DECATUR, AL (WAFF) -
When a teacher is instructing students in a classroom, there is often a
lecture, students listen, and many take notes. The student then takes home assignments
and puts what they heard and saw in the classroom to work.
But in a "flipped classroom," homework is done in class and the lecture
is viewed at home via a computer. Each classroom teacher tweaks the methodology
to suit the students' needs.
A 6th grade math class at Oak Park will try out the new method this year. The
students will get netbooks, and they will take advantage of the flip method.
Vice Principal Karissa Lang said this method allows students to go home and
learn about a subject, then come back to class and put what they learned to
work. From there, they put it into practice and this frees up the teacher to
work with each individual student.
Lang said many students struggle when they don't get the support they need
at home and that flipping the classroom can help.
"We find if they don't get that support [at home], they are unable to
be successful at it," said Lang. "So with this concept, we're able to monitor
that practice in class."
Educators who have studied this method said there are several advantages to
this new way of teaching, including fewer high school dropouts and higher
grades. It also takes some burden off parents.
"Whether you're a college graduate or not, if you haven't had algebra
in years, you're not going to be able, sometimes, to help your child," added
Lang.
Depending on how this trial run goes, Lang said they may consider expanding
the flip method to more classes next year.
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Students watch lectures on school-issued netbooks.
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