Week 4 - Old School Taught Student Learning New School Techniques

This week an old school taught student is learning new school teaching techniques.  When I think of my education and my teachers, I remember the teacher at the front of the classroom lecturing to us and writing on the blackboard.  We did worksheets in class and as homework.  We read our textbooks and shared what we learned in class - hoping it was the correct answer.  There was no discussion between students exchanging ideas unless it was on a science project.  It was memorization and short term memory for testing.  Today I am learning and seeing, through my sons, new teaching techniques.  First, students today have some type of device whether a chromebook or tablet.  The students can instantly share homework and ideas related to their learning topic.  The notes from class are saved, which are from the students and the teacher.  The class is more interactive as the teacher can show different topic examples through the use of You Tube videos.  I also see the students preparing for the next day's lesson so the teacher isn't lecturing on the topic but providing real opportunities for the student's to learn from each other.  I see the more interactive techniques being used at the middle school and high school levels.  The elementary school seems to be transitioning to a more interactive way of teaching.  In addition, as veteran teachers retire this makes the way for the rookie teacher to change the teaching perspective and bring in fresh new ideas.  Last year, my youngest was in 5th grade and he had a 20 year plus veteran teacher that was wonderful.  She was teaching along with a first year teacher and a second year teacher.  My son experienced a blending of the old and new technique.  It was interesting to observe and hear his thoughts on what he liked and disliked.  As a parent, I observed worksheets that my oldest used 5 years ago when he was in 5th grade.  I thought how has the curriculum or technique not changed over 5 years!  Why is this the same exact worksheet?  For other topics, like science, there was a new approach leveraging the school/community garden related to insects and growing.  The students worked in groups, learning from each other and doing research online where the students decided how to divide the tasks.  They were able to work in a shared online environment.  My son enjoyed that type of work and craved the more interactive learning.  He has combined ADHD where he needs movement where sitting and listening to lectures does not work well for him.  While I know this as a parent, I still get frustrated with him when he can't sit still to do his homework.  It comes from that old school mentality I have of teaching and learning. 

The concept of a flipped classroom makes complete sense to me but is also daunting to me.  I know I have to get more up-to-date on how to leverage the various technology tools available for teachers to enhance the teaching/learning experience.  I look forward to the challenge and am constantly thinking how I can develop a lesson using the techniques I am learning in this class.  Upon reading the articles on flipped classrooms, I realized I unknowingly was using a few techniques such as giving the scouts scenarios and probing my small group for solutions or an exchange of ideas and perspectives.  I worked more with scouts that needed more assistance with a particular topic of personal finance.  The concepts of a flipped classroom make sense where you have the students prepare for the lesson and have the teacher and students exchange ideas and work in groups together.  I like the idea of homework in class so the students can work with one another and tutor each other.  It allows the teacher to walk and observe to not only understand which students need more assistance but also to get know the students and hear their ideas.  Flipping the classroom brings all levels of students together encouraging growth and ideas.  I look forward to the challenge but acknowledge it will be a learning curve and I must be patient with myself.