Teaching the Generation Y's are Easy
Today it is easier to teach the generation Y's because everythig uses some kind of technology and I'm was born with the generation x"s so I'm quite comfortable using technology.
I agree that the technology makes it easier to teach. The problem is keeping them focused on the classroom technology and not their own.
I have noticed over the last two years changing the format of my lectures from 45 min to a max of 20 min allows me to keep a class of gen y students attention. It also seems that the more I just provide the facts the more they pay attention. In my opinion this generation (y) seems to want to get to important info and move on. Short and to the point seems to work best. Like a YouTube video or a web search.
As generation Yer myself, I can say I was definitely spoon fed. I never had to think critically about anything until I got to college. Everything is Googleable. In teaching gen Yers, I find that they respond best to the things that they grew up with like Youtube videos. When teaching critical thinking and analytical skills, I find that they have a much easier time grasping the concepts if I start out by having them apply their critical thinking skills to a silly thirty-second cat video. Since it's familiar and fun, they're less resistant to the idea than they would be if I gave them an essay from Virginia Woolf. However, I've found that after a few silly examples, they're both willing and able to translate those skills to a more difficult text or problem.
Lisa,
yes, we have to keep it interesting, but I too have noticed with this generation that there seems to be a greater "desire/demand" for just the facts. Just tell me what I need to know for the test, don't bog me down with other details.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I am Gen X instructor, I teach ages from 18 on up in a technical Program.
The major age is 18-20. I find the Gen Y students don't have the drive or the want to take notes. They don't know how to write. They can text 50 million words a minute but they don't like to write on paper. They don't have money for gas to get to school, but they have an I phone 5s.
To me it seems like a lot of them have their priorities all messed up. I have to talk to them over and over again about grades.
Now with that I break up the classes and ask students a lot of questions and teach with visual so they can remember. I like to keep it interesting, if I see a lot of faces looking through me. I stop and change things up to make it more interesting.
David,
I agree that this generation is fun to teach & I think by handling the situations in a wise way, we can find success.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Wow, I thought it was just me. I agree that they have short attention spans and easily forget the rules. Problem solving can also be a problem. I agree that they need to put down their phones and pay attention in class. These things can be a challenge,, but I still enjoy teaching them.
Cynthia,
I've noticed this with my own children's work as well. The pendulum tends to swing & perhaps it will settle in the middle.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
My son is 8 and I have noticed in his current educational process he is required to provide a statement about how he got his answer and to show his work. Hopefully the spoon fed approach to the Y Generation is trying to be turned around for the next generation.
Jimmy,
this is a good point & I think points to the general consumerism mentality prevalent in our nation right now as well.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I totally agree with Roy. I instruct students on how to work on Harley Davidson motorcycles. I also have noticed if the students have to stray away from the manual then they have a hard time working through a problem. I feel that we have lost a whole gen or two to "just replace it" rather than service and repair. I have also found that they would rather Google it or watch it on youtube than read the service manual.
Michael,
critical thinking & reasoning are lacking among today's students. One of the great opportunities we have is to help them develop in this area.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I have the same problem with my students. Having them think through problems without google is very hard.They have a hard time understanding why they should do it on their own if the internet has the answer for them.
I can fully agree with all those comments. Looking forward to other lessons to find out how to deal with it.
Keith,
I'm not sure the idea is that the students themselves are necessarily easier to teach, but with the available resources we have it can help with the teaching.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Roy,
we do have to really work to help this generation think critically & analyze the variety of views & ideas that are out there.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Maria,
this is very difficult with this generation. Sadly it seems to be the desire to just get the info, rather than really thinking about it as you mention.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Teaching the Generation Y, seems like a spoon feeding because all information is so easy to find, there are a lot of sources that will feed the information. I have to find ways on how to make my students think critically. Hard.
Wow! I don't see Gen Y's as easy to teach at all!!! Btw, I guess you could place me in the Gen X group.
I find the Gen Y's (inside and outside of the classroom) to be self-serving, having very short attention spans, need to be constantly reminded of simple rules, usually late for appointments/class, and an unhealthy addiction to their cell phones.
Please enlighten me as to how these are easy barriers to overcome, or simply to work with.
Thank you!
