Diving Into 20% Time

Over the past year, I've noticed the term "20% time" popping up in conversations with colleagues in the flipped learning community.  Karl Lindgren-Streicher had mentioned it during a #flipclass chat and later discussed it briefly in his FLN podcast appearance.  I then heard a recent FLN podcast that focused specifically on 20% Time.  Host Troy Cockrum, who has implemented 20% time himself, led a great discussion with Kevin Brookhouser and Kate Petty.  After hearing this incredibly thought-provoking episode, I finally committed to learning more about this new concept.

First, I tried to connect with many of the 20% Time thought leaders on Twitter by searching the hashtag #20Time.  (I also realized that there is a #genioushour community that has a very similar approach.)  Joy Kirr directed me towards an excellent livebinder loaded with 20% Time / Genius Hour resources.  I then checked out Troy's blog,  Kevin Brookhouser's website and Kate Petty's new 20TimeinEducation.com which is specifically devoted to this topic.   Next, I spent some time over April vacation reading Daniel Pink's Drive, a book I wish I had read a few years ago when it was first released!  He also has an abridged version of his argument in the influential TED talk called "The Puzzle of Motivation." 

I was now officially committed to piloting 20% Time for the rest of this school year.  Final guidance was sought from Troy, Kevin, and Kate before finalizing my introductory presentation and lesson plan.  To build excitement for the project, I leaked bits of information about it throughout the week.  (Autonomy, Purpose, Google, Intrinsic Motivation, Passion, and 20% Time.) Some students actually spent considerable time trying to figure out what the heck I was unveiling later in the week.

Friday's introduction to 20% Time went extremely well!  The students seemed genuinely interested in the concept and excited to start their projects.  Troy's suggestion to kick things off with the Ghost Drive Through was a big hit with the kids, even those who had already seen it.  Also, although I was hesitant to include them in the presentation, students were intrigued by the studies on intrinsic motivation that were cited in the book "Drive."  Most students ran with the Brainstorming session, but as expected, some had no idea where to start.  I tried my best to get them to at least think and ponder what they might be interested in, even if it is not something that immediately comes to mind.

For those readers interested, I have included the presentation that I delivered to intro 20% Time below.  I have also included links to the Brainstorming Form and Lesson Plan document.


Brainstorming Form
20% Time Intro Lesson Plan

Although I have just started implementing 20% Time, I feel that it complements flipped learning very well.   As this pilot program progresses, I will have a better idea regarding the "marriage" of these two approaches and their potential to bring flipped learning to a whole new level. 

History Teachers Featured on Flipped Learning Podcast

First, if you have not heard of the Flipped Learning Podcast, I highly recommend checking it out.  Troy Cockrum does an excellent job hosting this weekly show that features educators from around the nation.  Joan Brown has also joined the program to provide news related to the flipped learning community and join in the discussion.  It is a great way to learn about various adaptations of flipped learning and can also help you connect with other educators and grow your PLN.

Fortunately for us social studies educators out there, three recent episodes have featured high school history teachers.  I was interviewed for episode #34 and had a great conversation with Troy and Joan about flipped learning, democratic education, explore-flip-apply, and more. They are all linked below for those interested in listening.

JANUARY 29, 2013 9:00 AM
Flipped Learning #29: Flipping History with Karl Lindgren-Streicher

FEBRUARY 12, 2013 9:36 PM
Flipped Learning #31: More History Flipping with Frank Franz

MARCH 12, 2013 3:48 PM
Flipped Learning #34: Democratize Learning with Tom Driscoll

Flipped History Hangout 3/13/13

On Wednesday night five of us met for another great conversation about flipped learning in social studies.   The major topics of the night including: managing the class, structuring units, flipped-mastery, explore-flip-apply in social studies, and more.   Unfortunately the recording ended abruptly with about 15 minutes left in our conversation due to technical difficulties (thanks Karl).  There is still about 40 min. or so archived and embedded below for those interested.

Participants included: Karl Lindgren-Streicher, Tom Driscoll, Frank Franz, David Fouch, and Jason Bretzmann.

Online Assessments Using Google Forms

For those of us searching for the best way to develop and deliver online assessments, the options out there often seem limitless.  This is not to mention that most, if not all, learning management systems have some type of built-in assessment application.

I have nonetheless come to the conclusion that, for now at least, my best option is to use Google forms along with the Flubaroo script.  This provides the flexibility to link or embed assessments into any web page (or LMS). It also offers analytic tools for data collection and item-analysis. 

Here is a quick tutorial of how to create self-grading assessments using Google Forms and the Flubaroo script.   I hope this helps, if you have any questions please let me know!

5 Minute Guide to Screencasting

Our PHS students are currently developing screencast presentations, so I thought what better way to model this skill than by making a screencast tutorial of, you guessed it, how to make a screencast.

After presenting last week at a Flipped Learning Workshop in Braintree, MA, I also realized how useful a quick guide would be for educators.

Here I demonstrate the use of Screencast-O-Matic, a simple (and free) web-based screencasting software.  Although I develop my screencasts (including this one) with Camtasia Studio, which I highly recommend as well, Screencast-O-Matic is a great tool for students and teachers who are just starting out with screencasting.