Turning Teacher-Student Roles Upside Down

So you've probably heard of the "flipped classroom" approach - which is known for its teacher-made video component. Related to the flipped approach, but reversing the teacher/student role, is the "Upside Down Academy" which is a new non-profit organization, created by Jared Cosulich, that promotes the students making the videos instead of the teacher.

Once the student has mastered the material, they create the video. Cosulich stated "learning is a lot more effective when you're not just trying to consume information, but turning around and producing it as well."

Benefits associated with this method include (1) students must understand a subject well enough to "teach" it to others; (2) provides teacher with insight into a "different" way to present the material that might be beneficial to future students and; (3) while not mentioned in the article, this approach enforces the 21st century skills of communication and creation.

Read the full article for more information.

If an educational act is to be efficacious, it will be only that one which tends to help toward the complete unfolding of life. To be thus helpful it is necessary rigorously to avoid the arrest of spontaneous movements and the imposition of arbitrary tasks.

                                                                                                                         ~ Maria Montessori

James 1:2-4 ESV 

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

I humbly thank my wonderful family for their support in all that I do. Robert Robbie Cowan, Robert Drew Andrew Cowan, and Hunter Cowan Hartselle, Decatur, AL