student recall vs google it
Generation Y students do not seem to (and I'm generally speaking here) value memorization or retaining knowledge. I get the reasoning "I can always look it up." I have to drive home the point that in an industry where time is money, you won't have or be given the time to look it up; you'll be fired. It's a very difficult concept to get them to understand. In this industry you really need to KNOW it.
In my experience both as a teacher and a life-long student, facts are only as interesting as their application. Knowing things is important. Everyone needs a base of factual information. However, more than ever learning to assess the validity of information, knowing how reliable a source is and the interpretation of raw data are far more important. So, we may need to memorize less, but we need far more skills in assessment and application than ever before. As a result what I teach has changed considerably and for the better.
I am teaching a mechincal technical field. The one thing I get tired of is the question "Is there an app for that?". The new generation that has been brought up on instant everything is struggleing to live and understand in an alalog world. If the motor in your car is not running right the Technician needs to think and use their brain and knowledge to find out what is wrong. Trying to get students to understand that concept is the hardest. I show real world applications of how Critical thinking along with the scientific approch to understanding and resolving a problem is only found on one App their brain.We in secondary education are filling in the blanks left out by the public school system.
Jason,
I agree with your assessment of Gen Y students. In my courses, I have taken a different approach, in that I spend more time discussing how students can apply concepts and less time explaining them. By using this reverse style of instruction, it forces the students to "know" the concept, in order to apply it to a project.
Tremayne Simpson
I am a bit envious of this generation. They can do a simple search on their phone and have access to more information than they can use all within minutes. However, this technology should be used as a resource not a replacement for knowledge.
dawanna,
I agree. However, in many circumstances smart phones are increasingly useful in the workplace. Therefore, in some instances, I try to find ways to implement smart phone usage within the course. For instance, I use the "polling" application, whenever I want to survey my class during lecture. It keeps them engaged and gives them an opportunity to use their devices in class.
Tremayne Simpson
Students rely too much on their smart phones. They don't see the value in memorization. They need to know how to use all of their resources. Most employers prohibit the use of cell phones during work hours anyway.
