I've been teaching for a decade now, and more than before I hear "we just don't have time." I understand how demanding life is these days so I was struggling with how I could implement my module.Flipping the classroom works, only if your students have time to complete the work at home.
While researching another project I stumbled upon a list of "Use of Technology in Education and Learning" published by the U.S. Dept of Ed. The list mentions a school that uses online learning for credit recovery (summer school.) That is my answer. At the end of this school year I plan on sending my module to the kids that will be in my class the next year. Sure, not everyone will follow through but those who do will be a step ahead at the beginning of the year. This is also the answer to a question I frequently hear "what should I have my child do over the summer?" Now that I see another use for my module I am even more excited to start putting it together.
I should mention that Henry did get to attend Camp Invention this year for summer school and loved every minute of it. Is your module strictly for use on the job or during class time? If it is for outside of the workplace, how do you suggest people fit the time in?
Hi Meagan!
ReplyDeleteThe modules I'm developing will be part of a flipped model, as well. Right now, students in my class do "voluntary" homework, but the modules in the future will not be voluntary. I'm in the research class right now, and I'm actually surveying my students to find out how much time they ACTUALLY spend on homework outside of class, so that I can get an idea of what's realistic for them and strategize about how to make the modules fit in. I have to admit though, about a week before the research class started, our instructor sent out an email with the syllabus and reading list and a few other instructions. I panicked! Do you have any thoughts on how to soften the blow for your students who might not be ready to take on summer learning?