No to Flipped Learning

With the integration of technologies into K-12 and college classrooms, Stanford researchers at the Graduate School of Education warn us that while the idea of Flipped Classrooms is gaining momentum, it’s important to continue with hands-on learning. Exploration should, according to the research, come before reading a text or watching a video rather than, as in flipped classrooms, after.  In the Stanford study, students were much better able to understand what they were learning if they had the opportunity to explore on their own. Paulo Blikstein, the assistant professor of Education who directed the research, commented, “In this study, we are showing that research in education is useful because sometimes our intuitions about ‘what works’ are simply dead wrong.”

iCreate to Educate with myCreate

With myCreate ($4.99), your students can get started designing their own video stories on their iPads. They’ll put their iPad camera to use and play back pictures in stop-motion animation.  After adding audio to go with their story, they can send their completed product to Facebook, YouTube, or Vimeo.  myCreate is a perfect hands-on tool to enhance curricular content for just about any subject. Watch myCreate on YouTube; it will make you want to download it right away.

Looking for Inquiry-Based Science?

Delta Education has announced the third edition of FOSS (Full Option Science System). This is a learn-by-doing curriculum for elementary school students, which stresses discovery through active learning. FOSS helps students think independently and develop skills for moving ahead in the STEM subjects. On the FOSS website,  students have access to FOSS digital resources including enrichment and virtual investigations, teachers find the support they need, and families enjoy getting involved with their children’s learning experiences.