Flipped learning, while not a brand-new concept, is a classroom model which is undoubtedly growing in popularity within education – perhaps due to necessary adaptations since the pandemic, or possibly because of a change in learner styles and preferences. In this blog, we’re going to explore some of the key tools and apps that can enable teachers to make the most of flipped learning.
If you’d like some more background on flipped learning, we’d recommend heading back to the first blog in this mini-series which gives an overview of this innovative model. Otherwise, read on for some of our favourite tools and tips…
A flipped classroom often involves the use of audio, videos, or slideshow-related materials to support teaching and learning, so reliable video editing and screen recording tools can be a big benefit to educators. There are several tools out there suitable for different classrooms and applications, such as those for screen casting and audio/video creation. It’s best to find the right one to suit your needs. To help you get started, we’ve listed a few of the best which cover a range of functions:
- EdPuzzle: This app is home to a shared library of quality video lessons which offer interactive features such as audio notes and comments. It’s a great way for teachers to keep track of which video content each student has covered, as a proxy for how far along they are within a certain subject. This is especially important in a flipped setting, where teachers must be extra vigilant in ensuring student comprehension and confidence.
- NearPod: Nearpod is an app that helps you create high quality, educational video content for your students based on existing slideshows and presentations. It supports interactive elements within its videos including polls, quiz exercises and real-time activities. This means it’s a great option for the in-classroom side of a flipped model, where student engagement and involvement are key. Upload your own resources (PowerPoints, Google Slides, PDFs, videos) or choose from premade templates to help you get started.
- Khan Academy: This non-profit video app offers over 3000 free lecture videos on various subjects for easy access by anyone, anywhere. As a teacher, you can create a classroom for your students on the app and share relevant videos with them. This is an effective way to prepare a clear and concise topical introduction. You can also keep tabs on their progress as they take each lesson, to ensure students are staying on top of their tasks.
- ActivInspire Screen Recorder: Promethean’s ActivInspire Screen Recorder is a function within ActivInspire that helps teachers easily create dynamic and engaging video lessons. The app can be used to record lessons which can then be exported as video files and uploaded to the school’s preferred platform to be accessed by any student at any time. This can be especially helpful if students are familiar with learning through ActivInspire or other apps on the ActivPanel to create flipped resources that students can quickly adapt to.
Flipped learning can help to improve self-directed learning and increase quality student-teacher interaction, but can require a different form of lesson planning than teachers may be used to. We hope that making use of some of these tools mentioned in this blog will help you to make a start in your own flipped learning journey.
The third and final part of this flipped-learning mini-series is coming up soon, and it will explore different methods within the flipped learning model. Keep a close eye on Resource Hub so you don’t miss it!