Wayne,
yes, often the difficulty is what we view as a problem, they see as convenience. Also, often we label them as lazy, when they would see it as efficient & resourceful. We need to make every effort to meet in the middle with them.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I believe that technology has impacted every part of the Gen Y’s life. Education is only one aspect. While some view this as a “shortcut†this may not be the student’s perception. When technology is used this saves time. These students have information at their finger tips and know how to use it.
I agree that many of these students need to become savvy and educated it the use of some Web sites and using information. Some do not know the difference in the use of peer reviewed journals and Wikipeia. It is our responsibility to educate them. When we see this everyday it seems like an endless battle.
Nicholas ,
I would agree that there are definite challenges with Gen Y & their attention; this is where we must be very careful in our planning.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Gen Y students have every piece of information they could ever want at the fingertips, whether through laptops, TV, or iPhones. They seek instant gratification and have a tendency to give up when certain items take practice, time, and hard work to accomplish. Instead of figuring out how to use a fax machine, they can google it.
Technology is wonderful......unfortunately, it doesn't teach students to think on their own.
It's easy to press buttons
Because they are used to having information readily available to them they have a hard time staying focused if a problem requires a long time to solve, or if they have to search too hard.This becomes a problem in some very technical areas.
Many students of that generational cohort, expect quick results, and immediate rewards. Sometimes they are harder to keep engaged in the lesson.
I feel that they expect to much and they don't know how to reference information if it's not available to them on the enternet. They don't want to have to work to hard to acheive there goals.
It has completly made them in many areas a slave to technology. It has affected their fine motor skills when writting. Many do not know the difference between cursive and printing. Also they need (Word) to produce any project.
I feel it is harder to connect to the student. They are less attentive and prefer to grt info in their own time as opposed to classroom instruction. Also reading, writing, and interactive discussions seem to be a thing of the past, a lost art.
Coming from the boomer generation, I have seen my grandchildren (generation y)do there homework and testing on computer. What really amazed me is my 5 year old grandaughter can actually manipulate her fathers phone to play games, and look at family pictures. They are so much more advanced. All four of my grandchildren have cell phones with connections to the internet. They receive immediate answers. They also will not part with their cell phones.
Mary Cornelius
Brandy,
I would agree that now, more than ever, it is important to use a variety of styles.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I think technology has framed Gen Y to be learners of multiple styles. Not only are these students engaged by auditory and visual situations, but also, they learn well from a tactile learning environment. Therefore, it is important to integrate all types of teaching styles into the classroom for this generation.
Christian,
I personally do not allow my students to use any social networking during class. While I allow web searches & laptops for notes, etc I cannot see a need to have them on FB or other sites during class.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Gen Y students are expected to take charge of their own learning more so than previous generations. This is easier for those students who have clear ideas about their future career direction. For others, time management often becomes an issue and a struggle.
Given Gen Y's 'addiction' to social media (especially Facebook) - to what extent is it worthwhile to discourage or 'forbid' such use in the classroom?
I think technology has helped them to learn. These students can multi-task and know how to research. Lisa
Mark,
yes, because of the availability of information, it seems a struggle sometimes for this generation to stay focused on the task at hand.
Dr. Ryan Meers
ILEANA,
thank you for demonstrating ways that we can incorporate the technology into our courses to best help these learners.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Maintaining relativity of the topic and approach and recognizing peer group pressures are necessary with Gen Y.
I agree, and in every course I teach one of my first assignments is to discern credible websites. I also give them a list of websites that are not credible and cannot be used as a source for course assignments.
