Manchester, Md. -- The Maryland Society for Educational Technology (MSET) is proud to announce its December 2019 Digital Learning Showcase Recipient Kati Hockstad, mathematics instructor at Manchester Valley High School in Carroll County Public Schools.

Hockstad continues to be a pioneer of the flipped classroom as she is known for creating self-learning modules for her students to learn in a digital environment at home before coming to school to put their learning into practice. She continually works to improve the learning experiences in her digital and face-to-face environments. The shift in her instructional practice allows her to counter the “sit and get” teaching approach with a more modern, innovative approach.

The flipped classroom approach has opened up many new instructional tools for Hockstad and her students. It’s common to see students utilizing QR codes that link to curriculum related tools allowing students easier access at home. Building her own capacity, she has now moved her geometry courses to an entire project-based learning using the flipped classroom method.

“Kati is a phenomenal math teacher who creates student centered lessons using Desmos and the Discovery Education Math Techbook,” Carroll County Public Schools’ Supervisor of Secondary Mathematics Mary Swack touted about Hockstad’s classroom approach. “Her use of websites such as Khan Academy and various Web 2.0 applications helps to prepare students for 21^st Century learning in a global society.”

The flipped classroom approach has allowed Hockstad to be more intentional using data as many of her tools assist in tracking student success. 

“Kati uses her technology tool to analyze both formative and summative student data to tailor her instruction to meet the needs of her students.  She holds students accountable for their own learning to best prepare them for higher education or the workplace,” Swack explained. “Kati’s students use a variety of digital tools to expand their knowledge of how technology can be used to advance learning.”

However, the transition to the flipped classroom away from the traditional teaching style has not only challenged her, but challenges the parents of her students too. Moving towards a new learning method has been a challenge, but Hockstad indicated the benefit towards students is worth the extra planning. 

“I love making students learn in their own ways and develop new and personalized problem-solving techniques,” Hockstad stated. “It's never easy being someone who tries new things, but I know our successes are going to go a long way when I sit back and look at my students’ successes.

About Digital Learning Showcase

MSET is taking the opportunity to highlight best practices in classroom teaching, leading, and learning with educational technology from around the state of Maryland. The goal is to spotlight innovations of members and nonmembers throughout different public and private school settings. Each month teachers, school leaders, and community members are asked to nominate individuals who support innovation and educational technology in a school setting.

MSET is non-profit organization with the purpose of promoting the improvement of the teaching-learning process through effective technology integration into all curricular areas as well as fostering and promoting excellence technology in education. MSET is an affiliate of the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), a leading international network for technology professionals.