Some time ago, I was introduced to Eric Marcos from mathtrain.tv. He is a middle school math teacher in California who’s students make math videos and post them online. Since moving into my new position as a technology staff developer I am starting to play with students making videos for each other. I really think this is one area in the flipped class which we need to explore more deeply.
As I was discussing the flipped class with one of my middle school math teachers we decided to see if we could get some of her “advanced” kids to make a video for those who are struggling with the content. I agreed to help them out and see what they could produce.
One afternoon I took five of these students into a room with a SMART Board and we attempted to make our first video. It became quite clear that not all students were going to be good at making this math video. Some of the brightest math students were making the worst video. When they went to solve a problem, they skipped steps and didn’t explain what they were doing. In retrospect, I shouldn’t have been surprised. Sometimes the brightest students jump three steps ahead, all in their mind, and don’t make the best teachers.
But as it turns out, two of the students really got the knack for making the video. They explained it well, were able to get over the insecurities that often come with being thirteen or fourteen years old, and they made a really good video.
In the near future, I am planning on starting a video club at my school where I will be coaching students on how to make videos. They will make content videos, and also fun videos. My thinking, as of now, is to have 8th grade students make videos for 7th grade students, and 6th grade students make videos for 5th graders, etc. Once I get this started I will start sharing their videos with you all.
It is encouraging to hear others experienced this as well. We’re in the process of creating newer, student assisted videos for our flipped class blog but have run into the same issues of shyness and skipping steps. Hoping to find some solutions this summer! Thanks for sharing!
What a great idea! I also think you highlighted something, maybe without realizing it that standardized testing and such has led us to forget- teaching is an art. Knowledge of a subject is not all that makes a great teacher. I love the idea of kids making videos themselves though, is that not the peak of Bloom's Taxonomy? I am about 4 weeks in to my first "flip" and have trying to think of an end of the year project for the students…I think this may be the perfect thing. Thanks for the great idea, and keep up the good work!
I love the flipped classroom model. Where I work, in Dubai, we've been doing quite a bit with it.
Currently we use blogs to host video lessons and link to classwork and homework. It's something that grew organically over the past couple years, but the students really seem to take to it. Ever since we changed into a 1-to1 eLearning school, with all students being given laptops, we've needed to find better ways to engage students in learning, and the flipped classroom model really does show results.
Currently we have staff and students creating resources, and it really engages all parties.
Some examples of students creating lesson videos –
<a href="http://athsaags.blogspot.com)Al Ain Girls School</a> (ICT oriented videos)
<a href="http://athspodcasts.blogspot.com/search/label/Student%20Tech%20Support")Student Tech Support</a> (Students helping students learn to use their laptops)
And teacher created lesson videos –
<a href="http://iatplatoshowcase.blogspot.com">IAT PLATO Showcase</a> (A video development site for faculty)
<a href="http://athsdubai.blogspot.com">ATHS Dubai</a> (The hub of my school's open learning network)
Sorry about the mess of links… guess my html must be rusty!