flipped learning

Last year I moved from public school to teach at a private high school in Houston. This also meant using a flipped learning model in both my Algebra 1 and Geometry classes. Making videos was not new to me, but using the videos as my primary instruction was. I used someone else's videos for my Geometry class and made my own for Algebra. I did a lot of things wrong and learned some things along the way. ​I have learned:

• making videos can be very time consuming
• videos should be short (3 - 8 minutes)
• you need to have a way to monitor if students watch the videos
• students need to be taught how to take notes from the video
• videos are best broken up by content and not by section of the book
• make the videos appealing to students (ex: have a student create a sweet intro for you)

My school brought in Jon Bergmann who has been the pioneer of flipped learning to speak about best practices and how to implement this model in our classrooms. Most of the things listed above were things I learned from him and also experienced first hand in my classroom. I have attempted to improve my model this year and am pleased with how I have done so thus far. Though it still has much room for improvement. The most difficult part so far has still been making sure students are watching the video (I use Edpuzzle for this) but also taking GREAT notes so that they are useful when the students are working on their assignment. 

My main goal this year has been to create all new videos for both Algebra and Geometry that are shorter and very clear instructionally. Once I have this established, I will be able to move forward in improving my model and how I use it in my classroom. 

Great teachers aren't born, but instead are committed to growing every year even when that means doing something new instead of what has always been done.

This is year 9 of teaching for me and I would love it if I could just pull up last years assignments and upload them to the "2018 - 2019" folder. But I am committed to being a great teacher and also to growing. I don't love spending longer hours at work or extra time at home to make these videos, but I'll do what's necessary for my students to get the best education possible. 

Be great. Kids deserve it.

**Also, if you would like to see my videos, they are all on my YouTube channel**