Rhonda,
yes, I've found this generation to be highly participative when I can tap into a topic that they find interesting & relevant.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Almost all of my students are Gen Y. I teach Business Management classes. We focus/discuss generational management of employees to prepare them for success when they become managers in their careers. When I plan my lectures, I also plan questions to engage them in class about information presented and also application situations. They do want to express their opinions and openly communicate, not just with me in class discussions, but other students as well. It's a very different style of classroom than I had when I was in school/college, and I must say, I really like it and see opportunities.
Teri,
yes, we have a big job to do to build the trust & help them learn that we have something valuable to teach them.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Gen Y havd had an erosion of trust in athorities, and I assume that would include instructors as well. The good part on Gen Y, as far as I can tell is that they are seeking jobs that have meaning. A career college is a great institution to achieve a goal for them, and not just a paycheck.
Jeremy,
I don't think you are the lone wolf & I would agree with this. I've found that they, at first, might balk a little but really appreciate the stronger guidance.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I may be the lone wolf in my views on this topic but I find that the gen y students in my classes tend to thrive if I impose a slightly more rigid structure than they are accustomed to.
Andrea,
and it really is part of my job, as instructor, to be an engaging & interesting presenter.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
According to the module, Gen Y learners are easily distracted and constantly connected to their gadgets. I think they need to be stimulated enough and interested enough in how the course content is being delivered so that they may temporarily leave their texting and Facebooking gadgets alone. They need to be asked questions and get instant feedback. They like this instant feedback since they are used to getting it in the cyber world.
Shane,
and really this goes back to good public speaking skills as we should always be trying to maintain our audience's attention.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Thomas,
excellent point that you make here. We should not be afraid of the technology, yet we need to help our students recognize the limitations of the technology.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I agree...especially in lecture classes. I find that I have to be entertaining just to get their attention. I realize that these students are more interested in the studio classes (radio broadcasting). If I don't engage the class with a little humor and relating the information to things they already know about, my class is going to be a long three hours...for both the students and me.
As a member of the Boomer Generation, I've definitely had to adjust my style in my over 20 years of teaching. Noise is now less of a problem, but laptop surfing and cellphone texting distractions can be hidden issues. That means I need to stay interactive and use a variety of resources-Power Points, Videos, even Jeopardy-style Test Reviews. But I also try to stress to them, that while they have greater access to more information than ever before, they still need to sort out facts from opinions and not jump to conclusions. To maintain credibility, it's been crucial for me to stay as technologically advanced as possible.
Susie,
yes, I've found that this is a great approach. And the reality is that they will work in jobs that do not require memorization (by & large) but they need to know how to access & filter information.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I had not thought about boredom previously. I had noted two almost distinct groups in Gen Y. One group that would be pretty mush as described in the material presented here. The other appears totally uninvolved and wants everything handed to them. In terms of classwork presented, the attitude is mostly you are here to teach me, why haven't I learned. This while homework is undone, attention during class waders to the cell phone. It appears that they are bored with anything that does not produce instant enjoyment.
I find that active learning works much better for these students. They are used to finding their own answers. I do a lot more activities where students can get up, move around and explore.
Mary,
this is very true & we can't sit back & expect them to come to us, but rather we must make an effort to reach them in the most effective way possible.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Mike,
agreed & the lecture is just one part of the overall package that we need to bring to our students to help them grasp the big picture & the core of what we wish them to get.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Generation Y learners comprise most of the students in our current classrooms. A failure to understand their learning characteristics may result in less than effective instruction.
Yes the idea that we can present the "big idea" through a interesting lecture that is full of insight probably will not work. There is a lot more preparation and thought needed for the delivery of material with this group.
Generation Y Learners tend to be a NOW generation. Long lectures do not appeal to them. They would rather google the information for a quick answer then decide if they agree. Opinion plays a large role in their learning.
