As my flip progresses students are getting the hang of it and offering suggestions. Imagine that students having a say in how they learn or how they are taught (sarcasm). They are now asking do I have to check the website. My response is you should be checking the website everyday. They are taking to it pretty well. But as I said yesterday there will be train wrecks but we can even learn from the wrecks.
Some of the comments from students pertain to the videos. They do not want to see my face, I need to speak up and putting music in the background helps with the material. I learned this from another flipper Krista Price of Oxford Community Schools (Check her resources out at www.kristaprice.com and www.youtube.com/kristadawnprice or on iTunesU at MiLearn). Many students like that they can go to a central spot and find out what they missed when they were absent.
I knew this going in but flipping involves a lot more work and planning. However, what we do in class is taking on more meaning for the students. Finally, I am finding flipping is reinvigorating my teacher and my students.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Monday, January 9, 2012
Flip Day Three-Independent Group Work
Today was a day to see how the students could work together in a group with minimal instruction. Chemistry classes were involved in creating graphics on how to solve either formula mass, molar mass or percent composition problems. My first period class was somewhat at a loss on what to do when they are not directly being "spoon fed". However, once they got going the all started to interact with their groups and got the exercise started and worked out. After they were done many started to "decorate" their board. I do not see this as a bad thing if they can put together the science with something they enjoy I feel that they will remember the science better when it comes time for an assessment. My last chemistry class did a much better job than my first period but they are a more hands on group.
In forensic science to day students will be using calipers to measure the caliber of shell casings and spent bullets. This again is an exercise where students need to work together to check each others work and learn how to use a new measuring tool. Both classes did well after the "aren't you going to help us" phase. The exciting part of this was as the students measured the different type of casing they started asking questions? "What would you use this for?" "How did this get so distorted?" In a lecture type environment this would not have happened. Now they have their hands on it and are able to look, touch and feel. I would say the forensic science activity was a success.
Still after a week feeling positive about the changes but I am very aware that like in any method there will be those days that won't go so well. But when that happens we assess, reflect and correct.
In forensic science to day students will be using calipers to measure the caliber of shell casings and spent bullets. This again is an exercise where students need to work together to check each others work and learn how to use a new measuring tool. Both classes did well after the "aren't you going to help us" phase. The exciting part of this was as the students measured the different type of casing they started asking questions? "What would you use this for?" "How did this get so distorted?" In a lecture type environment this would not have happened. Now they have their hands on it and are able to look, touch and feel. I would say the forensic science activity was a success.
Still after a week feeling positive about the changes but I am very aware that like in any method there will be those days that won't go so well. But when that happens we assess, reflect and correct.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
What K-12 Teacher Had The Biggest Affect On Your Life?
What K-12 teacher had the biggest affect on your life? For me it was Dr. Ben Peyton Biology Teacher Westview High School Kankakee, IL. He instilled an interest in Science and the world around in me.
Friday, January 6, 2012
Flip Day Two-Progress and Fixes
Today was one of those days. We have a reduced schedule today to make room for Activity Day. This was a reward for the students and staff donating over 3000 items of food for our district food bank program. But on with the update. Since we only had 35 minutes a class with many absent we still went on with the show. Since doing the flip and using LiveBinders today's discussions, work etch were posted to the binder.
However, students are already getting used to it and asked if they needed to check the LiveBinder for homework. So they are training themselves too.
We have found an issue though. It seems since I embed google apps in my LiveBinders IE does not like it. Thus, I have told the students to either use Google Chrome (default browser at school) or Firefox. Not a big deal but a bug that can be eliminated for next year.
Today's positive and take away: Students making an effort to use the new tools and I am feeling better prepared and organized.
I would like to acknowledge the help and support I am getting from my #flipclass PLN on Twitter. Good people to follow too. @bennettscience @ramusallam @chemicalsams @jonbergmann @jcorripo Thanks guys!
However, students are already getting used to it and asked if they needed to check the LiveBinder for homework. So they are training themselves too.
We have found an issue though. It seems since I embed google apps in my LiveBinders IE does not like it. Thus, I have told the students to either use Google Chrome (default browser at school) or Firefox. Not a big deal but a bug that can be eliminated for next year.
Today's positive and take away: Students making an effort to use the new tools and I am feeling better prepared and organized.
I would like to acknowledge the help and support I am getting from my #flipclass PLN on Twitter. Good people to follow too. @bennettscience @ramusallam @chemicalsams @jonbergmann @jcorripo Thanks guys!
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Flip Day One
Just a quick update on my flip. Today was the first real day of the flip. I had some surprising results. In my 1st hour Chem class most had watched the video and were prepared to get going. That class thus far went the best. My 3rd hour which is my "difficult" Forensic Science class was very successful at their homework. Most had done the assignment. However, my 4th period class which usually excels at most of what I ask, had only one person do the assignment. My 6th period At Risk class did OK. Not sure how well they will take to the new flip. They are the ones least interested in being here. I will have to work slowly and carefully with them.
The one great positive out of this may be the use of a LiveBinder to organize the class. It will be very easy for a student now to go find out what they missed on a given day because it will all be online and in one place. No more asking what did I miss.
Finally, part of the class was reminding them what to do each day and where to go. I feel the next few days will be the training cycle. So far after one day I feel it will go well and personally I feel much better about what I am doing for them.
The one great positive out of this may be the use of a LiveBinder to organize the class. It will be very easy for a student now to go find out what they missed on a given day because it will all be online and in one place. No more asking what did I miss.
Finally, part of the class was reminding them what to do each day and where to go. I feel the next few days will be the training cycle. So far after one day I feel it will go well and personally I feel much better about what I am doing for them.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
A New Beginning-Flip Class
Today is a new beginning for my students and me.
Today I introduced my classes to the "flip" concept. Both of my preps will be using it. I currently teach Forensic Science and General Chemistry. Forensic Science is an elective composed mainly of seniors. General Chemistry is a required class (by the state) for graduation. My students in Chemistry are either considered At Risk, 504 students or SPED. They are here because they have to be not because they want to be. My goal with them will be to make the class more interesting, more hands on and less talk.
While flip has many meanings I look it as more blending online with in class activities. A brief survey today found that 90% of my students have internet access at home. 99% have internet or a DVD player or can stay after school or get hear early. Only 1% don't have internet or a DVD player. My solution will be to supply paper copies to that group. I have created a Google Voice number for student to call in their responses for those that don't have home tech access or they can just show me their notes. I feel it is very important to keep things as simple and short as possible and not let the students have an excuse not to do the "assignment". My goal in this area is not to take up more than 10 minutes of their home time. They may take longer but it is their option and not my requirement.
A friend of mine that does this already says it takes training the students and putting everything in one place. I have done that with my website. So we here go on a great adventure! I'm excited! Finally, I will be posting periodic updates here.
Today I introduced my classes to the "flip" concept. Both of my preps will be using it. I currently teach Forensic Science and General Chemistry. Forensic Science is an elective composed mainly of seniors. General Chemistry is a required class (by the state) for graduation. My students in Chemistry are either considered At Risk, 504 students or SPED. They are here because they have to be not because they want to be. My goal with them will be to make the class more interesting, more hands on and less talk.
While flip has many meanings I look it as more blending online with in class activities. A brief survey today found that 90% of my students have internet access at home. 99% have internet or a DVD player or can stay after school or get hear early. Only 1% don't have internet or a DVD player. My solution will be to supply paper copies to that group. I have created a Google Voice number for student to call in their responses for those that don't have home tech access or they can just show me their notes. I feel it is very important to keep things as simple and short as possible and not let the students have an excuse not to do the "assignment". My goal in this area is not to take up more than 10 minutes of their home time. They may take longer but it is their option and not my requirement.
A friend of mine that does this already says it takes training the students and putting everything in one place. I have done that with my website. So we here go on a great adventure! I'm excited! Finally, I will be posting periodic updates here.
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