Over the years of having a flipped classroom, I have learned a lot, changed things that weren’t working, and found ways to be more efficient. I have seen so many benefits to teaching this way and want to share my observations with anyone who is toying with the idea of flipping.  One of the most beneficial things I have discovered is how I now know my students.  We use to have 40 minute math classes.  In this short amount of time I had to do a warm up, go over homework, teach a lesson, make sure the students practiced the concept so I could check for understanding and have time for them to complete an exit ticket.  With all there was to accomplish I barely had time to say good morning to them!  I felt like I was on fast forward each period.  I didn’t have time to really know my students and know what they are capable of.  Realistically during this rush of events, we had no time to have meaningful discussions in class, all the questions that should have been asked were not all asked, I didn’t have time to call on each and every student each day.  I didn’t know them as people and I didn’t know them as students. We since have gone to 60 minute math classes which alone has helped with all the problems listed above but taking the lecture out of being done in class has freed up time to have those meaningful discussions. Those discussions where everyone in the classroom is a teacher and everyone can learn something from each other.  The discussions where hearing the same thing in many different ways benefits more people than just hearing it one time or one way.

Before I started flipping and was teaching in fast forward, there was no time to slow down for the few kids who didn’t get it.  We had to keep pushing forward.  I would have to meet with them at a later time, usually outside of class time,  to help them with what they were struggling with because there was just too much to do in a short amount of time. There was no time to spare.  When the information is given in a video, everyone can work at their own pace.  One student may need more time to retain the information so it may take them 15 minutes to get through the video, but another student who has some background on that topic or learns faster may only take 10 minutes to get through the same video.  From the feedback I have gotten on this particular aspect of a flipped classroom both the slower students and the faster students are happy with this.  The slower students don’t feel like they are rushed to understand a concept and can take their time. The faster students don’t feel held back by someone who doesn’t catch on as fast.  And by watching the video at home, no one knows how long it takes them and it doesn’t matter.

All the videos are archived for as long as the Google classroom is open. Students can rewatch a video as many times as they would like.  Some may want to rewatch a video on a topic they are struggling with. My students take guided notes as they watch the videos so some will watch it once and take notes and then rewatch it to just focus on what is being taught without taking notes.  Others may rewatch past videos before a test or quiz.  I have even had parents watch the videos so they were able to help their son or daughter.  Another huge benefit from having the videos that they won’t get in a live lecture is being able to rewind if they didn’t catch something. They can rewind to hear the exact same thing again. In a live lecture it wouldn’t be repeated exactly how it was said the first time.

With the time that is freed up by not lecturing in class, there is time to make sure that each student’s needs are being met. Those that need support can get that support. Those that need a challenge can be challenged. It is less of me talking in class and more of them learning. At the beginning of the year, I train the students on how to have conversations about math.  Questions to ask each other, how to help one another without giving them the answer. We spend a lot of time as a class learning how to do this and we have plenty of time to implement it because of the flipped classroom.

Let’s talk about homework.  Over the years I have had many parents tell me that they can’t help there son/daughter with their homework. Over the years I have had numerous students come to class and say they couldn’t complete their homework because they didn’t know what to do.  They would come back with it partially done or not done at all.  Now a flipped classroom doesn’t solve all homework problems, but it eliminates many.  The students don’t need their parents because they are watching a short video and completing a few practice problems on their own.  Because they are only watching a short video and completing a few problems, it is not overwhelming and they know they will not be spending hours on math homework. It has eliminated many kids from not doing their homework.  Of course I still get kids that don’t do homework, but the percentage has gone way down.  I use EdPuzzle to assign the videos so I am able to see who has and hasn’t watch the video.  Lastly, with the kids doing homework like activities in class, it allows for them to get help from me. Traditionally students need help with homework or have questions and the teacher isn’t there to help them. This eliminates the problem and lets the students have a struggle with some support from the teacher if needed.

When students are absent, it is always a chore to get them caught up, fill them in with what they missed and make sure they are comfortable with everything.  In a flipped classroom, the students never miss instruction. They still get the full lesson the whole class has received. Yes, they do miss the meaningful conversations and activities, but they don’t miss the background and foundation of the concepts.  I do have kids that will watch the videos when they are absent and when they return they haven’t missed a beat.  This is invaluable aspect of the flipped classroom.

Last but not least, all students always have the best you!! For those of you that teach multiple classes that are the same have probably thought or said to yourself at one time, “did I say that to this class already?” Or maybe you have felt like your teaching of the lesson got better as the day progressed.  In a flipped classroom all of the students get the same lesson and hopefully the best lesson you give on that concept.  Don’t get me wrong, all your videos may not always be what you want them to be, but you can always change them and make them better.  And for those videos that are great, you will have them forever and can use them as many times as you want.  This frees up time for you to create new activities, lessons, or videos.

I have truly enjoyed stumbling through this process and learning how to do things more efficiently.  I have seen the benefits of a flipped classroom. It may not be for everyone but if you have the slightest thought that it might work for you, I say go for it!! You won’t regret it.