Flipped classroom learning is a great way to integrate more technology into your teaching. Students learn the main content of the lesson outside of class; then they come to class for practice, feedback and assessment. (Read this article to stir your thinking about other ways this teaching approach could work in an ESL class.)
Here's an activity you can use to try the flipped classroom approach. It is designed for an intermediate to advanced grammar course, but you can certainly modify it to fit other classes.
Technology needed: Computer with Internet access, student smart phones (for video, sound recording and photos), Facebook account and group page (optional)
For out-of-class learning, assign students the following tasks:
1. Read through the PowerPoint presentation (or watch a video presentation) of the lesson. Study the material on your own so that you understand it. Bring your questions to class so we can review them together. (Teachers, you can make your own instructional video, find a YouTube video, or try something like Azar's PowerPoint presentations.)
2. Find real-world examples of the grammar structure and record it using your smart phone. (If students do not have a smart phone, they can pair up to use the technology, but they need to capture a separate example for each student.)
For in-class practice, do the following activity:
1. Share your real-world examples with a partner. (Or review them on the Facebook page as a class.)
2. In pairs, write a dialog using the grammar structure. You can choose any topic related to the real-world examples you found out of class. (writing)
3. Share the dialogs with the class. (speaking)
This activity gives the students more responsibility to study the lesson and learn on their own, which can be challenging for some students to get used to doing. However, it also encourages collaboration with other students; applies real-world English using all four skills; motivates students with current technology use; and creates more time in-class for follow-up, practice and assessment with your students.
What other ways have you tried the flipped classroom approach? How has it worked for you and your students?
Here's an activity you can use to try the flipped classroom approach. It is designed for an intermediate to advanced grammar course, but you can certainly modify it to fit other classes.
Technology needed: Computer with Internet access, student smart phones (for video, sound recording and photos), Facebook account and group page (optional)
For out-of-class learning, assign students the following tasks:
1. Read through the PowerPoint presentation (or watch a video presentation) of the lesson. Study the material on your own so that you understand it. Bring your questions to class so we can review them together. (Teachers, you can make your own instructional video, find a YouTube video, or try something like Azar's PowerPoint presentations.)
2. Find real-world examples of the grammar structure and record it using your smart phone. (If students do not have a smart phone, they can pair up to use the technology, but they need to capture a separate example for each student.)
- Take a picture of the grammar point - a sign, a news headline or article, a menu, etc. (reading)
- Record an audio or video example of the grammar point from a conversation, a movie/TV show, or some other source. (listening)
- Record an audio example of an original sentence that you created using the grammar point. (speaking)
- (optional assignment) Post these examples to the class blog/Facebook group.
For in-class practice, do the following activity:
1. Share your real-world examples with a partner. (Or review them on the Facebook page as a class.)
2. In pairs, write a dialog using the grammar structure. You can choose any topic related to the real-world examples you found out of class. (writing)
3. Share the dialogs with the class. (speaking)
This activity gives the students more responsibility to study the lesson and learn on their own, which can be challenging for some students to get used to doing. However, it also encourages collaboration with other students; applies real-world English using all four skills; motivates students with current technology use; and creates more time in-class for follow-up, practice and assessment with your students.
What other ways have you tried the flipped classroom approach? How has it worked for you and your students?