A while back, and I mean a while back, I started to blog about how people could incorporate the different phases of Explore, Flip, Apply to their classrooms. Well, I have finally had enough time to get to work on the Apply phase. 

The Apply phase to me is about having the students show you what they learned. I am not big on tests, but I am big on students showing their understanding. Here are some examples: 

In an English class, the best way to Apply what students have learned is for them to write in a public forum where they could get feedback. I feel that we shelter our students to much sometimes and that we need to have them connect with others and get peer feedback that is not from a classmate or teacher. Kidblog is a great blogging platform that is safe enough, yet you can connect your classes with others easily.


In a Social Studies Class, it depends on what area you are covering. In my class, I teach World History, and one of the areas we discuss are leaders in Ancient China. So, my students take on the persona of one of these famous emperors and they have a discussion based on what that individual would have said over topics the students have chosen to discuss. 


In a Science classroom, you could have students recreate experiments and video blog discussing what is happening and describing the process. 


In math class, have the students create new math problems or if you are working with fractions, have them bake or make something in school to have everyone share. 


The Apply Phase is about students demonstrating what they learned during the Explore and Flip phase. Don't let it be a test. Make it more a more authentic experience from them! 

This is Jacob. Jacob is a very bright young man. Jacob was not happy with what school was giving him, so he went out and started learning what he wanted to learn. In this powerful TEDxTeen talk, Jacob talks about how we need to do more learning-thinking-creating in our classrooms to get more students engaged about what we are teaching. Please enjoy. 

As I was pursuing the App store, I found a great new app from Getty Images. If you don't know Getty Images, they are the people behind some of the best photos taken in history. As I teach social studies, I am always on the look out for great images to spark inquiry and conversation in my classroom.  By starting with an image like this one, you can have your students engage in conversations about what is going on in this photo. What might they be talking about? So many questions that you and your students could come up with to start your discussion. I suggest you look through their online bank.