Flipped Classroom Model: Why, How, and Overview

Positive discipline is without a doubt a an exemplary model to follow. Nonetheless, when it comes to teaching and learning, The Flipped Classroom model seems to be as effective. Not following the traditional path has worked wonders before. In the following post, I will touch on Flipped Learning based on personal experience and from the information I could gather.

 

First of all, we all know how traditional lessons are conducted. The teacher presents the content, students remain silent throughout most of class. By the end of it, he leaves homework for learners to work on. When Flipped Leaning is applied however, the opposite happens: The teacher leaves students an assignment or a set of questions. These questions are directly connected to the following lesson. He usually suggests what sources or tools learners can make use of so as to do their research. During the following class, students focus on hands-on activities, help each other through collaborative work, etc. Their tutor is also there to dispel any doubts that may arise during the activities or to clarify some points from the assignment.

 

What is more, another major advantage to this model is the personalization of teaching. Teachers can focus more on individual students who need assistance. The well known MKO (More knowledgeable other) technique is utilized as well. In other words, the students who have a better understanding and skill-set of the content aid their peers. They are paired up for this to happen. At this point, you may wonder what exactly learners do during their very first lesson. Basically, the teacher starts walking them through the process of flipped learning. Taking advantage of technology goes without saying. It comes naturally for students to use online resources to conduct their research an work on tasks. Notwithstanding, it is our job to curate the content to be used in class. As well as teaching how to properly search for content and rely only on reputable sources. The only drawback I can think of for the Flipped Model is the complexity of the homework. The tasks must be manageable for learners. Not to mention that the topic to be learned through this model cannot be too advanced or demanding.

In review, there is no denying how useful Flipped Learning can be in any classroom. Implementing it in your school may be slightly daunting at first. Be that as it may, as was the case with Positive Discipline, the results acquired in the long run will be more than worth it. Having students as active participants of the learning process makes a huge difference in their attitude. Showing them their opinions and contributions matter should always be part of our belief system as educators.

Sources:
- Personal experience.
- Teachings in Education YouTube Channel.

Five Criteria for Positive Discipline With Parenting Expert Dr. Jane Nelsen

Needless to say that this is not the way in which most people pictured themselves spending April 1st before the pandemic. Nevertheless, circumstances outside of our control made it happen. Thus, for now, we must focus on what we can do to make progress. For this particular post, I feel compelled to share with you the concept of "Positive Discipline". A principle that has proven to be useful not only in teaching settings, but also in parenting.

 

When it comes to disciplining students, most teachers resort to the behaviorist approach. In other words, the idea that all behaviors are learned through conditioning. Consequently, for every stimulus, there must be a response. Case in point, if we train our students to stand up every time we come into the classroom, chances are they will fulfil this simple task without any difficulty. This concept has yielded results and been improved upon over the years since its formal inception in 1913 (even before then since Pavlov introduced the idea of conditioning). Be that as it may, behaviorism has only proven to produce short term results. For longer periods of time, a different approach is needed.

 

Given that rewards and punishments only provide temporary solutions, positive discipline can fill that void. The aforesaid principle endorses the idea that educators must be "firm and kind" at the same time. In fact, being more understanding of students' feelings, interests and circumstances has resulted in a stronger rapport between them and the teacher. Without showing weakness that is. Being kind does not necessarily mean being lenient. Fairness would be what most educators aim for when utilizing positive discipline. In fact, teachers who employ this concept, constantly hold teacher-student meetings. Where constant discussions take place regarding matters that will benefit both sides in the long run. The book by the same name "Positive Discipline", proposes a wide variety of techniques and strategies to make learners feel more at easy and willing to actively participate in the classroom. For instance, "The mistaken goals chart". A chart that contains four different behaviors students display when their needs are not met. Such as undue attention (to keep others busy or to get special service), misguided power (to be boss), and so on. It also provides avenues of action teachers can take so as to effectively deal with each particular behavior.

 

In summary, this relatively new method of disciplining students has become an indispensable guide for most educators worldwide. I believe that behaviorism and positive discipline can complement each other so as to promote a healthy learning environment in each classroom or household. Nonetheless, long term results should be what we all aspire to for our learners.

Sources:
- Positive Discipline in the Classroom (Jane Nelsen, Lynn Lott, H. Stephen Glenn).
- https://owlcation.com/social-sciences/Cognitive-Development-in-Children-from-Watson-to-Kohlberg

Charles Lyell and Geologic Time

Needless to say it has been over a month since my last post. Quite an eventful month and a half it has been. Nonetheless, keeping this blog alive is one of the goals I set out to pursue from the beginning.  Regarding my topic for today, I would say it is deeply connected with the theory of evolution. In fact, the scientist I am about to mention inspired Darwin to develop his theory. In the following, I will tackle Charles Lyell's Theory of Uniformitarianism and his contribution to Darwin's Evolutionary Theory.

Charles Lyell was born to a wealthy family in Scotland in 1797. They moved to England two years later. Charles was interested in nature from an early age. His father who was a botanist, would take him to the woods to collect bugs and butterflies. Lyell grew up to become and geologist. Earning his degree from Exeter College in Oxford at age 22. Additionally, he pursued and acquired a Master's degree in law in 1821. Be that as it may, he resumed his initial career path after a few years. By this time, Charles had already published some minor works which would later serve as a foundation for his more prominent ones. Case in point, his dissertation paper: "On a recent formation of Freshwater Limestone in Forfarshire".

 

During the 1800s, it was accepted as fact that everything  in heaven and Earth had been created by the Judeo-Christian god. Thus, the old testament was taken literally. Notwithstanding, Lyell debunked this assertion. He believed that the Earth was much older than only 6000 years old. Consequently, concluding it had taken millions of years to form.  Charles was able to corroborate his hypothesis while in Europe. Conducting research and collecting fossils. His theory of uniformitarianism posits that the Earth has been shaped by forces such as erosion and sedimentation. Which happened progressively throughout long periods of time. As opposed to Noah's ark flood and other isolated biblical events. What is more, Darwin himself applied the principles of uniformitarianism while studying volcanic rocks on The Canary Islands. Further cementing the validity of Lyell's work.

 

Lastly, even though most people regard Darwin as probably the greatest scientific mind of the 19th century, it is crucial to know who influenced his discoveries and conclusions. Had he not befriended Charles Lyell, he would have not read "The Principles of Geology". Hence, he would have probably never been inclined to discover a wide variety of fossils and patterns from different animals. Which ultimately lead to the development of his theory.

Sources:
- Famous Scientists: Charles Lyell.
- Famous Scientists: Charles Darwin.
- UC Berkeley: Understanding Evolution: Uniformitarianism: Charles Lyell.
- Dr. Mary Dowd article.

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