What is a Flipped Classroom?

          In a recent article from the magazine Educational Leadership I learned about a new method of teaching. Something known as a Flipped Classroom, is creating a lot of buzz. The main purpose of this flipped classroom is having more in-class time with your students. A lot of times, especially in college classrooms, lecturing is the basis of the class period. Even in high school classrooms, teachers have to introduce new material and lecture for most of the class. Then students do an assignment at home based on the lecture. This new idea of a classroom has teachers tape their lectures on new material that the students take home and watch. Then the next day in class the teacher does not have to explain from the beginning, but instead they do what would be homework in the classroom. It gives the teacher more one on one time with the students. I think with subjects like math this could be really effective. I remember learning something like a new concept and going home and never understanding the homework. Teachers record themselves on a track with a PowerPoint or of them actually teaching. Usually for about 10-15 minutes and the students can watch it as many times as they need to at home. They can also use it to study before a test. The article says that many teachers feel this would take up too much of their time, but it’s only some added work to their already made lessons. The article compares this to having to students read pages in the text the day before they learn something new. These videos can be more effective because the teacher is actually lecturing them which makes it more exciting. The name flipped learning comes from the fact that you are flipping what is actually done. Usually there is an in class lecture and then a homework assignment. Instead the kids watch the lecture at home and apply what they have learned with the teacher in class. I think this can be effective for students who struggle with homework that is assigned on new material. They have the teacher there for them if they need help. There is also more in class time for activities, like in a Social Studies classroom, I can have students doing projects and applying what I lectured on the night before. I think this method of teaching gives teachers a better chance at making sure all students are keeping up.

“Education is for everyone, but the way in which we deliver education—and the way in which students receive it—is not the same for everyone.”[1]

http://theinnovativeeducator.blogspot.com/2012/12/why-flips-flop.html

               

---

[1] Sams, Aaron, and Jonathan Bergmann. "Flip Your Students' Learning." Educational Leadership: Technology Rich Learning Mar. 2013: 16-20. Print.

Are Teachers Trained Enough To Utilize Technology?

         I had many teachers in high school that had a Smart Board and did not touch it the whole year! They would just lecture or read out of a book and not try to engage students at all. Technology engages students and gets them more involved. Other teacher use technology, but only in menial ways. The problem is that teachers are not always trained to use all the technology that is offered. Most teachers know how to use computers, the internet, and the tools that come along with those. They may not, however, know many other technological devices they could use.  I recently read the article Tech Support PREPARING TEACHERS TO USE TECHNOLOGY and found that many teachers are truly afraid of not being able to keep up with technology in the classroom.  Why put in expensive Smart Boards if you are not going to show teachers how to utilize them? The article said teachers do not have time to teach themselves the program, but need help. “To learn how to incorporate technology into their classrooms, teachers are participating in online discussion groups, forums, e-mail lists, bulletin boards, message boards, and chat rooms. One of the first online communities for teachers is the 21st Century Teacher Network (www.21ct.org), an online network that enables teachers to exchange technology ideas with teachers around the world.” (http://www.principals.org/portals/0/content/48158.pdf). 
      Educators need the opportunity to learn what to do to make technology worthwhile in the classroom. The article says there are many technology workshops that schools should be sending teachers to. I think there should be seminars and opportunities for teachers to learn more about technology. This class is definitely helping me to learn more about technology in the classroom, but I believe there is always more to learn!

The Evolution of Technology in the Classroom

        Watching the video on the evolution of technology in the classroom was very enlightening.  I learned that technology has greatly influenced the classroom over many years. The video also showed me a different kind of classroom setting that is not typical in many schools anymore. The teachers had complete control in the classroom; the students were obedient and sitting in rows like factory workers. Classrooms today are much louder and more animated. The video takes you through the many technologies that transformed the classroom. Educational radio was invented in the 1920s, which let people keep on current events. I think that is extremely important as a history teacher. I think students should keep up with the things that happen in our country and around the world. Especially for when they begin to vote, they should be educated. Radio helped connect the world and understand what was happening.  Instructional films were then created during the progressive movement.  George Klein 1910 created over 1000 educational films. In 1923, the NEA established the Division of Visual Instruction. Educational films are a great way to move away from lecturing and let students see history through another view point.  Classroom films were definitely influential in a history classroom. Being able to see events on screen helps students stay interested. For example, the History Channel creates numerous documentaries on almost every event in history. Some students are visual learners and these kinds of movies are beneficial to them. The Coronet Instructional Films from 1946-1970s included topics like the Plantation System in Southern Life and the Power of Congress. These are both great topics to make movies out of. In Chapter two of Rethinking Technology and Schools, Thomas Edison is quoted, “teach branch of human knowledge with movies,” (pg. 33). I believe that movies help enhance learning especially in history! The radio and instructional movies have helped people stay informed and learn about the past.

History Through Videos

Technology and Literacy

           As we have learned, teenagers spend a lot of time using technology, i.e. cell phones and laptops. I have been learning a lot about students’ literacy and I researched whether or not technology hurts literacy. Students being able to get information and do research is definitely a plus. On article on Education.com says there have been many studies that show that technology helps students expand their knowledge. “Research literature throughout the past decade has shown that technology can enhance literacy development, impact language acquisition, provide greater access to information, support learning, motivate students, and enhance their self-esteem,” (Susan O'Hara and Robert Pritchard 2006).
         I do believe that technology opens up a window to many opportunities for students. From taking Language and Literacy, however, I have learned that many students struggle with reading comprehension. Teachers have to use many strategies to get students reading, I think that technology can hurt students’ literacy. If they are always on social network sites, they are spending less time reading.  Others have argued that even though students are not reading books, if they are reading web pages it still enhances their literacy. Also, when students create presentations on the computer they are still working on their literacy and writing skills. I learned about Apple Classrooms of Tomorrow (ACOT) project and from studying a class for eight years it has been found that students with technology in the classroom do better on achievement tests. Technology helps students become independent learners as well, they have access to any information they need. If they are writing a paper and they use the thesaurus it helps them learn new words. While I think technology consumes many teens’ lives, I think it has its benefits when learning and expanding one’s knowledge. 

Pros and Cons of Technology in the Classroom!

Technology is obviously a big part of teen’s lives and is a big part of education as well.  There are many positives with having such heavy use of technology, but there are some negative aspects as well. Technology definitely fosters creativity because there are so many things that students can do and create on the computer. Even creating Power-Points can foster creativity.  For teachers, it helps us create varied lesson plans. Instead of just standing and lecturing, we can use the internet in a number of ways. Lessons are more engaging if we can use games and videos to reinforce what we are teaching.  As a history teacher, I will have my students at some point do research for papers. Students can explore the internet and do research. The negative side to that is that the internet can be extremely distracting. I know that I get distracted from social media sites, like Facebook and Twitter.  From my class at Montclair about students with disabilities I learned how helpful assistive technology could be. Students with disabilities often use computers and other devices in order to keep up in the classroom. Microphones have become useful in classrooms with students who have hearing impairments, this way they do not fall behind in class. Even teachers can use technology to help students with disabilities keep up in class! In addition, as a history teacher, I want my students to keep up with current events and they can do so with the internet. As I said however, the internet and other technological devices like cell phones are distracting. I teach Religious Education to 8^th graders and I make them put their cellphones on a separate table because they cannot stop using them during class. Then they miss what I am saying if someone texts them. Many schools are now using things like Ipads in the classroom to enhance learning. The problem with this is that not all schools have the money to do so. This puts other students at a disadvantage. Like Olivia, other students do not have access to computers and other technological devices. It is not fair that all students do not have the luxury of all the benefits of technological devices. They are definitely a positive part of learning. Smart boards really enhance a child’s learning experience. These boards make learning more fun and interactive, making students interested in what you are teaching!

http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/images/stories/large/2012/09/16/af1f0a85.jpg

Technology In Our Lives

The three technologies that I chose were; my cellphone, laptop, and tablet. I am constantly using all three of these items especially during the semester. My cellphone is my constant communication to the outside world, without it, I feel disconnected. It is the way I contact anyone at any time, which is really important.  My laptop is my main source for homework. My classes require a lot of writing and research so my laptop is the best tool for that. I use my tablet during class to take notes and to stay connected through email. Also, having email coming to my phone is really useful. I never miss an email from a teacher communicating with me. Using the internet on all of these sources makes many things easier. Being vice president at an organization at Montclair requires me to answer emails frequently. My laptop has definitely contributed to me learning new information. As I said, doing research is a big part of my classes and I would not be able to get information as fast without my laptop and the internet. I also enjoy using PowerPoint, Word, Excel, and Publisher. All of which I learned to use from constantly doing projects and essays.

Olivia learned a lot from using the technology that she has. In the first scene, she is listening to music on her MP3 player. Technology is a big part of young peoples’ lives. It seems her cellphone and computer are extremely important to her. She does not have one at home, but either uses one at school or at a friend’s house. Teachers definitely have to be aware of this and cannot expect that all students are on the same level when it comes to technological experience. I will definitely want to use technology as much as I can, while still helping students see they do not always need to rely on it. The problem is that technology is so useful and can help students learn. At her continuation school, they say about one-third of the students have access to a computer. They do, however, know how to use computers extremely well. Olivia is a whiz with the computer even though she does not have one all the time. She can do almost anything on MySpace and can create websites. When I had a MySpace I knew had to edit it and do some of the similar effects that she could. Using a computer, even if it is for MySpace, helps students learn and understand technology. Like Olivia, texting is a big part of my life. When her mentor commented on how fast she could text I recall having heard the same thing. From using keyboards so much I am fast at typing and texting. This is extremely useful when it comes to writing papers.  

In the second video, Learning to Change, I could relate to all of these young people. They said how technology is convenient and can be used in so many ways. Writing and reading is being taken over by technology, which I agree with. These students talk about how their laptop is one of the biggest technologies they use. Using technology helps these students be creative, like through sound production. One student says that video games actually help him in school because in the video game you work with others and you have to be collaborative. The same goes with school projects, being able to coordinate with other students. In the video someone said that we are moving forward through technology, which I also agree with. Technology helps society learn new things and become more advanced. One young girl said she makes websites on her laptop. For her, technology fosters her creativity which can help her in school as well. She most likely strives in craft or visual art classes. The students in these videos use technology in more advanced ways than I do. I use it for homework and connecting with people, but in the Learning to Change video I noticed that technology can be used in an infinite number of ways. I think that technology is imperative if everyone’s lives. I believe that each generation will begin to rely on technology more and more. I know that my phone and laptop are so important to me as they are too many other people. Technology is definitely changing society and for students it is benefiting them through learning new information.