I fail to see how "flipping the classroom" and concepts like student retention, engagement, and student responsibility are mutually inclusive. It all comes down to the instructor at the end of the day. A good instructor can make any topic or presentation and engaging. A bad instructor can make any topic boring and uninteresting. Saying that the medium of presentation is the issue is misguided. The texts specifically state this method is pedagogy and not andragogy. Adult education needs to have a level of collaboration between instructor and students. We need to be getting away from the computers, the boring videos, the online multiple choice assignments, and AI generated answers and back to basics with hands-on demonstrations, real life examples, spoken and written responses that demonstrate a true understanding of the concepts and not just guessing and cheating.
This "flipped classroom" stuff does not apply to the career I teach and the students I work with. I have zero issues with making a traditional method still be engaging, fun, interactive while also holding my students responsible for their own education and giving them the freedom to complete work how they see fit. I make sure everyone participates and I am not satisfied with just answers, I usually ask my students "why is that your answer?" or "how did you arrive to that conclusion?" and I find that these follow up questions is what will lead to the most honest and engaging conversations between the entire class. They are not children; if they choose to not pay attention, not attend class, and not do their assignments then they will face the consequences of their actions (failing the course) and usually this will motivate the student to take their education seriously and hold up their end of the bargain. They know I hold up my end by preparing the lessons well and being ready to help and explain anything that needs it. We use our class time for lectures/reading AND assignments/application of concepts just learned.
