Collaborative Web Tools in Education – Blogging in the Classroom
I am posting Blogging in the Classroom assignment as an artifact for Collaborative Web Tools in Education course (Fall 2017). The assignment consisted on leading an online discussion on a blogging platform in regard to a current educational technology trend. The topic I chose was Reversing the Traditional Model of a Classroom: A Flipped Classroom. I was very interested in hearing teachers’ perspectives about how incorporating digital learning tools are impacting classrooms lately. Therefore, I created an introductive paragraph and some open questions to start the forum discussion.
Reversing the Traditional Model of a Classroom: A Flipped Classroom
I selected this assignment as an artifact because, through it, I understood how beneficial it was to have a blog. This assignment was aimed to reflect current topics around technology in the classroom with experts on educational tech trends as my classmates for this course. I also find this activity very relevant to my professional and personal growth. I participated, debated and learned about the pros and cons concerning internet distractions versus academia, technology upgrades and our reactions when the tech tools do not respond during the classroom instruction. Participating in different blogging forum rooms allowed me to be an active member in a discussion over the topics that I was interested in. It also helped me to practice my online leadership and digital citizenship skills. The discussions were handled very professionally and in a respectful and responsible way.
Overall, it may be said the blogging discussion assignment inspired me to continue expressing my thoughts and opinions, to listen to other’s perspectives and have deep conversations about themes that interest me.
Reversing the Traditional Model of a Classroom: A Flipped Classroom
With the impact of the technology in education today and the use of digital tools, new learning models have emerged toward student-focused learning environments. One of the educational technology trends that it is getting a lot of attention in classrooms today is a flipped classroom.
Flipped classroom means that teachers flip their instruction from traditional classroom settings to student-centered learning settings. Flipped classroom models require students be active and responsible for their own learning process and learn at their own pace. In the flipped classroom, teachers post lessons on the school social media network for students to have access to information and instruction outside of the classroom. Then the content is available for students to work at their own pace from anywhere before they go to class. At that point, students are prepared ahead of time to work in groups and ready to apply the concepts they have previously reviewed on social media. Consequently, in class, students spend time discussing, collaborating and interacting with peers and teachers by answering questions, applying concepts to real problem-solving activities and expanding their learning. For more details you can go to Flipped Classroom or Teaching for Tomorrow: Flipped Learning
Most educators would agree that the flipped classroom model embraces key learning practices for students to succeed in the 21st century. It reduces teacher direct instruction, increases student-focused learning and empowers students to control their own learning. With that said, how do you see the implementation of flipped classrooms in your instruction today? What are some ways that you could incorporate flipped classroom into your instruction? What are some of the challenges you see in using a flipped classroom?
I am completely with the pedagogy of a flipped classrooms because I know as a student myself, I get the most out of learning with more student-focused work and less direct instruction. Often end up zoning out and entering “Lala Land” after twenty minutes of an instructor talking. When I am held accountable for my own learning, and able to be actively engaged in the lesson, my learning is far more effective and meaningful.
ReplyDeleteTaking my own personal experience of learning, I can only imagine that our students who are younger, and need MORE interactive assignments, that a flipped classroom is ideal. And let us be serious, we all learn by doing more efficiently than we do complete direct instruction.
I slowly begin to flip my classroom through the the course of the school year. Often it starts off with a small group, then an additional group, until the room is able to evolve into a working machine of student lead discussion and collaboration. Usually this starts in the reading small groups and spreads throughout the rest of the subjects.
Some of the challenges I have faced have when completely trusting students. They are children and they test boundaries and can be extremely clever little digital ninjas. Just the other day, I caught a student through Go Guardian messaging her friend about what bathroom to meet her in. While, I was able to interject, I really wish I did not have to catch them and could completely trust them. Overall, I feel by the end of the year MOST my students develop a respect and understanding on how to operate within the community of our classroom. Yet, they are still human, and to expect 100% from 100% may be too optimistic.
Sheila,
ReplyDeleteIf I would implement the flipped classroom model in my instruction, I would begin the same way you do in your class. I totally agree that the transition between teacher direct instruction and the flipped classroom model should begin slowly so we both, teachers and students, could better prepare to succeed in the flipped classroom model. On the use of digital learning tools, I believe that we will not be exempt of finding some students to dare digital citizen rights and ignore what it is acceptable so we need to be very vigilant and keep our guard up together with parents to promote a safe, respectable and responsible digital learning environment. By the way, I have used Edmodo and Google classroom as apps for collaborative lessons, which platform would you recommend for teachers to begin the flipped classroom model?
I looked into Edmodo, but did not really explore entirely too much. I probably should. Why do you you like Edmodo so much? Just curious because I have not really used it. In regards to what platform I would utilize in a flipped classroom, I am not certain I am there yet. I am still apprehensive about providing my students THAT much trust....just yet. I have anticipatory plans to as the year proceeds though. I would say that as of right now, I do allow students to have Reading Group Discussions in their Google Classrooms. They are responsible for asking thick questions, making inferences, and discussing problems. They are responsible for responding to one another and keeping up with meaningful conversation. I do not chime in during this and only monitor that students respond appropriately.
ReplyDeleteThe school I worked at before coming here used Edmodo in the middle school level grades. You can communicate with parents and students and turn your classroom into a paperless classroom. In my eyes Edmodo is very similar to Schoology.
DeleteI have been looking into Edmodo; however, I haven't assigned any classrooms to it. It resembles Schoology because you are able to post assignments. As well as post grades and it provides data for the tests. I am still learning how to navigate LMS's.
DeleteI really find that Edmodo, Schoology and Google Classroom are great Learning Management Systems (LMSs) that have the collaboration and communication tools for a flipped classroom. I have worked with all of them. They are there for you to use on whichever you feel most comfortable with and will help you to reach students’ learning goals.
ReplyDeleteClara,
DeleteIs Edmodo your favorite LMS or has another caught your eye? I am interested in hearing your perspective. I have used Google Classroom and Schoology more than using Edmodo. I will say that I enjoy using Schoology more because it is a one stop shop for me.
Edmodo is the one I have used the most but lately I am using Google Classroom, and I would like to start using more Schoology. I found its rubric feature very useful and practical for teachers and students. By the way, I am still interested in how do you find using Schoology for a flipped classroom?
DeleteClara,
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of flipped classroom for some aspects of education because it gives students ownership in their education. I am unsure how to implement it fully because I do not have a classroom. I am curious how flipped classrooms work with students who are reading 3 - 4 grades below their grade level.
Nicole,
DeleteOne think that I really like of the flipped classroom model is that it allows instruction to be differentiated. Students can go over the lessons on their own time and on their own pace. When they are in class, teachers assist students according to their needs. Students who struggles with reading skills, work on different pace compared with the rest of their classmates. They need constant assistance and frequent progress monitoring practices to make them succeed in school. With the flipped classroom model, teachers focus on providing individualize assistance.
Clara, I love that you say "flipped classroom model allows instruction to be differentiated." because it truly does! I also think it really provides time for teachers who need to work more one-on-one with some students, and allow more independence for those who our flourishing with the lesson objective. To be honest, I cannot see how anyone, of any age, could sit through an entire day of direct instruction. Talk about your brain bleeding out of your ears... can you imagine how kids would feel? ESPECIALLY in the world they're growing up in has so much technology and stimulus?
DeleteClara,
DeleteI like your thoughts about flipped classrooms allowing students who struggle with reading a way for them to be able to work at their own pace. I feel that with the quarterly expectations being so strict, students are not able to fully master the concepts being taught. I still have a lot to learn before I feel confident in utilizing a flipped classroom concept with the students I work with.
Thank you!
One of the struggles I have with flipped classrooms is students learning at their own pace. I am all for students being able to learn at their own pace, but I feel with the pressure of pacing guides and getting through the curriculum it is not as easily possible as I would hope. I read an article for another class that I am taking saying students not understanding and moving at their own pace is like letting them go into a pool without the ability to swim and watch them drown. I definitely think that students should be able to learn at the pace that is best suited for them. Students that need extra time to gain understanding should be able to get it. If there is so much research shown on the importance of students learning at their own pace why is haven't more people jumped on this bandwagon.
ReplyDeleteAgree! Agree! Agree! Schools often preach how important it is to scaffold skill-by-skill, yet, keep their teachers tied to district pacing. Is that not a contradiction in itself?
DeleteYou both make valid points. I have issues with the pace of the pacing guides. I feel that students are unable to gain mastery of the concepts being taught at the pace they are. I like the idea of a "flipped classroom" where students can learn at their own pace.
Delete