This document discusses the transformation of the Honors Humanities program at ACS Athens from a traditional face-to-face course to an i2Flex model. i2Flex incorporates independent, inquiry-based, and flexible student learning supported by technology. The Humanities program was redesigned to include online learning activities to provide context before class, allowing class time to focus on discussion. Student feedback found the i2Flex approach helped understanding while valuing face-to-face discussion. Benefits included meeting diverse student needs and challenges included balancing online and in-person learning.

1. INNOVATION
THROUGH i2FLEX
The Transformation of a Classic
in the Humanities Program

2. Humanities is…
A “modern classic,” created 40
years ago as an innovative,
interdisciplinary, team-taught
course that examines essential
questions through literature,
visual and performing arts,
philosophy and history.
Field study trips in Greece and
Europe encouraging students to
become independent learners,
while also developing their
critical thinking skills and
cultural awareness.
Exploring on-site the
masterpieces studied in class,
providing students with
opportunities to think, imagine,
conceptualize and create.
Teaching and learning in the
i2Flex paradigm
 Honors Humanities Two-year
ACS Diploma Program
Enrichment Courses:
 Classicism and Romanticism
in French Art and Thought
 Classical Humanism in the
Italian Renaissance
 Reason and Faith: Classical
Humanism and Byzantine
Spirituality

3. What is i2Flex?
i2Flex includes the following
components:
i = independent student learning
i = inquiry-based student learning
Flex = Face-to-Face, Flexible, Guided
student learning
Supported by technology

4. Smooth Transition
Honors Humanities i2 Flex
Student-Centered, Inquiry based
 Assessment is diverse to address a variety of
individual learning styles.
Each student brings a unique approach to
the field study component.
Authentic
The Honors Humanities course is an original
ACS Athens course, which was designed
specifically for our international student body.
Interdisciplinary
The team-taught and completely integrated
interdisciplinary approach develops high-order
critical thinking skills.
Flexible
The Humanities program has not only
evolved to meet the needs of 21st century
learners, but also offers opportunities for
greater personalization of the learning
experiences.
• Independent investigation in flex-time gives
students some control over time, place, pace
and mode of learning.
• i2 Flex is another authentic ACS innovation
geared towards improving teaching and
learning.
•The i2 Flex model opens up a wider range of
multimedia resources across the disciplines
and develops high-order critical thinking in the
F2F and online environments.
• The i2 Flex model provides a framework for
continuous improvement of teaching and
learning which includes an ongoing process of
reflection on and revision of strategies for
flexible, guided student learning.

5. Case Study
 Here we will present one in-depth case study where
we explain how we transformed the Honors Humanities
course from Face To Face to i2Flex.
 Description and presentation of examples of how we
redesigned the course format and presentation,
learning activities and assessment.
Data presentation on student feedback and our
findings regarding the benefits and challenges of
adopting the i2Flex methodology for this course.

6. Format and Presentation
 Template is set up more like a website
 Home page is organized with tabs, one for each unit
 Units are further divided into two subpages per
week: one for the F2F class and one for the guided
independent web-based sessions.
 Format is more streamlined and efficient allowing
students immediate access resources, activities and
assignments for both aspects of the course

7. Format and Presentation

8. Redesigning Learning Activities:
Discussion Forum
 Use of Discussion Forums
Students can share ideas and research, and comment on
each others’ postings online.
 Synchronous and Asynchronous
Opportunity to expand knowledge and understanding
beyond classroom focus
Gives everyone a voice
 Shifts focus from teacher-centered activity to student-
centered learning

9. Redesigning Learning Activities:
Discussion Forum

10. Redesigning Learning Activities:
Voice Thread
 Use of software such as VoiceThread to facilitate online
collaborative brainstorming as part of the pre-writing process
 Students are assigned to groups and share initial ideas on a
specific character, using guiding questions and including direct
references to the text
 During F2F time the groups present their comments and
collaboratively create a rich resource of ideas for classroom
discussion
Results in more detailed, clear and thoughtful class discussion
 Provides a rich resource of ideas to use when writing essays

11. Redesigning Learning Activities:
Voice Thread

12. Summative & Formative
Assessment
 PowerPoint Slide Tests during on-line sessions
(Summative)
 Quality grades based on a rubric for Discussion Forum
postings (Formative)
Student comments on Discussion Forums (Formative)
 Teacher feedback and comments on Digication journals
(Formative)
Comments posted on VoiceThread brainstorming activities
(Formative)

13. Assessment: Digication
Title of the Painting: Adoration of the
Magi
Artist: Ghirlandaio Date:1485-

14. Student Response &
Comments
Typical Student Comment:
“I would recommend this course to everyone but more specifically to
people who love history and art, because the way that it is being
taught is amazing. “
76.6 % of students agreed or strongly agreed that the i2Flex approach
provided necessary context; that it provided the basis for deeper
understanding of the subject; and that it helped generate ideas for
written assignments.
82% agreed or strongly agreed that using web-based sessions for activities
like slide tests allowed us to make better use of the F2F class time for
class discussions and collaborative activities.
Although their responses definitely indicated their appreciation for
independent web-based learning as a way of building context, almost
every one of the respondents stressed that F2F class discussion
guided by the teacher was very important in helping them develop
deeper understanding of the course content.

15. Benefits of i2Flex
Methodology
Teaching Learning
 Allows teachers to use many different
approaches to the content to meet the
needs of diverse students
 Provides a context for teachers and
students to interact to solve problems.
 Scheduling students and teachers is
much more flexible.
 Fosters critical thinking by
building context online through
which students develop their own
understanding
 Equips students with skills for
lifelong learning and focuses on
providing authentic experience with
educational technology
 Students become independent,
responsible learners
 Meets students where they are
and challenges them to find deeper
meaning

16. Challenges of i2Flex
Methodology
Teaching Learning
 Finding and maintaining a balance
between independent web-based
learning and F2F activities and
discussions
 Time required to plan, select and
adapt resources to learning objectives
 Need for very careful and consistent
administration of the Moodle site.
Need for teacher commitment and
diligence in executing this methodology
 Overcoming the resistance to
change
 Using technology for academic
purposes
 Budgeting time and self-
discipline
 Developing skills of independent
inquiry

17. Thank You!
• Kathleen Jasonides jasonidesk@acs.gr
• Janet Karvouniaris karvouniarisj@acs.gr
• Amalia Zavacopoulou
zavacopouloua@acs.gr
Presentation links can be found at:
http://www.isquaredflex.gr/icodl-2015/
This presentation is also available on SlideShare