flipped classroom

In tonight's class, we discussed the controversial topic of the flipped classroom. A flipped classroom is where teachers supply their students with the lecture material online, such as videos, podcasts, Prezi, PowerPoints, etc., for students to look at overnight while at home. Then, the teacher takes class time to do engaging group activities on the material covered at home the night before. You can learn more about what a flipped classroom is from some cute little penguins here. I am very on the fence with this up and coming technique. I like the idea of the flipped classroom because it helps students who learn at different paces by allowing them to pause, stop, rewind and repeat the videos as many times as they need. It also helps students who were absent or even those who just zoned off for a little while during class. I also really like the concept because it gives the students more one-on-one time with the teacher as well as allows the teacher to ask higher-level questions. Lastly, I like it because I think the engaging group activities will keep the students interested much more than the normal lecture would. On the other hand, there are several reasons I am not so crazy about it. I feel as though the concept is too complicated for any students younger than junior high. Although kids are becoming experts on technology younger and younger, I feel as though it will become more of a parent's homework to log their children on the computer and assist them in completing the work. As for high school students, I feel like many do not do their homework as is and if they don't do their homework of watching the lecture, it will severely effect them and put them behind the next day. Another reason I am not sold on the idea is because the videos have to be short in order to not totally bore the students, but how much information are you really going to get across in such a short amount of time? Finally, another reason I do not like the flipped classroom is because I know personally I sometimes need things rephrased or need to ask questions immediately in order to totally understand which cannot happen with a pre-recorded video. All in all, I think the flipped classroom is an interesting new concept, however I am not sure it is for me. And I have a feeling I will really not like the flipped classroom after all the stress this lesson I am creating is giving me! -__-