Math Teacher Utilizes Flipped Classroom for Algebra II
Mac McGory’s Algebra II class tries out a flipped classroom style of learning.
PHOTO | Sela Kincaid
Mac McGory telling his class one of his daily jokes.
Math teacher Mac McGory has decided to utilize a flipped classroom teaching style for his Algebra II class this year to see if it helps students learn more efficiently.
“It’s kind of like, how much work do they want to put into it,” McGory said.
McGory is not the first to try a flipped classroom. Chemistry teacher Kathleen Teel, former French teacher Joanna Shum and math teacher Kristi Hilgenfeld have all tried in the past to incorporate some part of the flipped classroom into their curriculum. Teel and Hilgenfeld no longer use the flipped classroom but have added and incorporated certain aspects of it in their daily teaching.
“Instructional strategies have a lot to do with the teachers’ commitment to adapting it to meet the needs of the students,” Assistant Principal for Curriculum and Instruction Ellen Carmody said.
Juniors Rachel McRae, Brooke Walker and Lily Hutteger work on a Algebra pre-test.
In McGory’s flipped classroom, students complete their notes at home, watching video tutorials on certain lessons posted by McGory. The students then complete their homework in class in small groups, where they are allowed to ask for help from their peers and McGory if need be.
“I don’t like having to take notes at home,” junior Lilly Denney said. “I like the idea, but I wish on block days we could have him teach us in class.”
McGory is currently teaching three Algebra II classes where he is utilizing a flipped classroom. Last year after being evaluated, Carmody said that McGory’s decision was looked forward to by his department and students.
“We were excited when we looked at his observations. He was getting really positive feedback,” Carmody said. “Many students said he was strict but funny.”
McGory has been perfecting his type of flipped class for the past 10 to 11 years at O’Hara High School. After joining Sion last year, he took a break from his flipped classroom. He said that students liked it and seemed to get further along faster.
“The students get the opportunity to clear up their problems right away,” McGory said. “They don’t have to wait till the next day and be stuck and frustrated with the homework.”
So far she said she is intrigued in how McGory has made his class centered around helping each other understand lessons and taking notes at home, going at your own pace.
“I like how we get to use each other to get help,” Knopke said.
Mac McGory teaching his Algebra II class.
The flipped classroom is a more independent style of teaching, McGory said. He knows that it is new for most of his students and said he just wants them to do the best they can.
“As long as students are learning,” McGory said, “That’s the important thing.”