webinar

Something I learned from watching the webinar was the video is 10% and what they do in the classroom is 90% of what matters. While I started creating my own lesson I spent hours looking for videos that were just right. However, as Todd pointed out, I should spend more time planning what the class will do in the classroom the following day more than the videos because that is what is most important. The videos are not meant for the students to master the material, they are more of just an introduction.

One question I have for Todd would be "Don't you think students would perform better on projects in class rather than surprise quizzes?" I personally do not agree that he doesn't grade his projects and instead gives 3-5 question pop quizzes. From experience and the observations I have completed, students never like or perform well on pop quizzes. It stresses them out and gives them negative feelings towards what they are learning. Personally, I would much rather grade my students on work they have interest in and work hard to complete rather than surprise them with unannounced quizzes every so often.

I watched Todd Nesloney's flipped classroom from September 17 (You can watch it here) and right off the back it gave me another reason of why I do not like the idea - his microphone wasn't picking up his voice and for the whole first five minutes there was constant sound difficulties. If this happened while he was making his own videos for his kids to watch at home and his class wasn't online live with him during that time to tell him they couldn't hear him, he may never realize no one can hear what he is saying and waste both his and the students' time creating and watching a useless video. Another reason I was totally opposed to the flipped classroom idea was because if a student did not watch the videos prior to class, they would be extremely behind and clueless during the class time activities. However, I did like Todd's idea of making those who did not watch the videos go to the back of the class and watch it while the rest of the class discussed their WSQs and when they moved on to the activities for the day, those who did not watch did not get to join and instead completed worksheets related to the task. This gives them the same conceptual practice just not in as fun of a way. This method opened me up to the idea of a flipped classroom a little more. In addition, I also agree that the flipped classroom and project based learning is more fun and promotes a deeper understanding, however, I do not think it will work for all grades. I think it will be too difficult for younger children and more of a hassle then it is worth and since I want to teach at the elementary level, I do not see myself using the flipped classroom concept too much, if any. Although the video did open my mind a little more than it was originally to the idea, I still do not think it is for me.