When I first started the Provincial Instructor Diploma Program I wanted to gain the insights necessary to successfully create online courses for my organization. This transitioned to a new idea of potentially using flipped classroom, and now I am into my fourth course and I don't know whether I will "Flip or Flop" as this article puts it.
I think what it has come down to is a better understanding of where each of the various learning opportunities has it's place. We don't have to choose just one to use, we need to use the right strategy or tool at the right time. A paint brush won't do when a screw driver is needed.
Where we can't accommodate the travel on an ongoing basis or at all, or schedules don't allow distance learning is a great option. E-Learning courses can be the short and sweet learning bytes needed for all our volunteers. They are ready to go any day of the week and will get everyone the same information.
I think what it has come down to is a better understanding of where each of the various learning opportunities has it's place. We don't have to choose just one to use, we need to use the right strategy or tool at the right time. A paint brush won't do when a screw driver is needed.
Where we can't accommodate the travel on an ongoing basis or at all, or schedules don't allow distance learning is a great option. E-Learning courses can be the short and sweet learning bytes needed for all our volunteers. They are ready to go any day of the week and will get everyone the same information.
The addition of online forums, social media, and information sharing platforms augment this into opportunities for peer teaching. For me, though, there is nothing that will replace the face to face opportunities for volunteers, especially those who are involved in leadership or part of a team. The higher learning, peer sharing, and chance to get to know people's strengths and challenges is still easier when we are in a classroom and social setting. While this is great, our time is very limited with our volunteers, and content is often heavy even though we know hands on learning is what they need. Therefore the flipped learning model is a great choice. While the earlier article found that they as a group evolved past flipped learning to problem based learning, perhaps we will too. However for now, it still is a great option for us.
What do you need to know about Flipped learning? here's a very concise article, "What is Flipped Learning", on the difference between flipping a classroom and flipping learning, and the four pillars as they put it that need to be in place in order to flip learning.
While the learning becomes more learner centered in this model, we have opportunities to dig deeper in the areas we need more time for. The educator has a lot of importance in choosing the appropriate content, how to encourage students outside of the classroom and what to do with those that arrive without having done their part before hand... have you heard of Just in Time Learning? We will have to explore this on another post.
While the learning becomes more learner centered in this model, we have opportunities to dig deeper in the areas we need more time for. The educator has a lot of importance in choosing the appropriate content, how to encourage students outside of the classroom and what to do with those that arrive without having done their part before hand... have you heard of Just in Time Learning? We will have to explore this on another post.