My Flipped Classroom Progress... Week 5 EDLD 5326

In regards to my action research project, I am underway with my plan. My project was going to be to implement a flipped math classroom two times per week. Since my teaching assignment changed, I am now implementing one lesson per week in my reading and language arts classroom. I sorted through different assessments and decided to use Istation to assess the students. Istation will give a summary by skill and by student. It is broken down into fluency, phonemic awareness, spelling, and comprehension. I have given the initial assessments, and now I am collecting the data on my students. Currently, I am in the process of sorting through the data, and analyzing what the student’s strengths and weakness are. I feel I am on track and in a good place on the research project. I have created three reading lessons so far, where I am teaching metacognition strategies. I have spent a lot of time working with other teachers on my grade level team to seek input, and have asked them assess my lessons, and give suggestions for improvement.  My goal is for the students to watch the first lesson by the end of October. I will then compare assessment data of students who received the lesson in the classroom, rather than at home. I plan to do this throughout the year, so I can measure the success of a flipped classroom.  So far, I have completed about 35-40 hours on implementing this project. This includes, preparing the assessments, giving the assessments, collecting and analyzing data, and creating the lessons.

Class Reflection

I cannot believe it has already been 5 weeks! I have learned so much in this class, and I have developed a newfound passion of action research! I have enjoyed all the lectures, but I really enjoyed learning about the action research purpose and its effectiveness. The text chosen from the course, Leading with Passion and Knowledge , by Nancy Fichtman Dana, was enlightening. I really enjoyed learning about The Passions that drive your journey. Chapter two described finding a wondering, which unlocks inquiries that you are interested in and passionate about. I realized how much I enjoy implementing technology in the classroom, which led to me researching technology topics. After collaborating on the discussion board and other classmates’ blogs, I narrowed my topic to researching the flipped classroom method. Through my research I found so many wonderful resources. I also enjoyed creating our blogs. This cohort has worked so well together, I love the creation of a Facebook page. We would talk throughout the week and would help each other with questions or challenges. I thought that we assisted in each other and fed off of each other. I loved going through the blogs and hearing about what others plan to do their research on. To me, the blogs made the class smaller, I felt they I wasn’t alone on this journey.

I thought the web conferences were great, It was a time to ask questions, and to get direct feedback. I felt connected, and when  I couldn’t attend the web conferences, I would go back and watch them during any free time. Technology helped us stay together in this course. With that said, I think the discussion board was the most valuable resource. I enjoyed reading comments from my classmates, and I took their feedback into consideration.

Overall, I enjoyed this class, I enjoyed the collaboration with others. I look forward to moving on to my next course. With each completed course, I am adding to my learning, and I am looking forward to being a school leader even more. This course gave me the knowledge to make a change within my school and feel confident in doing so.

 

Action Research Plan and Week 3 Reflection

Action Planning Template
Goal: How can implementing a flipped classroom increase student achievement and engagement in the elementary classroom?
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
Research and evaluate information on flipped classrooms at the elementary level	Debbie Wolff	Present 07/12- 08/20/12 Currently am researching various information on flipped classrooms, created pinterest board and joined “flipped classroom Network”	Created a pinterest board for flipped classrooms: Brianbennett.org Edudemic.org Edweek.com Knewton.com Flippedclassroom.org Flippedclassroom.com Youtube.com	Learn about the flipped classroom model; apply information to an elementary classroom. Watch various flipped recordings on different topics to gain an understanding about utilizing a flipped classroom.
Decide which days and lessons will be flipped lessons. I am planning to flip the lesson, not the entire class due to the elementary age and level of engagement.  Record actual lesson via flip camera or webcam	Debbie Wolff	8/30/12-6/5/2013	Brianbennett.org Edudemic.org Edweek.com Knewton.com Flippedclassroom.org Flippedclassroom.com Youtube.com Flip camera Web cam	Talk to other 3rd grade teachers, I want to introduce a topic using the flipped model. Have students and parents share their feedback on my website.
Choose 4 students at random from my math flipped classroom and 4 students from another 3rd grade general ed classroom. Assess their knowledge and understanding in a particular math topic. I want to compare and contrast their strengths and weaknesses.	Debbie Wolff	10/15/2012-1/15/2013	Irving ISD teks check and other formal district assessments, which will be documented at a later time.	Analyze overall scores for specific content, which was flipped and also compare similar content, which was taught as teacher led whole group.
Survey students in my flipped math classroom, on the following: Has watching a video before class helped them understand a math topic? Do they typically watch the video at home or at school? Would they prefer to work as a class to learn the lesson or on the computer?	Debbie Wolff	11/14/2012-3/15/2013	Survey monkey	Analyze data and compare to student testing data to rate effectiveness

Week 2 Reflection- I have a plan!

This week was fantastic! I really enjoyed the readings and watching the videos.  I gained wonderful insight to what is important as an educational leader. As a principal, you are not simply managing a school. A great leader motivates the teachers, and students. A great leader recognizes that people are what makes a place great. School culture and a positive school climate is important to hiring and retaining your staff. I learned that you have to be a great listener, and also a knowledgeable decision-maker. 

Best of all this week, I finally decided what I am going to be doing my action researchh on... drum roll please...

How can implementing a flipped classroom increase student achievement in my elementary classroom?


I choose this topic to research because this encompasses everything I am passionate about. I love technology, I have a interest in using social media tools in the classroom, and I want to use project-based learning in the classroom. Implementing a flipped classroom will allow me to do this, and do this effectively and efficiently!

How leaders can use blogs

Blogging is the new age of emailing, but better!  Blogs create a virtual place for people to come together and communicate! We learn from one another, and we can now collaborate from anywhere in the world, or from the comfort of our home. In the classroom, we use blogs to communicate with parents and students. Leaders can use blogs to interact with parents and the community. It is a way to have open communication by posting "What's happening in school". Principals can use blogs to post newsletters, and to reach a large audience. We know that not one person has the all the answers. Blogs provide a interactive communication tool where others can give or seek advice or answers. It is a place where information is given with a simple click of a mouse! Ready, set, blog!

What I have learned about Action Research

So far, I have learned so much about action research and how it will help me to be a better leader. Action research is a systematic process of studying one's own practices reflectively. This is done by thinking about your self as a teacher and leader, and assessing your ability. Action research involves questioning, and reflecting on what you are doing, and it results in change. It involves taking a closer look around, and then working collaboratively towards a common goal. It creates a climate of shared leadership and builds a positive culture within the a school. Everyone is working towards improving student achievement. 


Action research can be applied to a variety of topics in the the educational world. A great way to get started, it to implement PLC's where data is discussed and a problem can be identified. Its about taking steps to identify a wondering or an issue, collecting data, and interpretation of the data. According to the data, a plan of action is created, and then a change is implemented. Action research is a personalized approach for schools, because it is done in the school or classroom. I have reflected on what I have learned, and see how I will use action research in my classroom. I plan to investigate project based learning with the use of technology. I want to see if students are more engaged. When students are engaged, they are learning, and there are minimal interruptions or discipline problems because the kids are having fun! Isn't that what learning should be about? My goal is to keep learning fun and interesting, we as teachers are life-long learners, I want to instill those values in my students. 



Dana Fichman, Nancy (2009). Leading With Passion and Knowledge: The Principal as Action Researcher. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.