Week 3 Reflection  Reversed Instruction

We began our week with one of our three face-to-face meetings. It is helpful to get together with colleagues to learn, in awe,  from their ideas/hints and to commiserate with those who struggle as well!

Steve shared information about using Screencast-O-Matic to prepare videos that could be used to "flip" the classroom. Although we were provided time in which to set it up on our laptops and to practice, I dragged my heels in getting started. I was sitting next to someone who can make technology look soooooo easy and I knew it wouldn't be that easy for me. I knew that Erin would be reviewing how to use Explain Everything, an app that I have seen on my iPad and opened once but didn't know what to do with it, so I thought I would skip trying Screencast and move right along to Explain Everything. However, at Erin's gentle urging to step outside of my comfort zone and just give it a try, and I did.  I opened a document I created for one of my classes and used Screencast to record my instructions. It was simple enough to use in my most basic of ways. It will take some practice in order to attain any wow-factor.

I found Dr. McCammon's "No Lecture in the Classroom" quite interesting and could identify with his description of today's students. Students no longer need to find ways in which to entertain themselves, they are entertained throughout their day and nights with social media, video games, movies, music, texting, etc. No longer can they sustain focus when simply sitting and listening to teachers lecture; they seem to only be willing to engage or focus if there is a digital factor involved.  McCammon asserts that without making drastic changes in the way in which instruction is presented today's teachers will be in the position of managing student behavior before being able to teach. This drastic change involves the FIZZ method of flipping the classroom. That is, students watched teacher prepared instructional videos outside of class then enjoy the opportunity of collaborating with peers as they work through engaging activities and receiving support from their teacher as needed. I watched several of his videos but I honestly found the "nuts and bolts" video the most helpful. I guess this might be considered quite shallow on my part but what bogs me down in taking leap to trying something different is in fact the nuts and bolts of how things work.

I reviewed suggested videos by Katie Gimbar and found her style easy to relate to so I viewed a couple more I found on YouTube. Her videos that answered questions about how to handle disruptive students, students who don't watch the videos outside of class,  and how to handle students lack internet access at home. As corny as this may sound, watching her videos provided me with a bit more confidence to prepare instructional videos for my classes.

When it came time to choose how I would prepare a video, I chose Explain Everything. Two of my students in my Elements of Math class continue to struggle with solving 2-digit times 2-digit multiplication problems with and without carrying, so I decided to create a video that they could watch when they forget the steps needed to solve the problems.  It was such a simple video but took a few takes because I fumbled over my words as I solved two basic multiplication problems. During one recording, my stomach growled (very audible on the recording) so I re-recorded but then my husband had coughing jag in the living room (this too was picked up from down the hall and behind closed doors).  I have to say that I actually enjoyed creating the video and know, as simple as it turned out, it will benefit two of my students.  The next step that I need to figure out is how to share it with them. I am certain that I can create a like on an old portal-portal I have but I would rather create a website and post created videos on that site.

I enjoyed this week's focus and felt just a bit more comfortable with trying new tools to bring into my instruction.

One final note, I actually woke up this morning still thinking about the question about what seems like the most difficult aspect of the FIZZ method. In my response I indicated that a change in mindset is one difficult aspect. I still believe that it is a challenge. But then I watched Steve's video of his recording attempt last night. When I woke this morning my thoughts were all about the equipment needed to create videos similar to those of Dr. McCammon and Katie Gibar: whiteboards, camera to record, tripod, etc.; how/where would I attempt to record; how would I share with my students, etc, etc, etc. I really do want to incorporate more technology in my instruction but typically lack confidence to give it a try. It takes time to explore and learn by trial and error, something with which I'm not particularly patient.