lecture on their content and students could view them anytime they please. This also helps students familiarize themselves with the content and not solely rely on the teacher, but can also can help students take breaks from processing a lot of information. Students could also review when they are having difficulty. "The model allows students to get one-to-one help" and they use "Google groups" if students need assistance. Students can also choose a teacher from anywhere around the globe that perhaps they feel has a similar learning style as them. At Clintondale High School they have proven their flipped classroom model a success. Since the start of using the flipped classroom model, attendance has gone up and failure rates have improved in the four main content areas. For example, English went from a 52% failure rate to 19% failure rate.
Allison Schmidt
I think the “flipped classroom” is a great idea. I have attended a PD workshop on flipping the classroom before, and I thought it was very cool and an engaging technique for students to learn. I think it is extremely beneficial, because many of us only have students for a 40-minute period. Most of the time at the beginning of class is spent checking homework and then new providing new instruction on the new topic that day. However, if you use the flipped classroom method, students already come into class with knowledge of the topic, and much instruction may not necessarily be needed. This allows the teacher to provide more time for hands on tasks where students can work independently, in small groups, or one on one with the teacher to show their understanding. It also provides the opportunity for struggling students to receive more one-on-one scaffolding from the teacher. Although I believe this is a great method and it will help our nation’s problem, I don’t know if I believe it is a complete remedy for reducing the failure rate in our nation’s schools. Some schools are not capable of getting a Technology grant, and some students may not have access to technology at home. Therefore, the “flipped classroom” method would not work in these cases. Nonetheless, I do like the idea of this strategy, and would like to try to implement it into my classroom more often.
This idea of a flipped classroom to me seems unrealistic. Yes, the idea of it seems perfect, but I have a strong feeling that students are not getting the most out of the lesson that they could be getting. I know that if I was a student in this model, I would not do well. Watching videos and lectures online is very difficult for me. Even being in this hybrid course is difficult for me because I forget about the work that is online. I also think that students may have a more difficult time learning new information. If students are confused on a topic, they have no one to ask questions to. Allison brings a good point that a lot of class is spent checking homework, but if the homework is beneficial to the lesson being taught, then it is not a waste of time. This model makes me very uneasy and I am not sure if I would enjoy being a teacher in this environment either.
I think that the flipped classroom is a great idea in theory. In this school's case, it seems like a great idea that is working for these students. I like that it allows for the use of technology and that it can be interactive and engaging for students. However, I don't necessarily agree that this strategy alone would necessarily work for other schools that have large failure rates. While the idea of having students learn the material outside of school and then complete the work in school may work for some, I think that it could also have the reverse affect. Some students might not take advantage of viewing the videos outside of school and then in turn may still be lost when they are in school. Although it is a great use of technology and other resources, I don't think that it can be the sole remedy for improving large failure rates in all schools.
I believe the idea of a flipped classroom is a little ridiculous. Students come to school to learn not to do homework. That is why HOMEwork is done at HOME. I do believe that the use of technology to better explain certain topics is a great idea. Teachers can pull the information from the experts in those particular topics from the internet and show their classes. When a student has a question the teacher will be able to help them on the spot instead of the student possibly forgetting their question or disregarding it for the next in class day. The whole point of a flipped classroom is to give those students who come from families who economically struggle a more equal playing field when it comes to learning. In order for this to work these students need the technology to view the lessons. Yes, the school provides them with the resources but that defeats the whole purpose of learning the information at home and then coming to school to reinforce it. Teachers and students explore and learn together which is more efficient in providing a better education system. It expands the knowledge of the students as well as the teachers. I believe this idea of a flipped classroom is unrealistic and although it is working in this particular school, I don't believe that it will work all over the country.
I think the idea of a "flipped classroom" is very interesting but a little unrealistic. Yes it will allow students to do better in school and failure rates to decrease. I like how it allow students to come into school that morning and know what they will be learning that day. Technology is a tool being used in the classroom everyday and it is a great strategy for students but when the students hear the lectures at home and many students may not be able to retain and recall all the information. As a special education teacher I do not think this would be the best thing for students who have any type of disabilities or struggle academically. Special education students need things more simplified and that is the teachers job to teach and break down the information for the students. Reteaching the information is important and yes these students can get these resources but it does not mean they will follow through and learn from the information so either way you still need to teach the material.
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