Gen Y students place a higher value on real life experiences. In my opinion, this could be the result of years of experiencing the world through a computer screen rather than true real life experiences in person. They want to hear about real life experiences from some one who has actually been there and done it so they feel more confident facing the world they are about to enter.
Joel,
this is definitely true. This generation is an entertainment driven group, for better or worse.
Dr. Ryan Meers
The gen Yers have been taught through entertainment from childhood, so they are in most cases less likely to respond to solid research because it is easier to just be entertained with the information.
Jaime,
I agree that the more we can demonstrate that real life experience & incorporate this into our lectures, the more they will listen.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Learning from others' experiences caters to the Y Generation because they are basically having the answers handed to them.
They don't respond to titles. They would rather see what you have to offer and how you've learned by doing. They also learn more by doing and not reading about it.
I believe that Gen Yers rather have an instructor with real life experience in their field is more important due to real facts. Gen Yers look at facts and data in order to make diligent dicsions. Incorporating real life work experience into the educational material helps them relate more to the course and their dicsion in their career path.
This method of learning is active, involved and can be diverse. It fits well with technology or dialogue based active learning activities. It can be integrated into many forms.
Shukmei,
yes, experiential learning is really key for these learners.
Dr. Ryan Meers
We have an evaluation at the end of each 3 week class. The students have an opportunity to write comments about their experience. The most positive comments come from students who have an instructor that is honest, caring and is having fun teaching the subject. The instructor has to meet the reuirements for the course (test and labs), but we want them to use their personal life / work experiences and their personality to make the class have value to the student. You can't keep this generation entertained and learning if you are not having fun yourself.
Experiential learning gives them an opportunity to have some ownership in their education
Jon-Paul,
I agree that this generation seems to respond best to experiential learning.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Because experiential learning can relate the learning material with real life situation that makes more common sense.
Because generation y can use the instructor's experience to relate with their learning. That makes more common sense.
goes against what they were taught and allows them to see through trial and error.
By nature experientail learning affect the student in a variety of ways. It stresses nimesthetic and visual modes of learning which are prefered for Gen Y'ers vs. previous generations that were more adept at visual and aural modes of learning.
They Like the instant gratification of the experience.
I agree lloyd. I also think that because of the story that comes along, it helps keep their attention.
Laudina,
yes there definitely seems to be an emphasis of "just let me get in there & try it."
Dr. Ryan Meers
Patricia,
yes experiential learning seems to be a very effective tool for Gen Y.
Dr. Ryan Meers
