Flipping your Classroom - Pt. 1

For Part 1, I'll give you tools for what Jonathan Bergmann has dubbed "flipped class 101".

A few teachers at Regis Jesuit are currently experimenting or diving completely into the flipped classroom world (talk with Candace Busselmeier if you're interested).  This exciting development in teaching is supported by technological innovation, particularly with some apps for your iPads.

First, to help your transition YouTube offers a simple way to extend the length of videos you may upload (last year, Anne Etling uploaded teaching videos during an absence - but due to the 15 minute limit she had to cut them into 5 segments, which is laborious).  Click here for the page instructing how to do this, and note it assumes you already have a YouTube channel.

Second, there is a powerful app that makes video creation more easy.  It is called Explain Everything, and is available in the iTunes Store for $2.99.  Believe me, for what it does, this is an amazing app at a cheap price.  Essentially, if you are familiar with EduCreations, or even if you are not, it combines digital whiteboard slides with video production.  Essentially, take your old PowerPoint presentation, imagine each slide now being a whiteboard slide allowing manipulation (like drawing), and then add in the capacity to record your voice as you present the material.  The beauty of Explain Everything is that you record each slide independently (so, if you mess up on slide 23, you only need to re-record slide 23 and not the previous 22 slides - and those 15 minutes - again).  It even supports video within your slides that you can draw on and discuss.  Here are a few resources to help you understand this exciting software - homepage, video guides & tutorials.

Third, and final for this installment, you might pair the videos with a GoogleDoc Form (3-2-1 questionnaire for example), a Canvas Quiz, or a simple Pre-Assessment after the bell rings.  When you post the video using FAWeb, Canvas, Edmodo or whichever LMS you are using this year, simply include a link to the GoogleDoc Form (for example) and you have a "lecture" for homework.  Class now becomes the work zone and you now have time to work with each student in their learning.