Flipping a classroom takes some work. There's all those videos to make! An educator has to really be prepared and plan out their semester or year in advance; otherwise, you'll always be playing catch-up. So, why is it so important?? Because it's good for the kids. Students relate to the use of technology, they respond to the idea of being able to watch and re-watch a video for understanding (so they don't have to raise their hand in class which equals embarrassment for many), and they are much more confident doing work independently with the teacher near by to guide and help. Working with other students, allowing students to blossom into teachers themselves, and discovering through academic adventure all help students to engage and learn. An educator doesn't have to flip everything all at once - instead, start with what you have, use power points and iMovies that you would normally use during class. Give the video or power point a URL (using School Wires at our school) and begin with baby-steps. Then, it's not so scary, it's actually fun.
Graduation - it always makes you feel that bittersweet nostalgia. Graduation is an ending, a celebration of tasks completed and accomplishments achieved. It is also a beginning, another entrance into yet another world of learning. So, I have to surmise that Graduation is another step toward maturity, toward adulthood. Do we ever reach that pinnacle of perfection at which we are all that we can be? Perhaps some people have found that place, but I doubt I ever will. The more I learn, the more I realize I don't know. So, we keep trudging up that hill of discovery, some days are full of sunshine and success, other days, not so much. The option is to grow stale and stagnant in our day to day existence; that is not really an option for me. So, even on days that are tiresome, I keep trying, hoping to someday be a graduate and have something to celebrate. In the meantime, congratulations to all those who are celebrating their graduation this month.
Ms. Patterson has been a teacher for eighteen years. Currently she is teaching in the Rio Grande Valley and is certified in PBL, Digital Classroom, and Flipped Classroom.