Flipped Learning: Why I believe I would succeed in the new model
Nothing bothered me more in school growing up than when my teachers would spend an entire class period teaching algebraic equations, or the effects of of the East India Trade Company in the Western World, only to go home, start my homework, and realize I remembered practically none of the information spewed at me over the past 8 hours of my life. For me, homework was a nightmare. I would read the instructions and questions repeatedly, each time making less sense than the last because I was reading too deep into it. By the end each question could have been written in another language. I wouldn't have known the difference. My parents help? Forget it! Once I hit 8th grade my parents were useless. They knew less than I did, or at least we were on the same page. I did not have YouTube or Google to look it up. I was alone to fend for myself, hoping it all made sense by the end, after hours of frustration. However, to relax I loved watching documentaries. I could tell you more about the city of Chicago than I ever could the East India Trade Company (I am pretty sure that is the right name), but I was never taught about Chicago in school. I learned it by watching television.
I am definitely a visual learner. You tell me to read a book, and I will be lucky to remember 10% of its content. I will re-read the same paragraph three times before I feel I grasp it understanding, then go back another 3 times to make sure I am still on the same wavelength as the text. However, you put a video or a PowerPoint in my face and read that same text to me, but with visual examples for explanation, and I will hold onto it forever. Case in point, I had to find a video representing innovation, which I have always heard of, but had no idea what it really meant. I Googled the definition and checked out some sites explaining it and I was still having trouble. Finally I found a video on YouTube explaining the concept of innovation, and in 2 minutes 12 seconds it made sense completely.
Which brings me to the title of my Blog - Flipped Learning: Innovation or inconvenience in Education. Flipped Learning is a concept in education that takes the traditional model of being taught in the classroom as a group then practicing the new skills individually at home (homework) and reversing it. Under the Flipped Learning model, a student would be given the responsibility to educate themselves at home using the teachers' resources given to them, then come back to school to put what information they have learned on their own into practice with the teacher and their peers as a group. Being a visual learner, I love the concept of Flipped Learning. It does put a lot of responsibility on the student to pay attention at home, but in the end it is better for the student because they get to learn at their own rate. Unlike a traditional class, where every child is expected to learn the information given by the teacher at the same rate, usually approximately 35-45 minutes depending on the class schedule, each child is still receiving the same amount of information on a subject given by the teacher, with the difference being if a child needs more time on the subject, they can spend as much time as needed.
The reason I love the idea of Flipped Learning in education is because, as a visual learner, most lessons are taught threw a wide variety of visual media, such as power points and videos, etc. Using these tools, I can go back and forth between slides, or rewind and fast forward the video as needed if I am struggling in one area, but I already know the information in another. With Flipped Learning as a student, I would not have to stress over getting every note in class, because the notes are already given to me. Also, if I am really good at a certain subject, such as Language Arts, but struggle mightily at another, such as Math, I am not forced to spend an equal amount of time studying those subjects. Now, instead of being disengaged, I can spend less time learning, but still gain an equal amount of knowledge.
Above is why I enjoy Flipped Learning at home on an individual basis. Now, I want to examine why I enjoy Flipped Learning in the classroom environment. To keep it simple, by learning at home, now the student can come to school equipped with the knowledge of knowing which subject matter they understand, and which they need more assistance in. By knowing this in school rather than at home they now have access to a teacher that can help them through their struggles.
If I was still a student my biggest struggle with the Flipped Learning Model would be the amount of time being told to research at home. However, I also believe, much like the way I watched documentaries growing up as a way of relaxation, if the subject material can be represented in an engaging and entertaining medium, I would be able to adapt in an appropriate manner.
I am definitely a visual learner. You tell me to read a book, and I will be lucky to remember 10% of its content. I will re-read the same paragraph three times before I feel I grasp it understanding, then go back another 3 times to make sure I am still on the same wavelength as the text. However, you put a video or a PowerPoint in my face and read that same text to me, but with visual examples for explanation, and I will hold onto it forever. Case in point, I had to find a video representing innovation, which I have always heard of, but had no idea what it really meant. I Googled the definition and checked out some sites explaining it and I was still having trouble. Finally I found a video on YouTube explaining the concept of innovation, and in 2 minutes 12 seconds it made sense completely.
Which brings me to the title of my Blog - Flipped Learning: Innovation or inconvenience in Education. Flipped Learning is a concept in education that takes the traditional model of being taught in the classroom as a group then practicing the new skills individually at home (homework) and reversing it. Under the Flipped Learning model, a student would be given the responsibility to educate themselves at home using the teachers' resources given to them, then come back to school to put what information they have learned on their own into practice with the teacher and their peers as a group. Being a visual learner, I love the concept of Flipped Learning. It does put a lot of responsibility on the student to pay attention at home, but in the end it is better for the student because they get to learn at their own rate. Unlike a traditional class, where every child is expected to learn the information given by the teacher at the same rate, usually approximately 35-45 minutes depending on the class schedule, each child is still receiving the same amount of information on a subject given by the teacher, with the difference being if a child needs more time on the subject, they can spend as much time as needed.
The reason I love the idea of Flipped Learning in education is because, as a visual learner, most lessons are taught threw a wide variety of visual media, such as power points and videos, etc. Using these tools, I can go back and forth between slides, or rewind and fast forward the video as needed if I am struggling in one area, but I already know the information in another. With Flipped Learning as a student, I would not have to stress over getting every note in class, because the notes are already given to me. Also, if I am really good at a certain subject, such as Language Arts, but struggle mightily at another, such as Math, I am not forced to spend an equal amount of time studying those subjects. Now, instead of being disengaged, I can spend less time learning, but still gain an equal amount of knowledge.
Above is why I enjoy Flipped Learning at home on an individual basis. Now, I want to examine why I enjoy Flipped Learning in the classroom environment. To keep it simple, by learning at home, now the student can come to school equipped with the knowledge of knowing which subject matter they understand, and which they need more assistance in. By knowing this in school rather than at home they now have access to a teacher that can help them through their struggles.
If I was still a student my biggest struggle with the Flipped Learning Model would be the amount of time being told to research at home. However, I also believe, much like the way I watched documentaries growing up as a way of relaxation, if the subject material can be represented in an engaging and entertaining medium, I would be able to adapt in an appropriate manner.
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