I believe the most important component of the flipped classroom is the "face to face" classroom component. It is at this point that the instructor has the opportunity to assess what the students have learned and to correct any deficiencies or expand on a concept that is important to the course content. Students get to ask questions of the instructor who can then clarify the subject matter. Students also get to share and discuss different ideas among themselves while still being guided by the instructor.
The class has to be properly structured to enhance student learning. If the class is not set up correctly then it will frustrate both students and teachers.
The F2F time after as we can cut to questions as the student can ponder and reflect on what they saw on line and speed up the time to get to group and questions can be found and discussed sooner. I think this is a cool way to go!
Without a doubt, professional development.
The most important concept is that of the student understanding class discussion content prior to the F2F class. This is where the flipped class room plays an increased roll in the students learning an self responsibility into reviewing the work outside the class and contributing in the discussion.
I think the first and most important part is the professional development and really train the instructors how to use the flipped classroom to best benefit the student. So many times instructors build their lesson plans around what they need to lecture the lesson and not around what the student needs to learn the lesson.
For me, it would be having more time in class for hands on learning for the students.
The most important component of a flipped classroom model is a professionally developed instructor who is expert on the content of the course/the subject matter with average computer skills (Note: Instructors planning to use the flipped classroom model DO NOT need to be computer experts). Flipped classroom model requires a concise intentionally provided course content via technology in as short as 15 minutes. This means that the subject matter expert or the instructor MUST be able to highlight the key or vital information (like the intentionally provided information in the recorded video) and stimulate the student to further research, discuss, analyze, internalize and synthesize the topic utilizing the information received from the video, audio or both.
A professionally developed instructor is one who is willing to overcome any barrier faced in developing and implementing the flipped model. He must be honest and willing to improve his skills in electronic communication, seek assistance from the IT professionals within the institution as needed. The instructor must be determined to search the information superhighway for resources and reliable sites to host and store his course contents so that the students can readily access these information without delay. More complex technical issues such as prolonged "buffering" and "disconnections" will frustrate the students if this is not done correctly by the instructor. This is a critical component in order to successfully implement and efficiently deliver the content electronically without delay.
To tie up the loose ends, the instructor must be willing to learn acquire necessary computer skills needed, plan and develop the course content to be made available online, implement and fine tune the flipped classroom once started. Flipping the classroom requires work but delivers great results and outstanding student learning outcomes.
Brandi,
I know what you mean about feeling you must lecture since the students don't read. I think we all have those feelings at some point. However, I finally decided that by doing this I was causing more problems than creating solutions. The more I lectured, the more they expected lecture. My students now understand that I do not regurgitate information they should have gotten from their readings. It took a while but I do believe they now learn at a deeper level.
Dr. Moody Crews
SUSAN,
Absolutely. Instructor professional development is key to the learning environment and I believe and ethical responsibility of the instructor.
Dr. Moody Crews
Leslie ,
Absolutely. Class time spent effectively with student learning guiding everything we do.
Dr. Moody Crews
Tina,
How true. Again, this is a partnership between the student and the instructor. Everyone has to do their part and professional development is a just one of the instructors professional responsibilities.
Dr. Moody Crews
Sherry ,
I agree. This gives the instructor more time to help in the areas where there is real need rather than feeding back information through lecture.
Dr. Moody Crews
LE,
Very true. We have to do our part in the implementation in order for learning to be successful.
Dr. Moody Crews
I think the most important component of the flipped classroom has to be the flexibility component. I like that an instructor has the mobility to move around the classroom using intriguing and engaging methods. There is no lecture needed during classroom, which is a necessity in a college classroom,but it can be done outside of class - BRILLIANT. I oftentimes feel that I must lecture in class on the day's content, because I know college students do not read! Unfortunately, in some cases more than others, students are so busy that they either forget, don't have time, or choose not to read. Therefore the fifteen minute Ppt lecture that is made available to the student online is brilliant. Time in class can then be devoted to other things like comprehension, application and other high order thinking skills so desperately needed in college students.
Good Evening
Deciding on the "most important" component seemed difficult at first, because these components are inter-related and co-dependent on each other.
But when I analyzed the construction of each component, I determined that one component is pivital, and maybe even, catalytic relative to the others. This component therefore becomes more important than the others relative to how each component is executed.
So, I chose the "professionally developed instructors" as the most important component. The responsibility of the construction, execution and evaluation of the classroom rests with the instructor. If the instructor is not properly trained and feels a "command" over the instructional process, the other components will not be carried out effectively.
It is true---there is alot of "technology" out there; but the question at the end of the day, is....how is the instructor going to use the technology effectively to create a student-centered learning environment? This is the question which should be asked first. thankyou
Susan
I think that the most important part of the flipped classroom model is the extra time that it gives the instructor in class to discuss the topic in more depth. This is especially important for the more difficult topics that take more time to grasp. With the extra time in class, the instructor can guide the students into an approach that includes more critical thinking on the students part.
Professional development is the most important part of the model. Flipping the classroom requires an effective facilitator who understands the concept and can communicate well with all stakeholders to "pull it off". Without professional development, it is just an idea.
I believe moving the lecture outside of class time so that students can access it 24/7 as well as repeatedly. In this approach, students utilize class time to collaborate and discuss what they have learned and clarify areas or challenges.
I believe that the F2F engagement is the most important part of the flipped classroom. The F2F engagement will drive interest in the other materials and build excitement about the topic if well done. If not effectively implemented the F2F segment will drive students away from active learning and engagement.
