I have been creating video podcasts for my AP Biology class for the last three years. Students are able to view the lectures at home before we discuss the material in class. It has improved the quality of our discussions, given us more time to work on lab material, and improved our scores on the AP Biology test in the spring. However there are limits to the effectiveness of flipping the classroom. This year I have flipped my flipped classroom.
Students are working their way through an Alternate Reality Game called BioHazard 5. Each student must pass challenges to level up. A classroom set of iPad 2s allows students to move independently and watch videos when required. It has been an amazing experience so far and I am only in my fourth day. I will attempt to document the game here over the next few weeks.
I am reminded of Salman Khan's TED talk this week. Before he started tutoring the world through the Khan Academy he was tutoring his cousins. After uploading his first videos to YouTube they told him that they preferred the video version of him to the actual version. I have heard the same thing from some of my students. However I would imagine that it went both ways for Mr. Kahn. It is much easier to create and upload online lessons than it is to interact with students that are struggling with difficult concepts or learning how to learn. I know this sounds silly but the one thing I didn't expect in my classroom this year was how much teaching I would be doing. 
