I have found that in my own teaching that I need to keep students focused and on task. The students need to be involved in the discussion, and I attempt to do role playing and hands on experimentation as much as possible. Students need to be actively engaged. I also feel that they need to be held accountable for the assignments and grades that they earn. They need help, at times, to focus on the task at hand, and take ownership of the work that they do. This involves extra planning and inspiration from the instructor to keep education in line with current needs in the workplace.
Jonathon,
and I think the more we share these stories, the more they respect that we know what we are talking about.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Have pictures and video's ready during lecture to help them stay entertained.
I agree with Willy, they seem to like stories that they can relate to, that helps them to see relevance in the material being presented.
Ryan that is the magic trick we all try to recreate in the classroom. Changing perception.
Keith,
they really are informed on a broad range of topics; now if we can get them to also think deeply about these topics.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I could not agree more. I too see where stimulation has to be constant. We as instructors have to keep the conversation going. I'm a Gen X'er and I find myself having to keep up on the lastest news, TV shows and tech stuff to be able to talk with students from Gen Y. It is about keeping up with the times.
Theresa,
they definitely enjoy the use of technology. I have recently had some Gen Y students tell me that they would like to see instructors using less technology. I find that very interesting, we'll see where that leads...
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I think that the class planning has to be changed in order to keep the attention and fufill the instant gratification of the gen Y students
That its true. When you have different generations in one class you have to constantly change your plan to meet everyone's needs.
I must include and use to the fullest ability all the electronic resources that accompany my textbook. Without the internet resources, online quizzes and games, I would have a difficult time keeping my students interest.
Michael,
yes, this can be a significant challenge when we are working with the older generations of learners.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I agree 100%, but I may be different in the sense that I am an instructor that is apart of the Gen Y group (I was born in 1988). I find that because I am apart of that group I have to do the reverse for my Boomers. I am not only teaching them the material being covered but how to use or understand the technology that im using to teach it.
Eloise,
it really is important to try & utilize the technology that is available in order to meet these learners where they are.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
The Generation Y Learners are "wired" to utilize and depend on technology, so implementation of technology's many tools -- Internet, gaming technologies (when applicable), interactive audiovisual presntations, as examples -- is recommended. Also, this generation of learners, being highly social, will learn better when teamwork and group interaction are the strategies utilized for the access of and exploration of the content being presented.
They impact learning because design and development of the program can be more effective if training methodogies encourage learning through technologies that the learner is enthusiastic and comfortable with...
Amy,
you make a great point here. While we want to meet the Gen Y learner where they are & provide that immediate feedback, it is vital that they also develop the ability to see the big picture & see how the individual parts fit into the whole.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Planning for a classroom of Gen Y has made me learn to teach in shorter sound bites. What I mean by that is I began as a teacher who stood in the front of my classroom and lectured. Now I use all the learning styles to have a better outcome and encourage students to have an "outcome" with each class. The big message is: Do you understand how this lesson is applied to your future workplace? Gone is the expectation that the students will sit back and eventually get it. Proof is required at the end of the class. I'm not a fan of this style of teaching...yet.
They like immediate feedback so shorter activities to keep them in the feedback loop may be helpful. However, it's important to teach them to assimilate the larger picture so that they also learn to problem solve.
I agree! The students are constantly looking to be entertained in and out of the classroom. In the age before technology, business students were expected to research subjects in books, write hand written papers, and present posters. In today's world, business students Google their project and create a 5 slide PowerPoint in half the time. Would it really be that bad to open a book? To Gene Y, it certainly would be!
