QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF
Before You Flip Your Classroom
HOW MUCH?
Are you trying to flip your entire course? or just a lesson? I recommend starting small and trying a lesson or two first. If you are going to flip your entire course, I recommend using your summer to plan it out as throroughly as possible.
WHERE TO START?
When looking for a trial lesson, pick one your students traditionally have difficulty with (this way you are giving yourself more face-time to work with them on the concepts).
STUDENT TECHNOLOGY NEEDS?
Students will need a device of some sort for home use. A smartphone can work, but a laptop or desktop computer is ideal. Many schools are now assigning laptops as they move to 1:1 arrangements. A device is not all they need, however. Make certain your students have home internet access. Some schools have partnered with providers to check out home MiFi devices for students who do not have internet access.
STUDENT ACCOUNTABILITY?
All your hard work will be for naught if your students don't actually view or engage in the assigned home materials. You need to devise a system that holds them accountable. Some of the tools I suggest later will have this built-in, but for those that do not, you can grade notes for credit, use an "entrance ticket" quick check, or a classroom clicker quiz as formative assessment and accountability tools.
TEACHER TECHNOLOGY NEEDS?
I could write a lengthy wishlist of all the tools we as teachers wish we had access to, but the reality of budgets usally means most are unattainable. That does not mean flipping your classroom is unattainable. You do need access to a computer. Preferably you need access to a computer that can record video and audio. And even better, a tablet that also allows you to write on your screen. However, you can make do with just a computer. All of the program options I will suggest will be free or have a minimal fee. If you are lucky to be in a school with a larger tech budget - the world is your oyster!