The Amazing Flipped Classroom
A new dimension of online learning is emerging and making headlines -- the flipped classroom. Now, easy to use technology is turning classroom time on its head. In a flipped classroom, instructors pre-record lectures that students watch at home in advance of the class time. Students can watch, rewind, and fast-forward as needed. Lectures can be watched more than once. Rather than using the class time to impart the initial lesson, the instructor can use the time to clarify and expand on the topic, to answer student questions, or implement additional learning activities.
To great effect, Dyson College Professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Abbey Berg, has employed Echo360 technology to teach using the flipped classroom model.
Q: Which classes are you teaching using this technology?
A: I use the Echo360 technology in all classes I teach.
Q: When did you start using the Echo360 technology and what inspired you to give it a try?
A: I started pre-recording all of my lectures after attending a Faculty Institute where David Prensky spoke on flipped teaching. I researched the technology and pedagogy and decided to give it a try.
Q: Was Echo360 difficult to start using?
A: Initially I felt awkward because when you lecture to a live audience, the class, you get feedback from students. When you pre-record your lectures you do not. I thought my voice sounded unnatural but my students have assured me I do not.
Q: How does the flipped classroom model work?
A: I pre-record my lectures from home. Lectures by topic are recorded in advance. Students are required to listen to these lectures prior to class as part of the assignment. This allows me to skip over sections that were easily understood and spend more time on difficult concepts. Further, I have more class time to expand on topics and offer additional perspectives (e.g. narratives).
Q: How long are your lectures?
A: I try to keep the lectures between 20-30 minutes.
Q: What benefits have you experienced or observed?
A: I see improved student engagement and interest, increased class participation, more precise questions asked. There is also a better understanding of the material as evidenced by higher exam and final grades.
Q: Do the students like it?
A: Love it. The students like the ability to take notes on pre-recorded lectures. They reported a reduction of stress in not having to write everything down in class. They also show an increased understanding and improved ability to apply and practice concepts.
Berg along with two Communication Sciences and Disorder majors, Hind Ibrahim and Stephanie Magaster, and Psychology major Stephen Salbod conducted research comparing the learning outcomes of traditional and flipped classrooms. Entitled Flipping Over Echo360, the research poster was accepted by the 2013 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Annual Convention and will be presented at the convention in November in Chicago, Illinois.
To learn more about Echo360, please contact Martina Blackwood at email@example.com or (212) 346-1913.