2017 STARTALK Fall Conference
UNDERSTANDING THE
FLIPPED FORMAT
National Heritage Language Resource Center
Maria Carreira, Claire Hitchins Chik, and Kathryn Paul
• Principle: Implementing a Standards-Based and Thematically Organized Curriculum
• Why? Benefits of the flipped format for enriching teaching and learning
• What? Developed an online component
• How? Integrated the online component as a pre-face-to-face requirement
WHY THIS SESSION?
SESSION OUTCOMES
• I can understand the key considerations and steps involved in implementing an effective flipped format with online instruction that is completed prior to the face-to-face component.
• I can use blended instruction in the flipped format to give teachers more hands-on practice with the material or for other uses.
• I can apply the principles of blended instruction to reach teachers with different levels of expertise and experience.
DEFINITIONS OF TERMS
• Flipped format:
An instructional strategy that reverses the traditional learning environment by delivering instructional content, often online, outside of the classroom. It moves activities, including those that may have traditionally been considered homework, into the classroom.
• Blended/hybrid format:
An educational format in which face-to-face classroom practices are combined with computer-mediated activities.
(adapted from Wikipedia)
OUR ONLINE MODULES
Original Purpose:
Addressing a general need to train teachers on HL pedagogy;
more teachers apply to Summer STARTALK workshop than places
Teaching Heritage Languages
• 5 Modules, each with several lessons broken into sub-components
• Asynchronous; instructor feedback on final lesson assignments
• Awards badges & certificate
Teaching Heritage Languages
• Module I : Key Concepts and Pedagogical Approaches in Heritage Language Teaching
• Module II: Understanding and Meeting the Language Needs of Heritage Language Learners
• Module III: Differentiated Instruction: Responding to the Needs of Individual Learners
• Module IV: Strategies for Teaching Mixed Classes
• Module V: Tying it all together: Principles of Project-Based Learning
OUR ONLINE MODULES
Original Purpose:
Addressing a general need to train teachers on HL pedagogy;
more teachers apply to Summer STARTALK workshop than places
Subsequent Purpose:
Summer STARTALK workshop: not enough time during one-week workshop
PRACTICAL PROBLEM
Lots of ground to cover and not enough time:
HL teaching + differentiation + PBL
All new competencies for teachers
Teaching Heritage Languages
• Module I : Key Concepts and Pedagogical Approaches in Heritage Language Teaching
• Module II: Understanding and Meeting the Language Needs of Heritage Language Learners
• Module III: Differentiated Instruction: Responding to the Needs of Individual Learners
• Module IV: Strategies for Teaching Mixed Classes
• Module V: Tying it all together: Principles of Project-Based Learning
SOLUTION: USING THE MODULES IN A FLIPPED
FORMAT
Having identified the problem, how does the flipped format and online component offer a solution?
– Concepts introduced online
– Thereby freeing up face-to-face time to get hands-on practice with the principles and apply them to their project
Teaching Heritage Languages
• Module I : Key Concepts and Pedagogical Approaches in Heritage Language Teaching
• Module II: Understanding and Meeting the Language Needs of Heritage Language Learners
• Module III: Differentiated Instruction: Responding to the Needs of Individual Learners
• Module IV: Strategies for Teaching Mixed Classes
• Module V: Tying it all together: Principles of Project-Based Learning
ACTIVITY 1: Identifying the Problem
What is the improvement you are trying to bring about or the problem you are trying to solve?
Take a few moments to think about the question, and then explain it to your group.
ACTIVITY 1: Identifying the Problem
• Differentiating instruction for participants at different levels and with different needs;
• Ensuring that participants have the skills they need to work during the face-to-face workshop;
ACTIVITY 2
Make a list of the components of your workshop. Which of these are best accomplished in a face-to-face environment and which of them can be done well in an online environment? Explain why.
Teaching Heritage Languages
• Module I : Key Concepts and Pedagogical Approaches in Heritage Language Teaching
• Module II: Understanding and Meeting the Language Needs of Heritage Language Learners
• Module III: Differentiated Instruction: Responding to the Needs of Individual Learners
• Module IV: Strategies for Teaching Mixed Classes
• Module V: Tying it all together: Principles of Project-Based Learning
ACTIVITY 2
• Online and face-to-face should not be identical, but they should be connected and reinforce each other;
• Take advantage of existing resources (e.g. STARTALK videos);
• Engage participants in creating something (a teaching unit) ahead of time that they can work with during the course of the week;
DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION
LESSONS LEARNED: MAKING THE MOST OF
THE FLIPPED FORMAT
• Key decisions?
• Delivery platform; Content development; Content delivery; Users’ interaction with instructors; Define your audience
• Think very carefully before making key decisions, because they influence all outcomes
LESSONS LEARNED: MAKING THE MOST OF
THE FLIPPED FORMAT
• Tip 1: Take time to learn about theories of online ed
• Tip 2: For content, you need more than an outline
• Tip 3: Leave time for updating and piloting
• Tip 4: Be flexible: Keep the goal in mind and not the “style”
• Tip 5: Get to know your platform very well
ORGANIZATION
LESSONS LEARNED: ORGANIZATION
• Tip 6: Choose a platform that will be sustainable
• Tip 7: Need to know your budget
• Tip 8: Assign a project manager
• Tip 9: Put together a team with well-defined roles
• Tip 10: Consider additional contributors
Activity: Write down your team members and their roles.
CHALLENGES
• How much support do you have from your institution?
• What info do you need to design a project that fits your budget?
• Defining the scope of project (MA? Certificate?) and exploring additional uses
• Planning for sustainability (e.g. updating content, adding material, etc.)
Summary
• Start with a problem
• How can the flipped format help you address this problem?
• Learn about implementation issues
• Consider organizational issues
BENEFITS FOR PARTICIPANTS
• Differentiated delivery of content
• Arrive at face-to-face meeting with deep/broad understanding of key concepts and ready to apply them
• High standard of final projects
CONCLUSION
• It’s hard work but worth it!
• Further questions?