The Flipped Classroom

           

I believe we already use the concepts of flipped classrooms in our preschool. I feel like we start off using the flipped classroom model in early childhood education, use traditional classroom instruction during the child’s elementary and high school years, and then it seems education in America goes back to the flipped classroom during a student’s college years. I say this because, at our preschool we have a curriculum created for the entire year, and each unit has four themes. Parents are given the theme of the week before it begins, so it can be discussed at home with parents. The teachers use hands on and learning through play instruction, and activities and projects are done in the classroom. When I was in elementary school and high school, lectures were done in the classroom, homework was assigned to be done at, and there was very little one on one time in the classroom. It is my understanding that it is that way today as well. Now that I am in college, it feels like we are using the flipped classroom concepts in the way that we must do lots of article reading, video watching, and research at home. In the classroom, there is group work, but our assignments are not being done in the classroom.

There are many ways we can use the concepts of flipped classroom, depending on what lesson we are working on. I would advise the parent of the current theme, but this time I would add links and take home literature for the parent to help their child research at home. The next day, the classroom routine can go as usual. However, the teacher will be able to ask children questions and include them in, and the children can work in group projects and discuss what they know. There are many benefits to using the flipped classroom in your teaching. The practical work, homework, is done in the classroom where teachers can be present to help the child understand. This will also take the stress of homework off the parents. Allows the child to learn at their own pace, because videos can be watched as many times as needed at home. It makes the learning more efficient, because the children enter the classroom already being familiar with the lesson, and then can successfully contribute. Also, more time for every child’s enrichment, even the ones less confident in the lesson. I would make sure to put children in groups so that they can learn from each other as well. A student needs the guidance of the teacher throughout each lesson, and flipped classroom management is the best way to do that.