Article: Flipping the Classroom
Available: www.economist.com/node/21529062
"Good teaching is the single biggest variable in educating pupils, bigger than class size, family background, or school funding" says Eric Hanushek an education expert at Stanford University's Hoover Institution. Although many people would agree with this, it is being question whether or not these teachers can be replaced by good technology. This article, featured in the Economist on September 17th, spotlights an online learning concept called KahnAcademy. The teacher featured in this article, Ms. Cadwell states that "the growth in these kids is just staggering... this is the future. I don't see how it couldn't be". The teaching method of KahnAcademiy is called flipping - meaning a reversal in teaching methods with lecturing done outside of class time and tutoring (or homework) done during class time. The teacher present in the classroom is able to monitor the kids on her own computer and intervene at the exact moment when she feels kids need her help. The idea is amazing and truly seems it could be the way of the future. There is of course criticism that this method of teaching focuses on more rote, repetitious learning rather than fostering inquiry and creativity in the students. For now it seems to be a tool that would be engaging and exciting to try alongside other teaching methods.
Author Unknown (September 17, 2011). Flipping the Classroom: Hopes that the Internet can Improve Teaching May at Last be Bearing Fruit. Retrieved from: www.economist.com/node/21529062
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