Flipped Classroom - Post no. 4

I feel like there is a miscorrelation between the flipped classroom and what we did last time in class, but at the moment I am not going to explain that.

I think it is VERY important for every student to experience the type of classroom environment we had, so that they are aware of the NECESSITY of an in-person teacher in class. There is a lot of wasted time, time usually filled with the air of confusion; "did I do the task well?", "what am I to do next?", "am I doing the right thing?", "am I running out of time?" and A LOT of other questions I cannot recall at the moment. The struggle is real. For it to work, the instructions should be given in great detail at the beginning and during the class, because the distance in space and time makes it difficult for the student to relay on their own understanding. There will always a bit of uncertainty and hesitation as long as the teacher is not there to confirm whether they're doing right or wrong. There is little or no correction at all, even though it depends in what you’re teaching. You will want to be there to explain. Let alone when there are internet issues or lack of technological tools. Not everyone owns a laptop or a good smartphone. Let’s not make our students feel less if we are not totally sure they’ve got it all set, or if we don’t offer the right gadgets for them. PLUS, there are huuuge distractions, especially if the students are young or not motivated to learn that way. Even though, if I were to describe describe a flipped classroom environment, all of the above would be reduced because the teacher would be there to help on all of the things mentioned. The only thing that would change would be the delivery of information, that would be while they're home, prior the beginning of class. I MEAN, there is a reason why a teacher is a teacher: to teach by instructing and explaining. If the students wanted to watch videos they would do it on their own, by themselves, or have the teacher suggest the videos or other materials as additional information or food for thought; not to serve as the lesson itself. I would be the laziest teacher if I were to do that on daily basis, UNLESS I made the videos myself and I was in them. I would love that in fact. If you missed the class, it is a great way to make sure you don't miss the lesson, or me. ☺

Yet, I would like to acknowledge that it does have a few other advantages like the fact that it is self-paced and as a student, if you’re not prepared you don’t have to be feel terrified because of the lack of knowledge in class like it would happen with a traditional class (even if the teacher itself is not terrifying, there are other reasons, like student sensibility etc.), and I do believe it promotes student-centered learning. I did pause and rewind the video we were asked to watch as much as I needed to, and others did too.

Anyway I am quite sceptic about what you can really acquire in a flipped classroom that at the end of the day, you cannot acquire in a normal classroom, because WOW, in a few years, the internet will no longer be cool.

P.S. no song of the day for today just because.