Distance Learning

FlipCon Conference to Offer Wide-Ranging Sessions on the Flipped Classroom

• By Dian Schaffhauser
• 06/09/15

Educators in K-12 and higher education will have the chance to learn about and refine their flipped learning practices during FlipCon, taking place online and in person at Michigan State University in East Lansing. The upcoming conference, hosted by the Flipped Learning Network, includes sessions for those who are new to flipped learning, as well as those who are more experienced, doing research on the practice and seeking tools and skills.

Keynote speakers include Jon Bergmann and Aaron Sams, early adopters of the flipped model. Individual sessions will explore topics such as:

• The use of the flipped approach in chemistry, quantum mechanics, second-language acquisition and pre-calculus;
• flipping in elementary, middle grades and higher ed;
• helping students prepare for a flipped class;
• creating videos;
• flipping an entire school; and
• getting parents on board and students on track with flipping.

Flipped learning, as the organizers explain on the conference website, is a "pedagogical approach in which direct instruction moves from the group learning space to the individual learning space." The emphasis is on flexibility in both learning environment and teacher expectations, student participation in "knowledge construction," a mix of direct instruction and student exploration of materials and a more aggressive role on the part of the educator to "continually observe" and assess students and provide feedback in the moment.

The onsite event runs July 13 through 15 and costs $450 for registration. Pre-conference workshops are extra. The virtual event runs July 14 and 15 and costs $149. Not all sessions will be recorded; attendees to the online conference will need to choose among a subset of sessions. All of the virtual sessions will be recorded, and attendees will have access to the archives through December 2015.