Week 11: Today I Learn, Today I Question

Mdm Ng started the class by drowning us with tons of information!!! It's a big big world in the cyberspace! 

Then we got 'flipped' by Shakirah! Everyone was trying to regain their balance, hence the commotion! Sorry Shakirah, we were'nt try to make life difficult for you, the fact is, I'm (maybe we) a skeptical person. Possibly stemmed from years of training in sciences. We question every single bit of information! =p However, would like to position myself in a "neutrally skeptical" stance.

Flipped classroom, inverts traditional teaching methods, delivering instruction online outside of class and moving “homework” into the classroom. Luv the idea! To me, it bring a completely breath of fresh air, a simple tweak in teaching ideology, although the idea might have existed long time ago prior to the 'flipped' terminology. But again, I'll like to keep my reservation, simple tweak in ideology, but may bring radical changes in our T&L approach. Teachers will be "teaching" differently ==> the incorporation of web 2.0 tools, videos, facilitating students' learning in classrooms; students' approach to learning will differ too as they learn via virtual online platform, discussing homework in classroom setting, clarifying their doubts mainly in classroom rather than the usual after class etc.. I'm cautious here because there's so many fantastic, dynamic and good idea out there, in this context, pedagogical approach. Just because a certain idea/thing is good does not mean we gotta straight away jump onto the bandwagon. Taking the analogy of investment, there are claims that

• investing in property is good
• investing in shares is good
• investing in gold is good
• investing in franchise business is good etc

But we all know that it's not that straight forward. As to be successful and to reap the rewards from the investment, one have to master the secrets of the trade. Even reading and attending class on one doesn't guarantee success in this aspect. It takes years of experience, it takes time, effort and concerted reflection. People can point the way, but you must walk the way. It should be similar in the context of education. Just because it is a good and effective pedagogy, one shouldn't blindly take the plunge.

I've identified at least three critical success area (aka assumptions) for flipped classroom to be effective (in my current context):

Students

• Need to increase their responsibility in learning. 
• Need to take the initiatives to prepare themselves before every lesson. 
• Need to be able to learn independently in the online setting (watch lecture videos/ read learning materials etc 

Teachers

• Need to master the secrets of what makes an effective 'flipped' classroom
• Need to be more dedicated in spending more time to prepare the learning aids material
• Need to put in more effort in planning each lesson, both in-class activities & out-of-class activities/materials

Infrastructure

• Students to have access to the internet, preferably at home

Did look up more on 'flipped' classroom, and chance upon an article on Science 2.0. Hey, the people who coined the idea, both Aaron Sams and Jonathan Bergmann are Chemistry teachers!! Wow! Now I'm motivated. =p

So to flip or not to flip? 

==> Gotta first strap myself with safety belt before I flip. Safety always comes first, you know! =p