I recently read an article on flipping the classroom. Prior to reading this article I had heard the term, but didn’t know many details about what it entailed. Flipping the classroom involves recording lectures for students to watch for homework and filling class time with more interactive projects and assignments. Although this sounds like a good idea, this article made me realize that using technology in this way may not be the best option for students. Firstly, if lectures are recorded and watched at home students will be spending much of their night doing homework. If a student has five classes in an average day, they will be asked to spend five hours each night doing homework. I know that as a high school student I would not have been willing to do this.
Another issue related to flipping the classroom is its strong focus on lecturing. Many educators agree today that a passive lecture is not the best way to get students involved with content. It is difficult to create an interactive lecture if students are simply watching a video at home.
Also in relation to lecturing, teachers are often asked to think on their feet. If something seems to not be going well during a lecture, a teacher can change the tone and theme of their lecture. Another problem with this is that teachers never get live feedback on their lectures. It is difficult to change and grow if you are never made aware of flaws in your delivery.
Lastly there is the on-going debate about students’ access to technology outside the classroom. It could be very costly to a school district to provide the appropriate technology to all students that do not already have it. This is a problem that may become less severe in nature over time; however, as of now it is still a relevant issue.
After reading this article I realize that are definitely still issues regarding the use of technology in classrooms. Although on the surface technology always seems like the solution to the problem, it can actually create many new problems of its own. Prior to reading this article it seemed like the majority of things I heard about flipping the classroom were positive. This author, however, raised some very legitimate concerns. I realize now that it is important to look at all aspects of technology before implementing it in your classroom. Just because something is a “buzz word” doesn’t necessarily mean that it is the right thing to do. Although technology clearly has the potential to revolutionize education, it is important to proceed with caution before using it with your students.
