Marilyn ,
yes & this is why we need to help them learn appropriateness now as it can cost them their jobs later on.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
It is true, they want to be connected and entertained so much that they have a hard time focusing on the task at hand. Mixing up the methods of teaching helps. At work the gen y's have a hard time staying off their cell phones.
Scott,
this is a good point & more research is pointing to this. I realize we may bemoan the fact that kids don't pay attention for as long anymore, however, there is also the current reality in which we must teach.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Ted,
and this method really does help with retention of information, as it allows the acquisition then the processing of the information.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
A couple weeks ago I was watching the Today Show and the topic of conversation was how today's children learn differently them previous generations. The comments made were related to the amount of time that children spend watching TV, playing video games and or time spent on their smart phones. Ultimately what it came down to is that students today are continuously stimulated by some form of technology which moves very fast. This frequent stimulation makes the brain think quickly and if not continuously stimulated they get bored and or become “un-engaged†which sometimes may be confused with ADD. The fast paced world that we live in is continuously providing stimulation and if we, as educator are using old instructional methods, i.e. “tribal-knowledge†(what worked for us will work for the next generation), our students are going to lose interest and lose focus. The question that stemmed from this news topic was do we really have a problem with ADD or is the problem really that the “younger brain†thinks faster and needs to be stimulated in different ways?
If we reflect on this issue, it seems to make very good sense....20 years ago children played outside and had to make their own games and create their own fun. Today it is so easy for children to find something to keep them busy with a variety of games on the internet, gaming system, TV or phones. Don't get me wrong I don't necessarily think this technology is a bad thing; it is just a different era and a delivery of information. As educators we must realize that if we do not continuously stimulate and engage our students we are losing efficiency and productivity. We must utilize and take advantage of what technology has to offer. Long lectures and memorization are no longer effective; there is a balance of instruction that utilizes lecture, video, team work, student interaction and cooperative learning. We must continuously "switch gears" to emulate the fast pace and stimulation that student receive outside of the classroom.
In the classroom I find that information delivered in lecture format must be provided in small segments, interspersed with demonstrations, lab exercises, or other "hands on" activities. Providing the opportunity for learners to describe the newly presented information verbally (an oral quiz; "tell me/show me")helps them make the information their own.
I agree that ADHD was around during the 50's and 60's but we did not have a clear understanding of how it would effect our lives and teaching. I believe that it is a topic with much discussion now, and I do find myself looking at different techniques to use in the classroom so that we can reach more of our students needs.
The live in an Instant gradification world, this is what they have always known.
Because they are used to immediate gradification as far as getting answers to any question, etc we have to keep things moving at a quicker pace & keep it "entertaining" or the students will start "zoning out" & start using their laptops & cell phones for games, etc rather then focusing on the lesson at hand.
Ziaul,
I'm not sure I understand exactly what you're asking so I give it a couple of answers.
1) If you mean as Gen Yers age do their characteristics vary, I would say yes as part of what we see is due to their youth & they are growing & maturing & so some of this is related to being young.
2) If you are referring to where they fall in the Gen Y band, I would also say yes there is variation. Those who are the earliest in a generation band are often very similar to both generations.
Hope that helps.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Cindy,
yes, this is a great use of the groups as it encourages the listening to & understanding of a diversity of viewpoints.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I think this is a good point, but I think we assume to much about this generation; that is, to assume that they are excellent multitaskers and need to move quickly from one subject to another before they get too bored.
When we let Generation Y students dictate the pace of the course, they tend to get frustrated because, like other human being as apposed the machines, they are not able to fully digest the information when it is cover too quickly and they end up asking you to repeat information that should have be read before class or asked at the time the information was cover (while they were looking at their cell phone) and they expect extra tutoring to cover the information they should have been paying attention to in class instead of checking their Facebook page.
Do the Gen Y characteristics vary by age?
I am inspired to encourage more personal sharing and interaction during group actitivies rather than just having students gather and present facts in order to add value and meaning to the activites.
Being new to teaching as a second career and an early "Boomer", the Y gen is a challenge, but I'm enjoying the challenge!
They tend not have any respect for the learning processes of others, they only think of what is in it for themselves. Not very respectful of others, very selfish generation.
Jason,
this is a great point & one we can all learn from. I think the key is to demonstrate to Gen Yers that they don't have to use technology in every situation.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I have found that I can reel these students in by performing like a stand-up comic. Once they see learning can be fun - without total reliance on technology - I carefully integrate traditional styles of teaching. Overall my students respond greatly to this.
Yes it has been a challenge for me as an educator. The majority of my students are from the Y generation. I come from the X generation.
Innocent ,
this is very true. I don't believe we always have to have the latest & greatest, but we should be showing the Gen Y students how to incorporate technology & that we are willing to do so.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
