Flipped Learning

           

Flipped Learning 

To continue with our theme on Connectivism, Alan Levine discusses why developing connections is key in continuous learning of integrated technology in education in the video Alan Levine-New Media Consortium. One point he made that I found to be enlightening, especially for myself, is to establish a “network of colleagues” both in and out of our fields. Some of us may tend to only build our connections with teachers who may share the same subject areas as ourselves. However, as Levine emphasizes and also as our professor once mentioned to me during our Pinterest activity last week, we may find great ideas and learn from others who may not directly be in our specialized fields.
 

            One of the best ways professionals, especially educators, can keep up to date is by joining a social network group. I decided to join the Flipped Learning Network, which has several specialized groups within it. I became a member of the World Languages and English Language Learners groups. What is “flipped learning?” As defined in the network, the modern term “has evolved to describe any situation in which technology is used to time shift the delivery of content. It is where active learning meets technology” (Flipped Learning Community). It’s a modern and more appropriate approach to learning in my opinion. A flipped classroom, removes the teacher as being the dominant figure to making the students the center of learning while integrating technology.

            By joining a professional social network such as the Flipped Learning Community, I have access to thousands of other educators, who can share their experiences in the classroom and beyond and assist me in my path of becoming an even better language teacher. Through discussion boards, and posting comments, educators can receive feedback from others’ perspectives and practices. In fact, such a platform can help us in our future projects, as I saw one teacher in the English Language Learners group I joined, who was starting her dissertation research and needed fellow teachers to complete an online survey as part of her study. There are a myriad of benefits and reasons to start to build a professional network, and this is a great way to start.