Software/Hardware

What technology do you need to start flipping your classroom?

Teachers, students, and classrooms will need different technologies to support a flipped classroom environment.

Teacher Requirements

• Video Recording Capabilities- Depending on your teaching style, this will vary.  To record yourself presenting a PowerPoint presentation from a computer, screencasting is best.  To film yourself at the board, you will need a webcam or video camera and tripod.  Personally, I use an iPad and the app "Explain Everything" to record my voice and annotations on a pre-made slideshow.
• Video Distribution- You may choose to publish your videos to a video website such as YouTube or TeacherTube, or you can create a virtual classroom to share you videos.  I created an iTunesU course so my students can watch the videos, as well as take notes and communicate through a discussion board.

Student Requirements

• Computer, Tablet, or Smartphone with internet access- Students need to watch your videos at home, which means they will need access to your videos.  Using the internet or 3G/4G on a mobile device, the students can log onto your virtual classroom or website and access your video.  If your students do not have a device or internet connection, there are other options.  Please read below to find out how to flip your classroom for a student without access at home.

School Requirements

• Computer(s) or Mobile Device(s) with internet access- Unprepared students can watch the video on a classroom device prior to class (I encourage my students to watch the video in homeroom).  They can also watch the video in class before beginning the activity. 

What do I do if...

my student doesn't have a device or internet to watch my videos at home?

Encourage your students to watch the videos on a computer in homeroom, a study hall period, or in the school library before coming to class.

my student came unprepared to class?

Send your student to the classroom computer or to the library to watch your video before participating in the activity.  Soon, your students will begin to realize that it is more fun to participate in class than watch the video so they will begin to watch the videos at home.

I do not know how to film and edit a video?

There are so many resources on the internet to help you film and edit your videos.  I find that using an iPhone or iPad is the easiest way to film and edit my videos, and there are a wide variety of apps that you can use.  Try simple apps and programs like the following:

Explain Everything allows to film your voice and annotations one slide at a time, so if you make a mistake, you do not need to re-record the entire video.

iMovie is a very simple video editing app.  You can easily combine video clips, add voiceovers, and publish your video for students to see.  There are many tutorials on YouTube to walk you through the first time of using it.

If you are using a computer to record your video, Screencast-o-matic is a simple website that allows you to record your computer screen as you narrate.  This is perfect for recording PowerPoint presentations.