Flipped  or  Flattened Classroom

                Great teachers are always exploring new strategies to improve teaching and learning.  Flipped or flattened classroom is not about comparing the models but acknowledging diversity in our classroom. Students are dynamic, and therefore instruction and assessment strategies should be dynamic.  Teachers do not have to stick to the style that they used yesterday since it worked so well, it may not work well today with the same set of students.  Assess and adjust.  Be ready, be flexible, and be accommodating.

Flipped or flattened, there is one common denominator, both incorporate project based and cooperative learning.  Can students apply or transfer their learning outside the four walls?  Can students work together as a team? 

I like a teacher who gives you something to take home to think about besides homework.  ~Lily Tomlin as "Edith Ann"

The flipped classroom inverts traditional teaching method, delivering instruction online outside of class and moving “homework” into the classroom. Resources Jackie Gerstein Ed.D http://www.scoop.it/t/the-flipped-classroom/ Sams,  A. & Bergman, J. (2012) How the flipped classroom is transforming learning http://www.thedailyriff.com/articles/how-the-flipped-classroom-is-radically-transforming-learning-536.php Andrew Miller (2012) Five Best Practices for the Flipped Classroom.  http://www.edutopia.org/blog/flipped-classroom-best-practices-andrew-miller Musallam, R. (2011) Should You Flip Your Classroom?  http://www.edutopia.org/blog/flipped-classroom-ramsey-musallam

The concept of a 'flat classroom' is based on the constructivist principle of a multi-modal learning environment that is student-centered and a level playing field for teacher to student and student to teacher interaction. Resources About Flat classroom http://www.flatclassroomproject.org/About Russo, A. (2007).  Global Education On a Dime: A Low-Cost Way to Connect .    http://www.edutopia.org/international-exchange-online-collaboration-projects

 

What is your reading preference?

             I picked up a tradition of sending a digital correspondent in the form of a text to my children every morning.  The content is meant to encourage and guide them throughout the day.  This year my daughter joined, the tradition but her digital correspondent is sent at 7pm daily as medical facts.  On Friday May 18, 2012, she transmitted the following fact: “People generally read 25% slower from a computer screen compared to paper.”  The researcher, teacher, and reader inside me stepped into action.  The reader analyzed my preferences: kindle reader, paper, and then computer.  The teacher reflected on the behavior exhibited by my students during a directed reading activity.  Student’s choices are normally: paper, screen, and then audio.  Lastly, the researcher investigated the statement and there seems to be very little readily available research comparing print and computer readability. 

           Charles Arthur (2008) article in the guardian, summarized aspects of printed and e-books.  He claims that reading on a screen is tiring, and slower.  On the other hand, he adds, with the paper you are not tempted to check your email or click on unrelated links.  Dillon, McKnight and Richardson (1988), identified five broad differences between print and screen reading (screen reading is slower, less accurate, more fatiguing, decreases comprehension and is rated inferior by readers).  They also explained 10 variables proposed as potential causes of reading differences between paper and screen (eye movement, screen dynamics, display polarity, orientation, viewing angle, user characteristics, aspect ratio, flicker, image polarity, display characteristics, and anti-aliasing).  

           A search of recent comparative studies of print versus screen readability revealed results similar to Dillon et. al. (1988) research.  E-books are cost efficient and portable but if they are to be accessed via, a desktop or laptops then there is a need for a more reader friendly screen.  What is your reading preference?

Arthur, C. (2008).  It's the screens, not the internet, that are making us stupid.  Retrieved from  http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2008/jul/04/charles.arthur

 

Dillon, A., McKnight, C., & Richardson, J. (1988).  Reading from paper versus reading from screens.  Retrieved from  http://www.ischool.utexas.edu/~adillon/Journals/Paper%20vs%20screens.htm

Convery Optometrists (n.d) Eye Facts. Retrieved from http://converyoptometrists.com/facts.aspx

Education Struggle, "within" and "without"

 At this age and time education systems all over the world continues to face issues within and without.  In America “within” the system, there is quest to employ a working curriculum, apply the best instructional strategies that will cater for students of all age groups and developmental levels.  The system also pursues assessment tools (formative and summative assessment) that will clearly reflect students learning and deficit.  The struggle “without” is to keep the policy makers, politicians, media and taxpayers “happy” that the schools are adopting their multimillion reforms and stipulations, complying to the rules- standards, producing competitive grades and in the meantime keeping their budget in check.  Thanks to school partners and the PTSA’s, schools budget would have been struggled to death with barely enough to work with.