So....you WANT to flip?

I have flipped my math classroom for the previous two school years. As 2014 comes to a close and I reflect on how my flipped classroom has evolved into what it is today, I thought I would provide some questions to consider for those who are interested in delving into the world of flipped (or blended) instruction.

Who:   Who can you learn from online or within your school? 

Who can help provide you with support?

Who on Twitter flips and offers good insights?  

What: What subject(s) will you flip?

          What hardware/software will you use to instruct? (SMARTboard, camera/tripod)

          What program will you use to record (Camtasia, Screencast-o-matic, etc.)

          What platform will you use to host your videos? (EdPuzzle, EduCanon, etc.)

         

When:  When will you provide flipped instruction?   (M-TH?  One day a week?)

Where:  Where will students watch the videos?   (At home? Before School?)

            Where will the students watch the videos if they don't have access at home?

            Do you have enough devices/computers for students to watch in your room?

*NOT ALL FLIPPED VIDEOS HAVE TO BE VIEWED OUT OF CLASS. You can set up a stations where students watch review videos in class, rotations where students watch videos as morning work throughout the week, etc.)

Why: (This question is KEY!)  

WHY ARE YOU PLANNING TO USE FLIPPED INSTRUCTION?

         What is your overall goal?

How:   How will you guarantee students watched the videos?  

          
How long will the videos be?

          How will you assess students’ understanding?

I hope these questions help you if you're considering flipping. In the next four posts you can find information on:

More Questions and Suggestions

Video Instruction

In Class Time

Flipped Platform Comparison

Feel free to leave any other questions in the comments below!

Thanks for reading!
Arin

(@ArinKress)

There Are People Out There (Poem)

This is the second poem that I wrote about a nine day Aussie Wanderer tour I took of Western Australia earlier this summer. You can read the first poem (with pictures) entitled "There's Another World Out There" by clicking here. In this poem, each stanza was written about a specific incident on the trip.

There Are People Out There

There are people out there

Who want to explore

They’re called backpackers

And are in search of so much more

There are people out there

Who you trust although you just met

And when you don’t think you should

They remind you not to fret

There are people out there

Who will hold your hand

When you’re falling they’ll catch you

And pull you up to safe land.

There are people out there

Who tell you where your feet should go

And you just believe them

Although you can’t see what’s below.

There are people out there

Who walk with no shoes

They won’t complain and then they’ll say

It’s the best thing to do

There are people out there

Who will cook for you and clean your plate

It’s like each night we were on

A massive group date

There are people out there

Who are from all around the globe

And their kindness and camaraderie

Is so easily shown

We are Dutch, Aussies,

Scots and Germans

Italians, French, English,

Swedes and Americans

We aren’t just

Tourists or travelers

We are one together -

Aussie Wanderers.

Written: June 29, 2014

There's Another World Out There (Poem)

For a month this summer I traveled to Australia. For nine days of my trip I took a tour of Western Australia from Perth to Broome. I was one of thirteen members of a tour group and we covered close to 2,000 miles. 

During these nine days, I experienced life in a way that I haven't in the previous 30 years. On the last day of the tour, I wrote this poem to recap my experience: 

There’s Another World Out There:

There’s another world out there

With sand dunes meters high.

You can board down them

And experience quiet the ride.

Sandboarding 

There’s another world out there

Where limestone points to the sky.

The Pinnacles were created

Although it’s argued how and why

Pinnacles Desert 

There’s another world out there

Where people repel with ropes.

Having a unique experience

Is their only hope.

Repelling in Kalbarri National Park

There’s another world out there

That makes up Shell Beach.

Billions of tiny shells

Almost hard to believe.

Shell Beach

There’s another world out there

Where rocks are alive.

Occurring in six places on Earth

And Australia owns five.

The Stromatolites 

There’s another world out there

Where dolphins come to feed.

They bring their young along

And they let the humans take the lead.

Dolphin feeding in Monkey Mia

There’s another world out there

That is among the coral reef

Where sharks and fish and more

Find their relief.

Ningaloo Reef - Photo Credit: Aqua Rush

There’s another world out there

Under the great blue sea

Where massive whale sharks

Glide along effortlessly

A Beautiful Whale Shark in the Indian Ocean - Photo Credit: Exmouth Dive Center 

There’s another world out there

Where humans jump inside.

For the beauty under the ocean

Is one thing that shouldn’t hide.

Swimming with whale sharks in Exmouth - Photo Credit: Exmouth Dive Center

There’s another world out there

Where whales and dolphins reside

Just like humans, some are friendly and outgoing

While others are quite sky.

A friendly dolphin in Monkey Mia

There’s another world out there

Where the ocean is a special shade of blue

It’s comprised of turquoise, aqua

And every other hue.

Beautiful Broome from the sky

There’s another world out there

Where the sun sets over water down below

The contrast of orange and blue

Makes for a magnificent glow.

Sunset in Broome

There’s another world out there

Full of beaches that are pristine

The sight is breathtaking

One of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen.

Coral Bay

There’s another world out there

Where cattle and kangaroos cross the road.

They’ll be killed if they don’t watch out

Or if they’re too slow.

Somewhere in the outback :)

There’s another world out there

Where Aboriginals once roamed.

Their traditions and customs try to stay alive

Where they once called their home.

Karijini National Park

There’s another world out there

Where rives carve the land.

Incredible gorges are formed

Dwarfing humans who dare to stand.

A great picture that shows scale. This is the cliff face I repelled down in Kalbarri National Park.

There’s another world out there

Where water falls from rock.

Below pools are formed

When first seeing them provide a shock

Waterfall and rock pool in Karijini National Park

There’s another world out there

Where tunnels of water guide…

You to a new land of promise –

A beautiful paradise

One of the passages we swam through in Karijini National Park

There’s another world out there

With a beach that runs 80 miles.

It’s full of unique shells

Of all colors, shapes and styles.

Incredible shells found on 80 Mile Beach

There’s another world out there

Where cell service can’t be found

With no distractions it’s easier to focus

On the sky and on the ground.

Sunset in Coral Bay

There’s another world out there

With backpackers galore.

Their main objective is to experience life,

To learn and explore.

Just before saying goodbye in Broome

But….

There’s another world out there

Literally another world…

As we looked up at the stars at night

Their piercing beauty was quite a sight

To think that we’re just a tiny planet

Compared to its immensity

There’s so much more to explore

In our galaxy.

So we’ll stick to exploring this planet

And all the beauty on the Earth.

Together we got a tiny glimpse

Of what it all is worth.

So in just nine days

We found so much that shouldn’t hide.

And to quote a funny German,

“I love my life!”

Written: June 29, 2014

I wrote a second poem as a follow up to this one called "There Are People Out There" about the people I met on the tour. You can read that poem by clicking here. 

Whale Shark (Poem)

This past June I was able to swim with two whale sharks in Exmouth, Australia. I wrote this poem three days after the amazing experience...

"Spotter in!

Go, go go!"

We jumped on in

Not sure what was below. 

"Stick your mask in.

Look straight ahead."

All went silent

Like life was dead. 

A second or two passed

with no sound.

For a moment I was scared

Of what could be around. 

And suddenly there it was.

This massive creature came in view.

The biggest fish in the ocean

and the most gentle too.

Photo Credit: Exmouth Dive Center

It glided along 

Seemingly not to care

That onlookers jumped in 

And could do nothing but stare.

We swam along beside it

And I reminded myself to breathe.

Snorkeling became simple

The shark was calming. 

Its spots were big.

Its mouth agape. 

It was busy eating.

Nothing could escape.

Photo Credit: Exmouth Dive Center

Suckerfish below it

held on for a ride.

They didn't do much - 

just let the whale shark glide.

And there we still were

Swimming next to it in shock.

It was a whole new world

And time seemed to stop.

Photo Credit: Exmouth Dive Center

I don't know how long it was

How long we shared that space

But the feeling was unreal

Something that can't be replaced.

Dwarfed by its size

I remembered feeling small

But being in its presence

Left me in awe.

But unfortunately for us

The swim had to conclude.

We let it move on

In the ocean blue

The boat came to retrieve us

and we jumped in the rear

I felt exhilarated, alive

and didn't have any fear. 

We dove in one more time

and the story repeated again:

Silence, time froze

Suckerfish and fins. 

But the second time was it.

Only two dives that day. 

I was lucky to experience it

and see life that way.

So now when I look in the ocean

Whether it's daylight or dark

I'll remember my experience

of swimming with whale sharks. 

If you want to read another post I wrote about my Whale Shark experience and a great lesson I learned during it, click here to read: "It's Ok To Ask For Help." And, here are two more poems about my trip to Australia: "There's Another World Out There" and "There are People Out There"

Thanks for reading!
Arin
(@ArinKress)

"It's Ok To Ask For Help"

As I prepare to head back into the classroom for the ninth time, one lesson that I hope to teach the students early in the school year is: "It's ok to ask for help." I want my students to be independent thinkers, but I also want them to know that sometimes they will need assistance from others and it's ok to admit that. I plan to use the following story of how one person's kindness and leadership allowed me to have an unforgettable experience.

This past June I had the great privilege of traveling to Australia for a month. Off the coast of picturesque Exmouth, I had the opportunity to swim with the biggest fish in the ocean: whale sharks. I may be a risk taker in the classroom, but the thought of 'swimming with sharks' was far beyond my comprehension. I didn't want to pass up this once in a lifetime experience so I thought I would learn more about what all 'swimming with sharks' entailed...

The day before I had the opportunity to swim, I snorkeled for the first time with the rest of my tour group. At least you can say, I attempted to snorkel. I told the crew that I was not comfortable jumping in and that I needed some practice first. I was told you 'learn by experience, just jump in and you'll be fine.' So, reluctantly, I did and let's just say, it was not a success. I panicked as the other group members swam with the guide. I quickly fell behind and definitely wasn't able to see the beautiful reef that was just below the surface. Honestly, I was scared at what could be below the surface along the reef: Sharks, snakes manta rays, etc.   Toward the end, I cut my hand on the shallow reef which made me panic even more as I knew there were sharks in the water as my hand continued to bleed. I was scared and just wanted the session to end...

As we arrived at the dive shop the next day to go on the whale shark swim, I had to sign paperwork stating that I was an 'experienced snorkeler.' I obviously knew my limitations and approached one of the staff members to explain that I wanted to go on the boat to see as much as I could, but I was far from an 'experienced snorkeler.' Jess, the staff member who patiently listened to my story about the day before, explained that she would personally make sure that I had not only a memorable experience, but an enjoyable one. I trusted her, signed the paperwork and my whale shark journey officially began.

There were twenty tourists on the boat and five crew members. The tourists ranged in age from kids in their teens to a lady in her mid-seventies. I realized that I should be able to overcome my fear and not receive special treatment, but I also knew that I needed help.

And I wasn't afraid to ask for it.

I told Jess I needed help snorkeling, so she arranged for a private snorkel session in the morning while the rest of the group snorkeled together. Jared, the crew member who snorkeled with me, was just as calm and kind as Jess. In just a few minutes, I gained some confidence and began to muster up enough courage to swim with the whale sharks later in the day, of course with Jess's help.

As we prepared for the first whale shark swim, Jess checked in with me and again, I asked for help. I told her that although I could snorkel by myself, I didn't know if I would be able to do so with a huge creature in the water with me.

I remember her not skipping a beat as she explained exactly what the plan was. She said that we would both jump in together, arm and arm as nine other tourists would follow behind us. She said she would find the whale shark, alert us to the exact moment to stick our mask in the water and that she would swim with me as long as I was able to keep my mask in the water...

So, again I trusted her. The first whale shark approached our boat, arm and arm we jumped in together, I stuck my mask in when instructed to do so, and then she swam as I watched the beautiful creature as it glided along effortlessly in the Indian Ocean.

Whale Shark #1
Picture credit: Exmouth Dive Center

At that moment, I remember feeling awestruck. I wasn't scared at all. I wanted the moment to last as long as possible and I focused on breathing. About halfway through, I realized that I really wasn't swimming at all and that Jess was dragging me along. So I began to swim so she didn't have to do all the work. A few minutes after jumping in, the swim was over and we let the whale shark continue on.

Jess is on the left and I am on the right. You can barely see the whale shark in the background but as you can imagine this is one of my favorite pictures from the swim.
Picture Credit: Exmouth Dive Center

The second whale shark swim was almost a repeat of the first, except for at the end, Jess let go and let me swim by myself. I think she did it almost symbolically so I could say I was able to swim without assistance.

Whale Shark #2
Picture Credit: Exmouth Dive Center

Back on the boat, we saw two humpback whales, numerous dolphins and a dugong. Later in the day we snorkeled again and I actually could enjoy the reef and the beautiful fish and creatures that call it home. I know that none of it would have been possible without Jess. I know that if I let my first bad experience hold me back, I wouldn't have had the experience of a lifetime.

Jess and I after a long successful day!

I hope I am my students' "Jess" this school year. I want to be the person who reassures them and who will jump in the deep end with them arm and arm. I want to be the person that will hold on as long as necessary and then let go when they gain the confidence they need.

And, I want my students to know it's ok to ask for help. I could have felt embarrassed or ashamed that I received special treatment from the crew. I could have felt like there was something wrong with me because I was scared. But, luckily I didn't, and luckily for me, someone took my request seriously enough to care that I had both a memorable and enjoyable experience.

To those of you who are preparing for the beginning of the school year, I hope you have both a memorable and enjoyable school year. Remember to encourage your students to ask for help when necessary and continue to be the all important leader in the classroom who will do anything to let his/her students feel a sense of success!

Success!

If you're interested in how the whole operation worked, here are the basics: Whale sharks are solitary creatures so they swim by themselves. Exmouth Dive Center has their own planes in the sky that spot the whale sharks and direct boats to the exact spot in the ocean. One of the crew members finds the whale shark once the boat is in place and instructs the first spotter to go in the ocean. The first spotter finds the shark beneath the water and then motions in the direction that the shark is swimming. The second spotter then jumps in with the group of ten tourists. Once the shark comes in view all the tourists and spotters swim alongside it. Here is a short video I recorded from the boat of a group jumping in:

Also, if interested, here are three poems about my trip to Australia:
1.) Whale Shark
2.) There's Another World Out There
3.) There are People Out There


Thanks for reading!
Arin
(@ArinKress)