COVER STORY refining and reinforcement of flipped classroom techniques and the use of Google platforms , which many teachers already employed .
BREAKING THE MOLD
While taking a Teaching for the 21st Century ( T21 ) course through EdTechTeacher , Middle School mathematics teacher Corbin Orgain ’ 96 had an idea that would change her entire classroom structure . She was inspired to reconstruct her teaching methods to adhere to the concepts of the flipped classroom , a pedagogical model in which the traditional lecture and homework elements of a course are reversed .
“ In study hall every day , I was getting bombarded by 55 students coming to ask me about lessons ,” she said . “ There wasn ’ t enough of me to go around , so I had to figure out a way to help each student individually and still cover all the content I needed to get through . Then I heard about the flipped classroom .”
In connection with the model ’ s theories , Mrs . Orgain films 6- to 12-minute videos of herself teaching a lesson using the app Explain Everything . Students are instructed to watch the videos in their entirety as homework while taking detailed notes in which they must write down all steps , examples , definitions , and hints / tricks . Then , class time is used for checking notes and practicing the concepts taught in the video , giving Mrs . Orgain time to go around and check in with each student individually .
Mrs . Orgain said this model presents multiple benefits for students : first , they can learn a lesson at their own pace by rewinding , fast forwarding , or re-watching the video as often as they would like . This way , students who learn at a slower pace can take the time they need without feeling pressure to understand immediately , and students who learn more quickly can move on to the next concept as needed .
Second , it frees up family time at home because students will not spend the evening doing hours of homework — in fact , parents have told Mrs . Orgain that they enjoy watching her videos with their child so much that it ’ s become a family event in their home . Third , the videos feature a familiar face that students can connect with rather than an unknown third party .
“ A huge aspect of blended learning is the relationships that are built between students and teachers ,” she said . “ This model allows students to go home at night and hear my voice as they ’ re learning — the relationship is still there . They know I ’ m coming from a place of love and support as I teach them .”
Upper School Chemistry teacher Leslie Kovach often uses the flipped classroom model with her Upper School chemistry classes , and Middle School English teacher Elizabeth Gibson uses it to teach vocabulary . Other teachers have expressed interested in adopting the model in their classes as well .
In addition to flipped classroom activities , Mrs . Kovach utilizes digital resources in her role as coordinator of senior projects . The year-long project is an opportunity for students to explore and experience a topic of their own interest . To assist them as they gather information for their formal research papers and presentations , Mrs . Kovach has students use Google Sites to store and organize their research .
" At Steward , we embrace the idea of community and being able to form meaningful relationships between teachers and students . We enjoy that face-to-face warmth and feeling of belonging ."
Seniors create their own websites , which include pages for their project proposal , a list of assignments due , journal entries , a “ file cabinet ” to store various research materials , a photo gallery , and a goal and progress page . Mrs . Kovach regularly checks students ’ websites to grade them on their progress throughout the year .
“ I see my senior seminar students twice in the eight-day rotation , so it would be difficult for them to check in with me in person every time they work on their project ,” Mrs . Kovach said . “ But with Google Sites , they can work online from anywhere and do assignments wherever and whenever it ’ s convenient for them . So they get the best of both worlds — they get the periodic in-person contact , but there ’ s all kinds of assignments they can get done by themselves online .”
Depending on their project topic , many seniors present a tangible product as their final presentation . Topics for this year include creating an original hot sauce recipe , writing a book on soap making , studying music therapy through playing the ukulele , and redesigning a bathroom , to name a few .
ENHANCING CLASSROOM STUDY
To support learning that is already taking place in the classroom , the Lower School has adopted several online education programs that strengthen students ’
SAY WHAT ?
ONLINE SKILL AND DRILL SERVICES provide the essentials of basic grammar , usage , and mechanics
ONLINE CONTENT PROVIDERS : a website or organization that handles the distribution of online content ( such as blogs , videos , music , or files ) that is made accessible to users
PLN ( PERSONAL LEARNING NETWORKS ): an informal education system that consists of the people a learner interacts with and derives knowledge from in a personal environment
LMS ( LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS ): a software application for the administration , documentation , tracking , reporting , and delivery of digital technology courses or programs
MOOC ( MASSIVE OPEN ONLINE COURSE ): a web-based distance learning program that is designed for the participation of large numbers of geographically dispersed students
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