Solving the Challenges of Moving from Passive to Active Learning

-Errol St.Clair Smith-

If you’ve been in a flipped classroom for 10 minutes, you can likely list 10 challenges that every Flipped Learning educator will have to face. Some are minor hurdles like explaining to students why your class is going to be different this year. Others require some intermediate heavy lifting, like finding the time and tools to flip more lessons. Then there are the “big ugly” challenges, like managing flipped lessons that go up in smoke and dealing with the alarm bells these dumpster fires can trigger with parents and administrators.

The February issue of FLR is all about solving the challenges educators face in moving from passive to active learning. You’ve personally met some of these menaces in your flipped classroom. Others you’ve heard about from educators who chose the same path.

We hope this month’s features validate the solutions you’ve already found, introduce you to more alternatives, or point you in the direction of new possibilities.

Dan Jones leads the way with his piece on Finding the Time to Flip Your Class. Dan starts by sharing his personal experiences with “time poverty” but ends by pointing to a roadmap you can use to find your way around the “no-time” barriers to effective Flipped Learning.

Dr. Thomas Mennella looks at the challenges of moving from passive to active learning through a higher education lens. Join Tom as he walks university professors through the essential first three steps in Preparing to Effectively Flip. You’ll also want to read his guide for control freaks –Letting Go: Shifting Your Attention from Teaching to Learning.

Terra Graves continues her ongoing series as she walks us through her step-by-step evolution from teacher to administrator. Terra’s Roadmap for New Administrators identifies the Global Elements of Effective Flipped Learning she’s applying in a context that isn’t focused on Flipped Learning. Her February piece underscores why we should probably change the name of the GEEFL to the GEEL, the Global Elements of Effective Flipped Learning.

Other Featured  Stories

Other pieces you’ll want to read before you head off to destinations unknown are:

Book Review: My Bad 24 Teachers Who Messed Up, Fessed Up And Grew!

5 Signs That Tell You Your Classroom Is Working

Top 10 Must Read Research Papers in February

So What? How Will This Help Me Teach Better Today?

The Cover Story: Overcoming the Biggest Barrier to Flipped Learning

UNward!

E.