The rapid generational turnover and the pervasive influence of social media have reshaped how students learn, engage with teaching materials, and build trust in educational content. Today’s students are accustomed to fast information processing, quick judgment, and a tendency to disengage when content does not align with their expectations. Additionally, the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT has led to growing concerns about over-reliance on technology and the lack of independent critical thinking. These shifts create significant challenges for educators, who must balance innovation with maintaining educational quality, fostering independent work, and improving course attendance. It is evident that in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, education must adapt to meet students in their own spaces while maintaining academic integrity, quality, and core educational values.

This study explores a blended teaching approach that adapts to changing learning habits while keeping students engaged and helping them retain knowledge. It was implemented in a first-year software engineering course at a Dutch technical university. The approach includes:
(1) flipped classrooms approach, where students watch short, whiteboard animation videos before class and use class time for hands-on practice;
(2) narrative-style handouts, provided after practice to reinforce learning without replacing active participation;
(3) Compulsory first drafts of team-based formative assignments, completed in class without generative AI to ensure attendance, teamwork, and problem-solving without over-reliance on technology,
(4) weekly anonymous feedback to continuously improve content and teaching methods in real-time.

The results were highly positive: course attendance increased by 50%, with almost no dropouts. Students found the short videos helpful in reviewing material and preparing for exams. Teachers also benefited, as they could build stronger connections with students during in-class activities and better understand their challenges. The shows a clear increase in student engagement compared to previous years, leading to improved performance in both the final written test and the project.

Keywords: Generational change, social media learning, flipped classroom, digital learning strategies, student engagement, AI in education, higher education innovation.