I’m a stubborn human. I also have some pretty grave questions about my sanity. Because it was just this morning as I chatted with my mom on the phone during a very slow jog through my neighborhood, that I AGAIN lamented about whether or not I was going to flip Human Biology in the fall.
Really??! Does anyone else get the feeling that we’ve been here before?
But I think this time, I really did work through the issue (though I did ask my mom to remind me of this decision should I somehow lose focus before fall).
So here’s the ultimate reason I am firmly committing to NOT flipping Human Bio this fall. There are only 17 students enrolled in the course at this time and the course will not be offered again until next summer at the earliest. There. So if I were to flip the class, I would invest the ridiculous amount of flipping energy for 17 students (whom I’m sure I will love very much, and who are probably quite deserving of the educational advantages that the flip offers). But 17 students in 1 year just doesn’t justify the time it would take to prepare for an effective flip.
I think I feel peaceful about this decision. The true test will be to see what the blog topic is NEXT week. If I’m still talking about whether or not to flip Human Biology in the fall, you’ll know this peaceful sense is an illusion. But if I’ve moved onto a new topic, then we’ll all happily put this one to bed and I’ll start trying to remember how NOT to flip a class! HA!
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But, Wendy, don’t you think it is better to have 17 guinea-pigs than a hundred?
Hahahha! Like I always say, the more guinea pigs the better!
Wendy, I’m late to this, but I think this is a perfect opportunity. Before doing a large research study, pilots are often done. If you aren’t teaching it again, view it as a no lose situation. I would never flip a large class I teach regularly because if the experience goes poorly, that follows you and your next group of students would definitely hear about it! Get them engaged in the process.
Having said all that, I’ve yet to see an in person class style that really works with students. I think there is plenty of room for a blend of interaction with the traditional lecture style – videos, quizzes embedded, group case work throughout. Good luck!