My younger students appreciate a combination of strategies ranging from lots of hands-on practice,group activities, and discussing my experiences (both positive and negative) in the field. I do agree that, once Gen Y learners see the value of a specific class or topic, they are eager to learn and jump into the pool. Their vitality in the classroom is refreshing and makes it more fun to teach.
Kathleen ,
yes, the use of discussion or conversation is a great strategy. In fact, I've heard it said that adults learn best by conversation.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I ask for student experience and not just content on a topic. This stimulates discussion and sharing of opinions.
I agree that Gen-Yers like discussion. I consciously nurture it, but with some ground rules. No one can be made fun of or ridiculed. All ideas are worth considering, even if we eventually reject some. All students must be treated with respect. We are all on the same team, all judged on how well we help each other. Since I teach writing, I periodically try to use discussions to support what I teach about rhetorical styles such as persuasive, descriptive, cause-and-effect, narrative, and comparison and contrast. We also periodically discuss how these communication skills will help students get and keep jobs. It's all part of being relevant and practical. I don't want students to think our discussions are off-track or irrelevant.
Gwendolyn,
yes, these varied methods can really pull them into the course material & the teaching.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Gwendolyn,
yes, these varied methods can really pull them into the course material & the teaching.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Some strategies for engaging Generation Y is the internet, social media sites, because they are technological savvy and value connectivity.
I come up with online treasure hunts for them to find answers to what we are talking about in the chapters online. It gets them googling the things we are going to be talking about.
Shaun,
this is a great teaching method & also one that I've found works really well with Gen Y learners.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Greg,
yes and helps them to learn to accurately express their ideas & opinions.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Melissa,
this is a good idea & can help them compare & contrast the various answers.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I too use open ended questions but follow-up their answers (which are often patient treatments) with: why did you choose that treatment, what is your justification for choosing that treatment? What if you see no change after that treatment? It helps them with learning the clinical decision making process which they will be faced with daily.
I have them work in teams to solve different case study's and present their findings to the class.
better to incorporate computer assistant learning using apps and games since they can relate to it better.
I firmly believe by asking their opinions and what their experience is with a specific topic encourages participation. It shows that you are interested in what they have to say.
I wait for more than on student to answer a question before I give them my feedback on their answers. This is to get more people engaged in the class.
Chelsea,
this is a great way to help the students develop critical thinking skills.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I like to use group discussion with expected answers giving that they have to defend or deny for higher leverl rational and fore thought of other side.
I also like using open ended questions. It helps keep them focused by making them feel involved in the lesson. It also allows me to find any points that I may need to reinforce or reword.
Most of the classes that I teach are studio design classes. The students are very engaged and enthusied working on the projects, but I have noticed that the cell phones appear whenever the lectures are too lenghty. I now limit the lecture time and mix in group activities. The students enjoy the group interaction, and we started team projects in our Business Class which typically has been long lectures. It works well.
