The Flipped Classroom: The Future of 21st Century Education?
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As a future educator, it is my
responsibility to discover the most effective ways to operate my classroom. By
combining the effective techniques from the past with the new and emerging
educational theories, future educators will be constructing a new story in
education (Drake, Reid & Kolohon, 2014). But what will the new story
entail? Personally, I believe one of the teaching practices that will be
essential in improving our education system will be the flipped classroom model.
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| Image Retrieved from www.knewton.com/flipped-classroom/ |
The flipped classroom model aims in
creating a system where the student goes over the lesson at home, and uses
class time to work on the homework (Knewton, 2011). By flipping the current traditional
model on its head, students will be able to gain knowledge effectively and
efficiently. With all students showing up to class with a general understanding
on the topic, the teacher has the ability to focus on the application of the
knowledge they learned the night before. While working through the homework,
the teacher walks around the class, offering
assistance to students who are
struggling. Before these students may have just given up on the homework if
they didn’t have any help at home, but in this new model, they receive the help
they require instantly. Maintaining a positive classroom environment is very
important as when students get discouraged, they begin to resist learning.
Since the flipped classroom model is
a 21st century idea, it relies heavily on the Internet and
technology (Herreid & Schiller, 2013). When students go home for the day, they will be required to go over
the lesson for tomorrow. This entails them going online to watch pre-recorded
video sessions, go through online modules, or for just reading information. For
the students who do not have access to these tools at home, teachers can
provide the information in the form of text, or the student can use school
resources to ensure they are still getting the proper education. The following video shows how the flipped model can be applied in a traditional classroom.
Video from YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojiebVw8O0g
My education class this semester is
my first class to utilize this model and therefore; I have been lucky enough to
experience first hand the benefits it brings to the table. The class has
shifted from a traditional lecture format to an active learning approach. The
majority of class time is occupied with class discussions and group work,
allowing me, the student to build knowledge for myself, making education more
meaningful. In a lecture of 100 students, it would be very difficult to imply
student-centered learning in a traditional setting. In the flipped classroom,
teachers act as facilitators, and therefore instead of lecturing, they can
utilize their time to help students make sense of the information. Also by
creating an active learning center, I am more engaged and excited to go to
class, as I no longer am sitting in a seat for three hours simply copying off
notes from a slide show.
The flipped classroom will allow
students to make the most out of class time, and allow teachers to personalize
education. It creates a student-centered environment where students will learn
actively, straying away from the traditional lecture format. I believe this
model is the future of 21st century education and it will definitely
be a strategy I will implement when I become a teacher.
References
Drake, S., Kolohon, W., & Reid, J. (2014). Interweaving
curriculum and classroom assessment: Engaging the 21st century learner. Don
Mills, Ontario: Oxford University Press.
Flipped Classroom - Unlimited Personalized Lessons from
Knewton. (n.d.). Retrieved October 8, 2015, from
https://www.knewton.com/flipped-classroom/
Herried, C., & Schiller, N. (n.d.). Case Studies and the
Flipped Classroom. Retrieved October 8, 2015, from
http://archive.aacu.org/pkal/regionalnetworks/documents/CRWG-SPEE-REF-01.pdf
