(Full disclosure: This blog post was inspired by reading Students as Creators of Content by John Bergman and Changing Gears 2012: rejecting the “flip” by Ira David Socol.)
So this whole idea of flipping the classroom seems to be all the rage in some circles. A school in Detroit is trying to “flip” most of its classes. The flipped classroom in short is where the students are assigned to watch a video demonstration or lecture at home and then come to school to work on the concepts that were shown to them via video at home. Teachers are then freed from presenting content and can help guide students as they work on what would have been homework in the classroom. I am not saying that using this model has no value. Any type of teaching/learning model where the teacher, the students, and their parents have buy in and belief in the value of the practice there is certainly merit. BUT, is this model really a change from what has been the norm in classrooms for decades? If the “flip” model is simply taking the presentation part of the lesson and pushing it outside the school day and then having students do what would have been homework during the now freed up class time, it is simply a very small deviation (if at all) from the status quo. A status quo that is not working well for many of our kids today. The one thing that this flipped classroom model demonstrates very well is that schools are not citadels where knowledge is stored and teachers have the magical keys to release the scarce information to the dutiful student. If the flipped model is truly the best way for students to learn, then the Kahn Academy just as well take over the industry and we can be done with all this frivolous talk about school reform.
I like what I read on John Bergman’s website, especially in his post titled What I believe About Learning and Teaching. His explanation of the “flipped” classroom is much more eloquent than what I can write…read his. I believe we need to “flip” educational practices on their proverbial heads. We can start by doing things very differently….
- Getting rid of the rigid time guidelines we use in schools
- Changing credit associated to seat time to credit associated with demonstration of mastery
- Stop requiring very different students to take and pass all the same requirements
- Giving teachers time to take part in a professional learning community where practices can be honed and collaboration with a global learning community can be used.
- Getting rid of one subject only course requirements and utilizing more project based work that integrates multiple disciplines.
- Bring in resources and experts from the community and beyond to interact with students to supplement daily activities. There are no excuses to not tap into the capabilities that modern networking affords.
- Have students consider local problems and research and propose solutions using expertise from around the world. Having students do real work and create real working solutions that contribute to their communities and beyond.
Imagine if we took the resources we are spending today to prove that the current system is working (i.e. NCLB, testing, accountability, ad nauseum) and used them to train teachers and build experiences in which our student could really learn to manipulate their environments for the good of all……just the thought of it has me “Flippin’ Out!”
Photo courtesy of the San Diego Shooter’s Photostream on Flickr
A couple of weeks ago I received an email from a parent that has really set me to thinking about many things. Sometimes there are situations where students go way beyond the expectations of educators and achieve what was thought to be unattainable. When students exceed expectations we celebrate those great accomplishments and pat ourselves on the backs for a job well done. But, sometimes expectations are set so low that student growth and achievement are actually repressed. Sadly, this is sometimes the case with students that have IEP’s. Students in special education programs become labeled as those who “do not learn” as opposed to those “who learn differently” They are sorted into underserved groups, and are sometimes left out and are often left behind. Every once in a while a child overcomes great odds and makes remarkable progress despite the system. Sometimes it is a great teacher that makes the difference for a child with special needs, but without the diligent support and efforts of extraordinary parents many of the students in special education programs are doomed to low expectations and disruptive classrooms. The following is from a parent who emailed me about their child’s experience in our school system:
Yesterday I was watching the news and a story came on about how crowded the amusement resorts were in Orlando, Florida this past week. The story made the presumption that people were tired of putting off vacations and being frugal because of the (now easing?) recession and are ready to live a little. That story was followed by a quick blurb on how stocks were up because of good news on job creation and orders for durable goods. I actually said aloud to myself, “People just maybe sick of living in the economic and political malaise that we have endured for the past three or so years.” I started thinking to myself that maybe people are willing to quit listening to how bad things are, think for themselves a little and try to quit living in fear of tomorrow. As I contemplated this I rephrased the previous thought into this: I have to quit listening to how bad things are in my profession! I need to think for myself a little more and not let the popular media create a cloud to darken my day. I have to quit living in fear of what is coming next, control the factors that I can, and do the best I can for the students in my charge. This was a fleeting moment, the thought of writing a blog about my reasoning came and went, and I was on to my next task. This morning though, as I was browsing though the new titles in my reader I came across and read, 
Staff, The other day I was asked to present at one of the local service clubs about our proposed academy program for next year. When I was finished, I asked if there were any questions or comments. A parent stood (I was thinking oh no….here we go) and said, “Mr. Meister, I just want to say (and she paused for effect) that I am so pleased with how your teachers are so open and willing to help us!” “I have received more phone calls this year from your staff than I ever have and they have either been complimentary toward our (student) or very helpful.” “At open house, everyone was so friendly and all the teachers took the time to have a personal conversation with us.” “Staff was out in the hallways, smiling and very helpful while we tried to find our way around.” “We really appreciate what your staff has done to keep us informed and make us feel welcome.” “We also love the lessons and grades online.”
This is one of the toughest times of the year for our high school staff. They are trying hard to finish up the final unit of the semester, preparing final exams as well as trying to catch up on the mountains grading. There is so much to do it can be downright overwhelming! Throw on top of all that the fact that all of the students are anticipating being away from school for two weeks and the effect of the Christmas rush and I believe that the faculty can feel as though it’s burden is unbearable. I, like all of the other staff, get immersed in my job and what I consider important and sometimes miss opportunities to help where help is needed. As a high school principal I am focused on data and PSAE results, school safety issues, staff evaluation, our interest based academy agenda, staff development, recruiting new staff, budget development and problem solving what seems like a million day to day questions from students, staff and parents. I spend a lot of my time thinking about how to integrate technology into instruction, how to motivate students and how involve the community in improving our program. I am always looking toward the future and trying to learn new things.
I love the bits and pieces of knowledge that are shared via my online learning network! Yesterday somebody tweeted a link to 
