Experiential Learning for Gen Yers
Why do Generation Y learners value experiential learning?
Generation Y learners value experiential learning as it plays on several key characteristics of their generation. Learning by doing is something that they have grown up with and has been enhanced through the use of video games which teach students that it is “okay to fail†as long as you learn for your mistakes and then fix it during the next try. Another reason is that students really enjoy the connectivity characteristic of their generation and experiential learning can be used for this through technology, group work, etc.
In response, I agree with you, the students are more alert and ready for discussion when the instructor is sharing real life experience stories to the subject matter in the course.
In response, I think Gen Y learners value experiential learning because its a mystery and fun to find out the outcome, they are not afraid to try, they don't need to read the manual of a device to figure out how to play the device, they learn and have fun as they go along.
They have already seen the video and answered the quick quiz, now they want to apply their knowledge. They like a hands on, inclass project to see "where they are at".
They are independent thinkers that prefer to seek out their own learning opportunities.
In order to maintain their attention levels it is important to integrate experiential learning opportunities within the classroom for the best results in retaining their level or impute within lecture and discussions.
Experiential learning is less boring than listening to a lecture. Also, doing a task may make additional neural connections in the brain than just observing. I do not consider myself primarily a tactile learner, but hands-on often help.
Yolanda,
yes, and it can really help the diversity of learners in your classes.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Angela,
and it can also give them good ways to remember key concepts.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
it keeps them involved. hands on (tactile) keeps them interested
They love the background, it can help them imagine the work themselves
I've only just become acquainted with Prezi, still at the theory level with no real practice yet. I'd hadn't considered the note-taking aspect. Thanks for the heads up!
Deep learning needs to have a balance of theory and application. Theory can be presented briefly by an instructor or through a textbook, but then most learners, and especially Gen Y, want to know "so what?" Why is this important? What can we do with it?
Instructor stories about applications, especially about situations gone wrong where knowledge of the theory provided the means to a solution, make those connections. It's even better when the stories come from the insructor's personal or next-door personal experience.
But Gen Y would prefer adding more direct experiential or personal application of the theory. If a learner can make direct and personal application of the theory, the learning goes in deep and stays there.
We all benefit from the "learn by doing" method.
They value it more because they can relate to the material, and it can hold their interest.
Greg,
I've found this too & it's great! They really like to bounce ideas around as they try & experiment & then come to the conclusion.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I think they like to learn and by experimenting and useful outcomes equals cool results. But they seem to use the instructor as the sounding board in their trials.
I think Gen Y learners value experiential learning, because it puts what they have learned academically into perspective. They don't want to learn just for the sake of learning, they tend to be on the more pratical side, seeking rlevancy in what they learn. They want to know how they can apply what they have learned to real-world experiences. That is why it is important to share your learning experiences with them, rather than what you can regurgitate from a textbook.
It allows them to be fully engaged in the activity, and it's easier to focus on a lesson if you're actively engaged in it, if you're doing it, rather than if you're sitting there being lectured to or reading something with the expectation that you will regurgitate that knowledge later.
