5 Tips to Flipping

If you have never flipped a lesson, I am challenging you to flip one lesson during the month of February. Flipping classroom instruction allows students to engage in Quadrant A instruction at home or, depending on your flipped model, 10 minutes during class.  Quadrant A instruction is traditional teacher-guided instruction that typically introduces content and lower levels of thinking such as acquiring knowledge or understanding a concept, skill, or a subject's basic content. Then teachers have more class time to engage in higher-levels of thinking and engagement which requires students to "think and do" by analyzing, evaluating, and creating real-world projects.  Flipping classroom instruction is one shift that can help you transition your classroom from a traditional classroom to a student-centered learning environment.

Tip #1:  Use an Easy Screencasting Tool

Not all screencasing tools are equal!  Two screencasting tools that are easy to use and are free include Screencast-o-matic and Doceri.  Screencast-o-matic has a free version that allows screen capture with both audio and video without downloading additional software.  Screencast-o-matic's free version also allows for up to 15 minutes of screencast capture and can be exported as an MP4, AVI, or FLV file or directly uploaded to your YouTube channel.  Another screencasting option is Doceri.  Doceri is an iPad app that combines a virtual whiteboard and screen capture tool which allows teachers to create a screencast on an iPad with writing and audio voiceover. This tool allows for creative options with colored pens, tools, etc. and works extremely well if you would like to write on the screen as you screencast.  This app also syncs to your computer so you can use the app on both the iPad or your computer and allows you to upload directly to your YouTube channel or Google Drive.

Tip #2:  Post Screencasts in an Easily Accessible Location

Make sure that you post all of your screencasts in a place that is easily accessible for students.  Think about creating a YouTube channel to house all of your videos and then linking those to your learning management system such as D2L.  Also, make a plan for students without WiFi access.  Set up procedures for these students to download the flipped lessons to a jump drive/USB so that they can access the flipped lessons from home.

Tip #3:  Make Reentry to Class Engaging and Meaningful

If students are completing the flipped instruction at home, the reentry classroom activity must be engaging and meaningful to students; otherwise, students will not have a reason or motivation to complete the flipped lesson.  If your classroom activity the day after a flipped lesson is a lecture or a traditional activity, students will not see the value of the flip.  Why sit through a flipped lesson at home if the lesson in class the next day is the same information?  Use class time after a flipped lesson to incorporate application of the skills from the flipped lesson at higher levels and in real-world situations.  Utilize project, product, and inquiry-based lessons and incorporate 21st century skills like collaboration and communication through discussions and group projects.  Also, consider using a formative assessment as an entry event to check for understanding. Quick and easy-to-use tools like Mentimeter and Poll Everywhere can be used for quick formative assessments.  Then teachers can use these results to then differentiate classroom instruction the day after a flipped lesson based on individual student's understanding. This works extremely well if you utilize the workshop model within your classroom.

Tip #4:  Have a Plan for Student Who Don't Complete the Flip

Like traditional homework, have a plan for students who don't complete a flipped lesson assigned as homework.  Make sure that you have a way to hold students accountable for the flipped lesson content.  In other words, how will you know if they completed the flip?  Some teachers send students who do not complete the flip to "exile island," so they have to watch the flipped lesson before they can participate in the class activity.  Depending on your grade level, building's schedule, and your classroom schedule, consider other times during the day in which students could complete the flipped lesson if they don't do it at home. Again, student motivation for a flip assigned as homework is dependent on the reentry activity!

Tip #5:  Think About Flipping During Class

Some flipped lessons can be done during class. This gives all students time to do the flipped lesson.  What is the advantage?  Teachers can quickly and concisely deliver Quadrant A information.  Students can pause, rewind, and review the information multiple times.  The teacher can also use this time to facilitate the flipped instruction and confer with students as they finish.  Flipped lessons during class provide more opportunities for students to work at their own pace with teacher support.  Also, since a flipped lesson is no longer than 10-12 minutes, students still have a majority of the class period to engage in higher-level thinking activities, and teachers have the opportunity to shift roles to that of a facilitator rather than lecturer.