Journal 3: Article - Upside Down and Inside Out

Fulton, K. (2012). Upside down and inside out: Flip your classroom to improve student learning. Learning & leading with technology, 39(8), 12-14. Retrieved from: http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/issues/Upside_Down_and_Inside_Out.aspx

Summary/Analysis: The flipped classroom involves that the student's learning environment is moved from the classroom to their homes. Instead the students go to class in order to do their homework. At home the students are presented with lectures and lessons at home where they have the time to learn in a more relaxed and private learning environment. Student's interact with technology at home in order for them to learn the material and study the topics in the lesson plan. A reason that teachers and schools choose to flip their classrooms is because they don't have to use textbooks in a flipped classroom. This allows for the school to function on a lower budget as the material in the curriculum transfers from a book to a digital format. The class and material is instead presented through the class website. There is documented success of the effectiveness of the flipped classroom in which both the teachers and the students benefit. Results even show that students have an increased proficiency in the topic that is being taught.

Question 1: What are the cons of using technology at home for students to learn at home in a flipped classroom setting?

Answer 1: The downside of integrating technology in the household for students to learn at home is that not every student will have access to technology. This can be due to the different economic status presented by the diversity of students in any given classroom. Student's without an access to a computer would not gain an equal access to the lectures provided by the teachers.

Question 2: What can be done in a flipped classroom to provide a better environment for students to do homework?

Answer 2: In the classroom, students are supposed to do homework but this time can also be used for the teachers to provide their input on the student's homework.Any of the student's questions could be answered during this time and possibly provide some tutoring time if the students need it.