What is a Flipped Classroom?

It is a method of teaching in which students view the content before class so that class time can be focused on the higher levels of thinking - analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating (Brame 2013). The more common form of the model is for students to view videos on their own through various media, and then the class time is spent on homework, discussion, interventions, etc. The teacher is better able to provide support and differentiated instruction based on feedback from students.

• Why I Flipped My Classroom

Some Questions to Consider before Flipping Your Classroom

• Do your students have access to a computer?
• Do your students have access to the Internet? 
• Will you included yourself in the video?
• Do you have the video recording equipment necessary?
• How many videos should you create?  

Screencasting vs. Video Recording with the Teacher

There are different sides to the coin. There is research that shows that making it personal by appearing in the video may be more effective than having students just watch a narrated presentation. You will have to find what works with your students because each classroom and each teacher is unique.

Here are some videos that discuss the importance of the teacher in the video:

• How Do You Make Your Videos? Why? 
• Katie Gimar's Flipped Classroom - why it has to be me! 
• Why This Method? Flipped Classroom Training Program 

Software for Screencasting

You should pre-plan using a storyboard or outline of some sort. Once you have your script, you will need a screenrecording or screencasting tool or you can videotape yourself using a camera (like the videos in the previous section), mobile device with video recording capabilities, video recorder, etc.

• Screencast-O-Matic (FREE, web-based)
• Jing (FREE, install)
• Screenr (FREE, web-based) 
• Movenote (FREE, web-based) 
• Camtasia ($$, install)

Putting a Flipped Lesson Together

There are different ways to post your videos and get feedback from your students.

• You could send an email to your class with the links to the videos (CDs or DVDs for those without Internet access).
• You could post the links to the videos on your class website.
• You could use a wiki or blog where students would have to comment on the content they viewed.
• Use websites such as Educanon, Blendspace and LessonPaths and get feedback.

References

Brame, C., (2013). Flipping the classroom. Vanderbilt University Center for Teaching. Retrieved Friday, July 11, 2014 from http://cft.vanderbilt.edu/guides-sub-pages/flipping-the-classroom/.