Flipping the classroom

Flipped Classroom  
Today our lesson was devoted to Flipped Classroom.
We have discussed different aspects of this new approach to teaching. We realized that maybe some of us were already flipping without even knowing about it. It is one of those cases when practice comes before theory, or before a name has been coined.

1. What is FC?
2. What is the theory behind it?
3. Challenges
4. Technolgies we need
5. Is FC the same as BL?
6. Is FC relevant to ELT?

We worked in groups expressing our ideas about the different aspects on a google document and we shifted resposabilities and built onto what other groups had already expressed ading our own contributions.
We watched some videos about the principles of FC and the example of a school that had implemented it. We learnt about the reasons, the proces and the final outcome.

 

 In FC the delivery of knowledge takes place outside the class and the processing of the knowledge is in class. In a word, we are reversing the order of traditional methods. To follow the ideas expressed in Bloom's taxonomy, the critical thinking that takes place in cognitive engaging activities should be carried out in class whereas the discovery and undersanding is done at home. It allows to free more time in the classroom.

The risks of this approach is student's work overload. We may end up adding more and more. Antoher of the hurdles to implement FC might be the learning culture of our students.
The needed technologies: an LMS as central repository and location for your teaching (Edmodo, moodle, schoology, blackboard, google apps for education...) and tools to make content (snag it, camtasia).   

Personalisation and learning pace are key factors rather than Technology itself. Ar the end of the day you can flip the classroom with hard copies of materials so it is the approach about how to organize the order thinking higher order skills in the learning circle to maximize time. 
It's obvious that task types in class under a FC approach are different. They allow better checking students progress. This has obvious consequences in Assessment. Assessment can't be the same as in a more traditional setting. Missalignmet between the class and the assessment should be avoided by all means. 

Conclusions
The virtuous circle of success should always incorporate an element of reflection (Test-Teach-Test).
 Technologies are just a way to facilitate the teaching and learning process. 

To learn more about Flipped Classroom 
 

Here is an article by Russell Stannard on the topic. 
Here is a power point on the topic.

Flipped classroom Infography

Bloom's taxonomy in Blended Learning
Reflection as a a tool for teacher development.
Additional reading on the role of reflection in Teacher's development (NILE student's Dissertation).