As part of the new beginning for the Normandy Schools Collaborative, the tradition of teachers giving classroom lectures and students doing homework at night is being turned on its head at Normandy High School. The school is adopting the flipped classroom concept in appropriate subjects beginning next school year. Training for administrators was held on July 15, and teachers will receive training in August.

“Flipped classrooms are a growing, innovative way to improve student achievement,” said Margie Vandeven, deputy commissioner for the division of learning services at the Department. “The concept allows teachers and students to maximize the time they have together in class.”

In a flipped classroom, students view their teacher’s recorded lessons or presentations online outside of class. They can watch the videos as often as needed, and they have the ability to write questions to let the teacher know which parts of the lesson they don’t understand. Then during class, the teacher can work with students one-on-one and in a group to improve learning. Activities normally assigned for homework, such as solving problems, responding to questions, or readings, writing or projects, will be done in class so that students have the support they need. This format means that students will be actively engaged during class each day. Areas of focus for the Collaborative in the next school year include student engagement, teacher content knowledge and the efficient use of data in designing instruction.

Improving student achievement is essential to ensuring all Missouri students graduate ready for college and career – the first goal of Missouri’s Top 10 by 20 initiative. The initiative is aimed at placing Missouri among the top 10 states in education by 2020.

The high school building will be open before and after school for students who do not have Internet access available at home. Internet access periods may also be available during the school day if needed.

Teachers record their lessons through CrazyForEducation of St. Louis. Once a teacher uploads a video to the service, reviewers look for clarity and content. Teachers who lack compelling presentation or technical skills can receive coaching. CrazyForEducation is totally free for teachers and districts, and there is no cost to students to view videos of their own teachers.