Coming from a news media background it's probably redundant to say that I believe in the power of technology in order to keep us informed and knowledgeable. As technology has reshaped the way we learn, as instruments of instruction, we need to include and keep up with technology-based learning in the classrooms at a rapid rate.
The flipped classroom can be a powerful tool in the contexts of World Languages and ESL.
When the flipped classroom technique is balanced with good teaching and classroom activities that promote student engagement, learning can become more meaningful and independent. Encouraging teachers to move beyond the passive lecture format and hve them assign videos that introduce content for homework the day before the lesson can help the teacher assess prior knowledge and aids in determining what information needs to be imparted so that the students begin the lesson/unit "on the same page".
Flipping the class allows teachers to place the primary focus of the instruction on active vs. passive involvement which can create lasting and strong learning strategies. Needless to say, the task of keeping teachers an integral part of the learning process requires that teachers not necessarily depend on technology, but figure out how they can make these tools work best in the classroom.
Using web-based learning in the World Language setting is powerful because of its visual impact and the ability to pause / play the material so students can work at their own pace in the convenience in a relaxed environment without the time constraints of the classroom.
When the flipped classroom technique is balanced with good teaching and classroom activities that promote student engagement, learning can become more meaningful and independent. Encouraging teachers to move beyond the passive lecture format and hve them assign videos that introduce content for homework the day before the lesson can help the teacher assess prior knowledge and aids in determining what information needs to be imparted so that the students begin the lesson/unit "on the same page".
Flipping the class allows teachers to place the primary focus of the instruction on active vs. passive involvement which can create lasting and strong learning strategies. Needless to say, the task of keeping teachers an integral part of the learning process requires that teachers not necessarily depend on technology, but figure out how they can make these tools work best in the classroom.
Using web-based learning in the World Language setting is powerful because of its visual impact and the ability to pause / play the material so students can work at their own pace in the convenience in a relaxed environment without the time constraints of the classroom.
First of all let me say that your blog design is very nice and easy to read. I especially like how you added a quote about education on the bottom!
ReplyDeleteI agree with your point that videos make learning more accessible to students who face a language barrier: the diagrams and pictures help reinforce the words.
I remember as a student in Spanish class they showed us outdated VHS tapes. Today, a teacher can show clips of more recent films from YouTube with subtitles to help students learn a new language. Perhaps the key to using these lessons effectively is to follow through with students in class and check for comprehension.
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ReplyDeleteDiana,
ReplyDeleteI agree that a visual aid such as a video can be helpful for students that may be facing difficulties with a language barrier. Our country has a growing number of families that do not speak English as their primary language and the numbers continue to increase. I think that it could be helpful for that specific population as well as anyone else who is a visual learner. A visual representation of information is certainly a great way to reinforce the auditory information being presented.
I had not thought about the aspect of losing the person-to-person interaction through this use of technology. As it seems that our society is consistently removing the need for this kind of communication, it would make sense that education would follow suit. I don't think that it's necessarily a good thing, but it's likely unavoidable to some extent. I think in some ways it could offer more time for interaction with the teacher since it won't be a one way dialogue. I mean that many times there is not too much communication BETWEEN the teacher and student but rather just the teacher TO the student. Maybe this would allow for the entire class time to be a used for that communication rather than simply lecture.