What+is+the+flipped+classroom?

**What is the flipped classroom?**
//Does this sound familiar//.... You walk into class. You have already done three classes today and you are desperately wanting something in this class to keep you going for the rest of the day because you aren't sure whether your're going to make it at this rate! You take a seat and the teacher tells you to take out your books and begin the task that is on the board. After five minutes, the teacher stops you and begins talking, and then keeps talking, and just when you thought they were about to finish....they keep going. You are struggling to get all the notes down before the teacher changes the slide and when you ask them to slow down, they say 'well you should be writing faster'.

Towards the end of the lesson (you assume, because it feels like you have been listening and writing for what seems like an eternity), they stop. You think its a miracle, but no, they then ask you to complete a task which is meant to 'help you understand' what you have been 'learning' this period. Unfortunately, due to the teacher having rambled for the past fifty minutes, you have only 5 minutes to complete it before you pack up. The teacher smiles and says that whatever isn't finished today can be completed for homework.

You walk out of class feeling dejected and not feeling as if you have learnt anything other than what genuine hand cramp feels like.

The flipped classroom model of learning essentially does what its title suggests; 'flips' the way you learn information. Rather than sitting in class listening and frantically taking down notes for hours on end, you complete the 'lessons' at home. //**Now before you freak**// **out...** the beauty of the model is that the teacher (me) has to think about what it is that is really important for you to learn, and then create a lesson that will teach you that in as simple a way as possible. The 'lesson' generally comprises of a __//**short video**//__ (5-7mins) that has all the information that you would have learnt in class, without all the note taking and boring stories about the teachers cat and/or weekend. It also frequently contains a //__**worksheet**__// for you to complete either during or after the video - this then means you have revision notes for any assessments you complete. Then to cement that information in your head, there is also sometimes a __//**game**//__ for you to conquer.
 * What if I told you that class didn't have to be like this?**

Then you come to class. This is where the whole idea makes coming to class a whole lot more enjoyable. When you come to class having completed the online 'lesson' at home, the first 10 minutes of class are spent going through the worksheet and answering any questions you may have. We then do practical labs and activities that are linked to what you have learnt ,so that you can be learning the information in ways that are different to simply sitting and listening. The beauty here is that you not only learn the information in a way that will help you write your assessments, but you also have multiple opportunties to link it to your own sports/hobbies/pursuits, making it relevant and fun.

Benefits?

 * **Get to learn information at my own pace** - Because I do the lessons at home, I am able to rewatch the videos as many times as I like, and pause and write notes if and when I choose. No longer do I need to keep asking my teacher to slow down, or ask the person next to me what they just wrote down.
 * **If im away, I don't miss out** - There is nothing worse than coming to class having been away and feeling like the class and teacher are speaking another language. If I am away, now I can simply complete the lesson at home and ensure I don't fall behind.
 * **Easy revision!** - Before assessments, I can simply go back and rewatch the videos with all the content that was covered within each of the topics.
 * **More practical** - Because you have essentially completed the learning at home, it frees up the lesson for practical activities and the ability to ask questions, revise for assessments, and get more enjoyment out of class.
 * **Enjoyment** - With this style of learning, you get to work alongside your friends, avoid hand cramp, and get a better understanding of content which (fingers crossed!) leads to better marks!

What does it mean for me?
For this style of learning to work, it requires several things from your side:
 * **Completing lessons** - generally lessons should take no longer than 20 minutes to complete. You will be required to complete usually one lesson per week, and your only requirement is that it is completed prior to the due date.
 * **Completing and bringing the worksheets into class** - Having watched the video and done the worksheet, bringing it to class will enable you to check your answers, ask questions of things you didn't understand, and have correct revision materials.
 * **Being honest** - We all forget things from time to time, but being honest is the important thing. It simply means that you can be put with people who have completed the lesson, which saves you from embarrasssment, and allows you to still learn within the lesson.

So where to from here?
Well lucky for you - this is the style of learning that we do in 11PED! I believe that this style of learning ensures you interact with information multiple times, whilst increasing the amount of time you get to spend working alongside your peers and doing practical activities. All I ask is that you give it your all, and be honest when you are struggling - with more time in class, there is more time to have a chat about how your're going!