Student-directed learning, student-centered learning, student-driven learning – the idea of students making the conscious choice to learn is an area in which I’ve read widely because it relates strongly to my teaching in the elementary school library.
Students frequently miss my class. School library programs are not mandated in the state of Pennsylvania. As a result we are viewed primarily as providers of prep time for the classroom teachers. Students miss for band, or lessons, or to make up a test, or meet with a counselor. So I've often thought that videos would provide one way of helping students catch up.
The classic definition of flipped classroom would not be possible in my library as I cannot ask that students complete any type of work outside of class. And providing time for all students to view videos during class would be difficult with only 6 iPads to share among 24 or 25 students. Yet the idea of using videos where needed to allow students to learn independently is one I’ve been investigating. Last year I made a few videos to reinforce what we completed in class. These were rarely viewed. I think replacing direct instruction with videos for certain areas will greatly assist my students - a flipped lesson model rather than a flipped classroom one.
This week my fourth grade students are finishing up a project where they used the Explain Everything app to create a video telling or showing how to do something. The following video explains how they can create a QR code so others can view their videos. I’ll be trying this in the coming week, so hopefully it will help my students learn how to finish this final step of their project. It is a little tricky since it varies a little whether they are using an iPad or desktop for this process. I think that the real advantage over direct instruction is that they can watch the video while they are actually going through the process. In the past, even if students tried to work along with me while I model they still could not due to lack of devices.
I am anxious to see how my students do with this initial attempt at a flipped lesson – bring it on!
Image courtesy of Adam Baker CC by 2.0
Students frequently miss my class. School library programs are not mandated in the state of Pennsylvania. As a result we are viewed primarily as providers of prep time for the classroom teachers. Students miss for band, or lessons, or to make up a test, or meet with a counselor. So I've often thought that videos would provide one way of helping students catch up.
The classic definition of flipped classroom would not be possible in my library as I cannot ask that students complete any type of work outside of class. And providing time for all students to view videos during class would be difficult with only 6 iPads to share among 24 or 25 students. Yet the idea of using videos where needed to allow students to learn independently is one I’ve been investigating. Last year I made a few videos to reinforce what we completed in class. These were rarely viewed. I think replacing direct instruction with videos for certain areas will greatly assist my students - a flipped lesson model rather than a flipped classroom one.
This week my fourth grade students are finishing up a project where they used the Explain Everything app to create a video telling or showing how to do something. The following video explains how they can create a QR code so others can view their videos. I’ll be trying this in the coming week, so hopefully it will help my students learn how to finish this final step of their project. It is a little tricky since it varies a little whether they are using an iPad or desktop for this process. I think that the real advantage over direct instruction is that they can watch the video while they are actually going through the process. In the past, even if students tried to work along with me while I model they still could not due to lack of devices.
I am anxious to see how my students do with this initial attempt at a flipped lesson – bring it on!
Image courtesy of Adam Baker CC by 2.0