Flipped Classrooms

This is an interesting blog post suggesting that the process of flipping classrooms might be the first step toward effectively transitioning teachers into integrating project based learning (ie – experiential learning) into their normal routines.

For those readers unfamiliar with flipped classes, it is the idea of ‘reverse instruction.’ In most classrooms, the teacher stands at the front of the classroom, instructs the class in a new idea, and then sends them home to practice on their homework. In the flipped classroom, students use technology (usually video) to learn a concept on their own – teachers will often make videos of themselves delivering the lesson, or sometimes use online resources like the Khan Academy videos. Then, teachers use class time to tutor students and guide their understanding as they practice and explore the new skill. The above article suggests that once the teachers get comfortable with this new format, they almost inevitably go on to design more project-based lesson plans for class time.  Here is a more in-depth description.