Notes from November 30 Flipped Hangout

I was really pleased that our Google Hangouts were so productive on Saturday.  In fact, since we had such quality discussions that we should consider scheduling another meeting as a Hangout this winter.  Hangouts are a great way to model some distance learning capabilities to supplement flipped units. 

We started the Hangout by exploring some of the features of Google Hangouts.

• ·         Discussions of potential educational uses for Hangouts included involving students in class discussions who are:

o   Confined to home or hospital

o   Unable to attend class due to weather

o   On an athletic or academic trip

• ·         We also considered ways to connect classes in WV with students across the country or even overseas via Google Hangouts.  Think about the ability to do a class presentation to students in another country!

We briefly discussed our thoughts on the example flipped videos that were posted to Vimeo?

• ·         What advantages/disadvantages are there to using video?
• ·         Keeping video open, available to everyone or putting behind a password

Opportunities for expansion of the flipped program

• ·         WE forum gift

o   Amount to be determined

o   Will purchase class sets of iPad Mini tablets

• ·         ITQ grant development

o   Expansion of program in Cabell, Mason, Mingo and Wayne Counties

o   Funding to include training, software, expenses to national conference

We had a discussion of a number of tools for flipping:

• ·         Cam Studio, Adobe Presenter, iMovie, Explain Everything, Touchcast, etc
• ·         Vimeo, YouTube, TeacherTube, Weebley, Moodle, Edmodo, etc

Next steps:

• ·         Steve needs to check on tablets for Wayne teachers
• ·         Jason Gibbs will post information on academic pricing for Cam Studio
• ·         Lewis will post a link to an online assessment program
• ·         For the December 14 meeting (10 am at Drinko Library) everyone needs to bring, bring a video to share.  Post the video on some video service (YouTube or Vimeo) and submit a request to get the video whitelisted.  Be prepared to discuss the video at our December meeting.
• ·         A guest from Gilmer County plans to attend our December meeting to learn how we are doing flipping and to contribute to the discussion by sharing ways that he is doing flipped units in his rural county.
• ·         Please bring your calendar to the December meeting so we can schedule sessions for January – May 2014.

As always, it is a pleasure working with such quality educators.  I am very proud to be a part of this project.  Teachers in this part of the state continue to show the innovation and leadership that characterizes our region.