Prezi - Flipping the Classroom

Flip - Take 2!

Before I go any further, I need to recognize and say "Thank You" SDE for all their help, ideas, manipulative ideas!  Because of their expertise, we are able to receive training to become better educators in the world of Singapore Math!  Being introduced to it several years ago - it has changed the way I like to look at solving problems.

Today we had a much better day at making video tapes.  It was obvious by how many lessons we really were able to record.  I think on the first day, we recorded 3 videos.  That, obviously was not a lot - but more so a time to use "trial and error" while we stumbled through lessons & videotaping.

Today, we created 15 videos that students will have the opportunity to watch, re-watch and possibly gain great on ideas for future recording.

"Behind the Scenes"

I know this might be on your mind... but what in the world did our workspace look like? Well, fortunately, I am able to crop that out of my movies so I don't have a "background" to contend with.  Also, we have not officially returned back to class.  On Tuesday, I set up my computer, document camera, a few chairs, a tripod & video recorder.  That is it... nothing else!  I have not even begun to unload from summer!  In fact, if my principal entered my room, she would totally be disgusted at how thinks are literally falling out of my closet...  I should take a picture to post next time.  :)

Today, we tried to:

• Remind kids that they can pause and re-watch
• Teach kids & parents how to make Bean Sticks for counting
• Give them challenges
• Create a video on our own - without help from an expert mathematician - a.k.a. Ricky Mikelman  (she doesn't know yet - I am going to surprise her)
• Remember to turn off the AC unit during taping and we needed a break - turn it back on and talk about what we were going to do next.  

Other issues to deal with:

• We noticed that it was hard to see our numbers that we were writing because our hand was in the way.
• Write down the name of the lesson before you tape it.. Makes it easier (and saves a lot of time) to remember without having to watch the lessons over.  
• Ask the district for a space on the server to house the videos so that other schools can have access to them too. 
• Suggested that I look into SkyDrive / VBrick for storing videos.
• PLN - You will need one!   I joined Flipped Learning Network.  There they have groups formed for your specific need.  You do have to ask to join, but after you do, you will be prompted to select groups to follow...  We also decided to collaborate in Pinterest.  I learned at the ISTE 2013 conference that you can easily dialog with others on a board.  So, I created on called Flipped!  Thank you Theresa Cullen for that idea!
• Remember to silence your cell phone and turn off any "instant notifications" so it wouldn't pop up on the monitor during recording.  
• Discovered that the document camera showed a huge delay from the sound to the motion.... might be better record over the shoulder rather than a monitor.  

Flip

Flip!

What does that word actually mean? This year, I am going to learn what a Flipped Classroom looks, sounds and feels like.  I'm a little nervous / scared only because I'm self - contentious when it comes to recording... I literally HATE the way I sound!!!  I know it's silly, but I'm sure there are a lot of other people that feel the same.  

So... join in on the journey if you'd like...  It's going to be like a roller-coaster!!!

At the ISTE 2013 Conference, I learned from many people the wonderful impact that a Flipped Classrooms offers.  The idea that captured me on this strategy was the way it allowed for some kids to continue to the next lesson,  and for others to grab extra help in small groups as needed for finer tuning. So, I elected to read the book:  Flip Your Classroom: Reach Every Student in Every Class Every Day, by Jonathan Bergmann & Aaron Sams.  Some of my teammates have also agreed to read and discuss the chapters.

So, today, I met up with some people and we began our journey and created 3 videos that we are going to use the first week / two of school.  If you should think about doing this... consider a few things:

• Unpacking early from the summer;
• Have a back-up plan;
• Have access to a FLIP / Video Camera / Tripod;
• 32 GB Scan Disk (If your equipment needs it!);
• Document Camera - "Hooked Up" and ready to go;
• High Speed Internet Connection (makes uploading much more pleasant!)