Stakeholders in the Flipped Classroom
How would you effectively communicate with all stakeholders included in a flipped classroom?
All of the traditional methods could be used, such as letters, emails, meetings with parents/students. However, if you are going to flip the classroom, I would make use of those technologies to communicate with the stakeholders as well, by recording and providing a video of how the system will work.
Christen Embry
That has been a tough challenge in my experience. As the lesson content states, it is important to have a well-developed communication plan that starts before the course begins. It should use a number of communication pathways such as emails, text, classroom visits and phone calls to reach all students. An effective orientation is a key component to help students overcome initial challenges and anxieties.
An orientation is a great idea to help communicate the goals and procedures of a flipped classroom. It should always be presented in a positive way to make the participants feel that they are part of an elite group. This is true as students who participate with the right attitude will benefit greatly from this strategy.
Anytime something new is put into effect it's important that everyone understands the reasons why and the goals that are set and anticipated with the new process. Of course you'd communicate all this with the students day one when reviewing the syllabus. Then during the classes because the instructor isn't just standing in front of a class lecturing they can communicate easier with the student as they work side by side with them coaching them through in class group projects and activities.
For parents, the community, and possible new students getting the word out is key. With proper autorotation classes can be video taped to show either in ads or on youtube reaching the public. You can add a video to websites with a narrative about the flipped classroom along with testimonials from the students that feel this style of teaching was helpful for them.
This would be the key to ultimate success. Students love technology so, through email would be good or even text message if that is allowed by the college. I know some people don't want us texting students as they would have our cell numbers as well as we would have theirs.
Parents and other groups, email would be superior to letters an phone calls. School administrators could be kept "in the loop" via email.
I have already spoken to my education director about this course- about what an interesting concept this is- if he wants- I can do a short inservice to other instructors on the concept- I have suggsted that other instructors take this course.
Christen,
I think that's a great idea.
Dr. Moody Crews
Jason,
All true. Think about how you would develop that "effective orientation".
Dr. Moody Crews
James,
Agreed. Think about the orientation and how you can make the students feel a part of that "elite group".
Dr. Moody Crews
Cynthia,
All excellent points. It is difficult to sell new ideas because we all get very comfortable with our way of doing things. It's really difficult for those individuals who simply do not like change at all.
Dr. Moody Crews
James,
I agree that e-mail is best. I would certainly not text my students. Partly for the reasons you mentioned and partly because I fell text is a little more personal and I don't want that type of relationship with my students. Of course, that's a personal decision and as you stated, one that should be guided by the rules of your institution.
Dr. Moody Crews
Jean,
That's great. I hope your education direction will let you run with this. Also, Thanks for suggesting the course.
Dr. Moody Crews
It would need to include training at faculty in-service; messages to parents both about the change and how they will be kept 'in the loop'; opportunities for interested parties to observe and/or participate in a sample class.
Earle,
Yes. The opportunities for interested parties to gain a better understanding of the concept is extremely important. The buy in is needed if we expect the concept to be accepted.
Dr. Moody Crews
I would have to explain to them the many of possible options available, such as Library, and other available training facility's. I deal with individuals that cant even afford food let alone internet, so for those individuals I feel they would require more F2F interaction.
To effectively communicate with all stakeholder about the flipped classroom needs to occur prior to the start of learning. Many people are afraid of change, so I would want to prepare all stakeholders to understand the concept. I would also want to review the first prepared video with the students to ensure they understand the concept and expectations of the process. Hopefully at that time I could also review the benefit of the flipped classroom and why it fits the curriculum and learning objectives of the course.
David,
I agree. The financial limitations of some students is certainly something we have to consider as we decide how to facilitate our classrooms.
Dr. Moody Crews
Carrie,
Very good. All of these are excellent steps to take.
Dr. Moody Crews
There are several options for communicating with all the stakeholders. One option is through electronic communications; e-mail, social media, and texting all come to mind. Written communication is an option as well, a mailing to explain the new process to all stakeholders would be effective. Of course nothing works better than face-to-face communication, so an orientation prior to the start of the program would be very helpful.
