New
Methodology
Recent
advances in technology and in ideology have unlocked entirely new directions
for education methodology. Mounting pressure from increasing tuition costs and
free, online course offerings and new EdTech is opening discussion and
catalyzing change in the physical classroom.
The flipped classroom is at
the center of this discussion. 
The flipped
classroom is a new educational method, which employs video lectures and
practice problems as homework, and active, group-based problem solving
activities in the classroom to enhance student understanding. This method is
trying to depart from orthodox scenes that by far were and still are too
familiar in today’s schools, as the traditional model of learning which
primarily revolves around a teacher-centered classroom. Though effective for
some, this type of instruction has forced students to be merely “receptors of
information”, rather than participants in their own learning processes through
active learning.
Fortunately,
as technology has increasingly grown and infiltrated our classrooms, this new
learning model is moving away from a “teacher-centered space”, and on to a more
collaborative, student-centered learning environment.
The main
goal is to enhance student learning process by reversing the traditional model and
focusing class time on student understanding rather than on lectures. To
accomplish this, teachers post short video lectures online for students to view
at home prior to the next class session. This allows class time to be devoted
to expanding on and mastering the material through collaborative learning
exercises, projects, and discussions. Essentially, the homework that is
typically done at home is done in the classroom, while the lectures that are
usually done in the classroom are viewed at home.
True
Essence of Teaching
This
methodological change has given birth to the true essence of teaching. Now teachers
have the real tech tools at their disposal to form the proper roadmap for their
beloved students. Now they are really able to interact with young people and
how they will contribute for their progress, that’s the goal! Instead of just
lecturing in the classroom, teachers as facilitators of learning, will provide
the students with the information and tools they need to master a subject. Then
also there is the role of counseling: a surrogate parent, a nutritionist and
someone who has the best interests of every child at heart. At times, teachers
act like tutors, working with small groups of students or individual students
within the classroom or after class. Teachers also play the role of evaluators,
constantly assessing students' abilities through formal and informal
assessments, providing suggestions for improvement and assigning grades. This
load of genuine leadership role was not possible or at least was not as effective
as they should be with the teachers’ load of work at teacher-centered classrooms.
Conclusion
Reinventing
the role of teachers inside and outside the classroom can result in
significantly better schools and better-educated students. But though the roots
of such improvement are taking hold in today's schools, they need continued
nurturing to grow and truly transform educational system landscape. The
educational technology should empower this approach and for the rest of us –
parents, tech users and tech providers –we must also be willing to rethink our
roles in education to give teachers the support, freedom, and trust they need
to do the essential job of educating our children.
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