Getting Started: 10 Tools to Flip Your Classroom

In my continuous research on flipped classrooms primarily for higher education contexts (and K-12 too), I frequently encounter Web-based tools and mobile apps that tend to focus on screencasting or video recording tools.  This is somewhat of a double-edged sword because flipped classroom/learning discussions frequently emphasizes the use or viewing of online video content outside of class, but on the other hand the flipped classroom/learning is really not about the video; it's about this question: what is the best use of class time?

In any case, I thought it would be more helpful to organize flipped classroom tools and resources into categories aligned to the flipped classroom planning process; not just video creation and editing tools.  

Common Myths About the Flipped Classroom...My Two Cents

The flipped classroom, as with any disruptive innovation in education, has naturally become surrounded by myths based on conceptual misunderstandings, fear of change, and experiences or observations yielding undesirable results in student learning.  In this post, I want to share a number common myths about the flipped classroom based on my experience flipping lessons in higher education, discussions with faculty members who are interested in flipping lessons as well faculty who have had "less than desirable" experiences in attempts to flip a lesson, and through my continued research on the flipped classroom.  Additionally, I plan to identify truths about, or debunk, each myth.  Check out this video if you want a quick review of what the flipped classroom is.

To kick things off, I will identify common statements or thoughts about flipped classrooms/learning through a series of opinion polls.  Are these statements "true" or "false?"  Tell us what you think by following the instructions below.

Instructions

1. On each page, including this one, you will be presented with a True or False statement.  There are 6 statements total.
2. Select your True or False response, or view others' responses to the given statement.  There is no need to worry, there is no record of who answered any given question.  Answer honestly.
3. After submitting (voting) your response, move to the next poll statement by clicking on the NEXT STATEMENT link located below each opinion poll.  This will take you to the next poll in the series.
4. At the end of the poll series, click the FINISHED link to be presented with specific myths about the flipped classroom along with their truths intended to debunk the respected myth.

NEXT STATEMENT >>

Blogger Tip #1: Enhance the Commenting System

The commenting system of any blog is a core element in connecting and engaging with your audience.  Commenting and feedback platforms have evolved quite significantly; from old school guestbooks and feedback forums to native platform-dependent commenting systems and 3rd party commenting systems that function cross-platform regardless of what programming language your website is based on.

Today's 3rd party commenting systems do more than simply allow readers to post a comment.  Most systems support comprehensive features such as spam control, comment moderation, whitelist and blacklist management, social media integration, email notifications, and much more.

In this article, I want to bring you awareness