The flipped classroom

    In our traditional classroom, teachers teach and interact with students and students do their homework after class. Here comes the problem: sometimes, we thought we understood the concept being thought; however, when doing our homework alone, we felt frustrated since what we had learned did not work at that time. Flipped classroom changes the model of traditional classroom and make it possible for students to do their homework in classroom.

    Even though there is no single model for the flipped classroom, it leaves us an impression that Flipped classroom means that teacher asks the students to watch some short video lectures at home before the class session, so they can focus on exercises, projects, or discussion in the class. In the article three reasons to flip your class, Marshall mentioned that the flipped classroom can increases comprehension of the material since students can learn at their own pace with the help of video. Secondly, it can increases interaction with teacher and peers when they discuss in groups or teacher offers help in the class. Thirdly, it can increases critical thinking in the process of learning because it gives the students more opportunity to participate at their cognitive level rather than comprehending the content of the class. It seems that it is necessary for teachers to flip their class to improve the class efficiency.

    In my opinion, the first problem is what if students don’t watch the videos at home? I think it is the biggest problem that every teacher may face in their classroom. Fortunately, I got some useful ideas on the internet. Such as Gimbar thought that ask students to take notes, copy down the definitions, and copy down the examples when they are watching the videos. I think another way to encourage our students to watch videos at home is to teach them the importance of interaction in the class and to help them establish the sense of group honor. 

    Another problem for me is that since students are required to watch videos at home, it means that every students have access to computer. As a matter of fact, most students live in the dormitory where computers are not provided. In addition, parents and head teachers forbid students to use computer after school for fear that they are addicted to computer games. In my class, I think I may rarely use this teaching method unless they have a two-day or longer break to ensure all of them can watch the video after class.