5. Instruction Delivery 

Go to the quiz.  

I was assigned the project of creating a Flipped Classroom in my Technology and Education class.  The idea of the flipped classroom is that the students listen to an online lecture at home when they would traditionally do assigned homework.  Instead, they complete the homework in class when the teacher can help they when they get stuck on a problem.  For this project, I create a video lecture about metaphors and similes for a 4th grade class.  The students would watch the video, and then complete a quiz that shows them how to apply the knowledge they have just gained.  In class, they would ask question about the problems and then we could discuss any difficulties the students had.  This way we are not moving on to the next unit without a firm understanding of metaphors and similes.  

The flipped classroom is a great way to differentiate instruction in the classroom.  A teacher should focus on "differentiated instruction through the use of a wide variety of materials, technologies, and resources" (Knowledge Indicators 5C).  Students are so use to receiving a lecture in the classroom and then going home to be confused by homework only to return to receive even more information.  While this is the traditional form of instruction, I would argue that traditional does not always mean most effective.  The time when students need their teacher the most, homework time, is when they are not there.  The flipped classroom helps solve this problem.  It allows kids to watch a lecture on their own time and then bring questions and ideas to the class.  This not only gives the students a change to ask clarifying questions, it also opens the door for more group discussion and creative/critical thinking.  This dynamic environment is a wonderful place for students not only to learn from the teacher, but from one another as well.  

I learned that the structural method that is so commonly used is not the only way for students to receive information.  In fact, it might not even be the most effective way for some children.  Before completing this project, my view of the classroom was very standardized.  The teacher gives information and the students complete homework.  Now I see that the classroom is a dynamic place where instruction and learning can take many shapes.  I love the flipped classroom and how it opens space for student voices.  I hope to use it in my own classroom some day.  

This is a reflection I wrote after I recorded myself teaching.  I put my camera up and taught a lesson, then went back to consider how it went.  

A competent teacher makes sure she "monitors and adjusts strategies" (Performance Indicators 5J).  By watching myself teach, I can learn how to change my instruction to make it as effective as possible.  It can be hard to think about the changes you need to make because we get stuck in our own heads. However, by recording myself, I was able to take a 3rd person perspective on my instruction.  When watching the video, I noticed things I did not even realize I was doing.  Overall, this video taught me what I need to change so that I can continue to learn in my profession. 

I learned that I tend to overuse some words while I am teaching. I have started to try to diversify my vocabulary when I am lecturing.  I also noticed I tend to click my pen while talking.  This might annoy some students, so I have started to fidget with a coin instead.  Finally, I learned that I have to quiet the class more than I think I do.  After this realization, I created new rules in the classroom to control the noise level.