“In learning you will teach, and in teaching you will learn.” – Phil Collins

(Bobby & Bobby, 2020)

The innovation project I decided upon was implementing the blended learning (BL) model of a flipped classroom.  My PLC, the Algebra I team, agreed to help me implement my plan.  We tackled it as a team.  We were able to delegate the work between all of us.  We had video lessons for most of the topics covered in class, with an expectation of a few pivotal lessons that were best taught differently than an online lesson. We could utilize precious class time for small group rotations and one-on-one help. I was fortunate enough to have a co-teacher with me in my four classes I was using the flipped instructional model.  It afforded us time to intervene when learners were struggling.  Learners excelling were given opportunities for enrichment and challenge with the concepts. It was awesome to see the learners working through the content at a pace that was their own.  The only firm deadlines that the learners were given were assessments (i.e., quizzes and end-of-unit tests).  

My biggest takeaway from implementing a flipped classroom is that I still have much to learn as an educator.  Some may see that as a failure. It is a challenge to keep pushing myself and my learners.  As I continue to learn and improve my practices, I know my learners will experience struggle and success along with me. In reflecting on the day-to-day challenges, there were many to address. I chose two areas to focus on this coming school year. The first is holding my learners to a clear standard of accountability. I also need to adjust my role to more of a learning facilitator.  These goals go hand in hand when I think about how to adjust to accomplish them. 

Learner accountability is something I have found to be lacking in my classroom, especially in the last three years. I did not do a good job of clearly addressing the expectations of the learning process in a flipped classroom. I am in the process of developing visuals and resources for learners to use. Using these resources and visual aid from the beginning, it will be clear to the learners how to use the recorded lesson videos and online practice. I mean to address misconceptions early. The importance of doing this at the beginning is not lost on me. I am excited to see how this will impact my students’ learning.

The other strategy I regretfully did not utilize more frequently was the opportunity for self-evaluation and reflection. I had more time to converse with my learners throughout their completion of a unit and assess them through verbal explanations. I missed numerous opportunities to involve the learners in the evaluation. There are so many ways to offer this to our learners. I look forward to finding innovative ways to engage my learners in the assessment step in their education. Giving this responsibility to my students will help me move toward the role of a coach in the classroom. I am optimistic that I can use the reflections as a way to get my learners to write about their learning.  Being able to explain a concept is integral to the learning process. I have avoided this in the past because there was never enough time.  I have learned that I cannot afford NOT to have my learners writing. 

A child without education is like a bird without wings.” – Tibetan Proverb

(30 Education Quotes That Show Why Education Is Important, 2023)

This upcoming school year has challenged me with a new course.  A course that is offered for both high school and college credit.  With my last assignments in the ADL program, I must complete 60 hours of training to prepare for implementing the content for this new course.  To a non-educator, this may sound unreasonable as an activity for a summer break.  For myself, I am almost giddy about the challenge.  I will be facilitating an inquiry-based learning model. This training will prepare me to teach a rigorous college-level course and teach me strategies, and best practices I can use in any other classes I teach. I am only about 20 hours into the training, and giving control to my learners will be less of an obstacle than it was for me last year.  I will focus on finding other professional learning that will help me with the adjustments I need to make in implementing a flipped classroom.

I have been working on designing a PL opportunity to offer my math department in the fall.  The learning outcome of my PL is for my learners to implement a blended learning model of their choice during a unit within a course they teach.  I have looked for any possibility of talking to colleagues about my experiences with implementing a flipped classroom.  My enthusiasm for the knowledge I have gained over this last year has been hard to contain.  I am anxious to mentor those looking to give their learners all the benefits of using blended learning instructional models. Sharing my experiences will be my best recruiting method. 

My first to-do item in preparation for the next school year is to develop resources to help introduce and transition my learners to this innovative learning approach.  This will include infographics displayed in the classroom and online as a reminder when at home. I will also plan for more opportunities for guided discussions and self-assessment opportunities. I want my learners to know the possible growth with just the simple acts of talking or writing about their understanding or confusion of a concept. The impact of just these three goals can substantially increase my learners’ growth.   

The act of research was something that intimidated me.  My opportunities to do a lot of research in this program have eased my anxieties. Looking to the relevant literature to gauge a research question or hypothesis is imperative in the future. This is how we determine the merit and relativity of a question that an educator intends to find an answer to. I am also not afraid that a question might not be what I need to ask.  Failure is a wonderful teacher. I am looking forward to future challenges and navigating the rocky road to find success.  I know those challenges are how learner grows.  Growth and understanding are lifelong pursuits for learners.  I want to inspire just one of my learners to put forth the effort to pursue their passions. 

As I reach the end of my time as a graduate student, I am thinking to my next innovation project. Just a year ago, I was filled with self-doubt and anxiety when I was contemplated tackling all the steps to planning and implementing my project. The knowledge I have gained through this last year has prepared me for what I will need to undertake in the research and development of any project I wish to tackle. I feel confident in my abilities to communicate and promote my future endeavors to my stakeholders and community. The opportunity to continue my journey as a lifelong learner is a blessing. I am excited to hone my practices as an educator. When that passion for learning begins to dwindle is when I need to hang up my teacher hat. I hope I only see that day when I can enjoy my retirement.

“Education is the vaccine of violence.” —Edward James Olmos

(30 Education Quotes That Show Why Education Is Important, 2023)

References

30 education quotes that show why education is important. (2023). Canva. Retrieved July 8, 2023, from https://www.canva.com/learn/25-quotes-show-education-important/

Bobby, & Bobby. (2020). Inspirational Learning and Training Quotes | SkyPrep. SkyPrep LMS. https://skyprep.com/2013/07/29/15-inspiration-learning-and-training-quotes/

Modern Classrooms Project – Free blended, self-paced, mastery-based PD, built by teachers. (n.d.). Modern Classrooms Project. https://www.modernclassrooms.org/

OnRamps. (2023, July 6). OnRamps at the University of Texas at Austin. https://onramps.utexas.edu/

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