The Flipped Classroom

As it becomes increasingly well-known, the flipped classroom has turned heads as an innovative way to reach the 21st century learner.  Many people have seen the videos describing it.  We've seen what it is, what it is not, and what it can be.  Many people have addressed the pros and cons of the flipped classroom already.  I will briefly mention these and then discuss a way to slowly implement it that I would like to try in the next year or two.
The flipped classroom is a great way to reach the new smarter balanced standards that are may or may not be implemented at a district near you this year.  The teacher can effectively become the facilitator of learning instead of the main tool for students.  It forces a classroom to become more student-centered.  In the case of a science classroom, it also can potentially emliminate the issues that almost everyone has had in the past:  not having enough time to cover each topic fully and - in my case - really get a lot of hands-on learning accomplished.  Students will have the chance to learn at home at their own pace and use the class time to apply the knowledge and further explore the concepts, or gain clarity by asking questions and allowing the teacher to be a supplemental resource wihtin the classroom and not the focal point.
On the other hand, there are problems that can arise from flipping a classroom.  I can imagine the amount of time it will take for students to remold  their brains and adjust the new way of doing things.  Its hard enough to get students to complete tasks at home on a daily basis as is, to make that a necessity for learning could be difficult and quite an adjustment for the kids.  It also requires technology at home that not every student has, even though that is becoming increasingly rare.  Alternatives must be addressed in the circumstances.  Also, it requires a re-tooling for teachers.  Teachers who have spent years creating a course that has been successful would need to spend a lot of extra time creating videos and developing new plans for the classroom.  Not everyone would welcome this change with open arms.
Now, to implement this into the classroom, I have a strategy that I may try soon.  To alleviate some of the stress, I would consider starting small.  Don't flip your class completely, but flip a few units at a time and adjust from there.  Upon the first implementation you can imagine the bumps in the road that will come up.  Speding a summer creating a whole curriculum only to change it after a few weeks would be counter-productive.  Starting small is my best plan.  Perhaps a unit or two in each quarter or trimester or whatever fits each schools format.

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