The first World Flipped Classroom Open House was held Jan. 30 in two countries, 20 states and more than 30 cities and towns — including Brooklandville, where a teacher at St. Paul's School for Girls took part in a demonstration of "flipped learning."

Dawn Adams, chair of the SPSG Math Department, is using flipped learning to teach Algebra I and II.

A fan of educational "flipping," Adams creates a math lesson on video, then delivers it to her students outside the traditional classroom setting. Students view the video as homework, which allows class time to be used for problem solving and one-to-one or small group tutoring.

"The goal of a flipped class is to utilize technology to move traditional lectures to an electronic media for the purpose of opening time in class for greater collaboration, problem solving and critical thinking," Adams said.

The theory behind the practice is that students respond to flipping because they're learning in a medium that's second nature to them, while receiving personal attention and support in class from teachers and peers.

Using their computers, students can watch the teacher's lecture — usually about 20-25 minutes — when they want, wherever they want, and as often as they want to.

They take notes on the video lesson and share information the next day in class, where they ask questions, practice problems, interact with the teacher and collaborate with their classmates.

Teachers are embracing the concept in middle schools and high schools, and for all types of classes including English and world language classes.

Adams hosted educators from Towson University and Friends School at the World Flipped Classroom Open House on Jan. 30, and demonstrated a flipped lesson with 10th-grade algebra I students.