Barriers with Gen Y
Generation Y student seem to be the most difficult students to deal with, especially in classes that have all the generations represented. In settings where there is no technology allowed such as cell phones or laptop computers or any way to record the discussions, Gen Y students find it hard to adapt. This creates challenges less common in other generations. Gen Y requires directions repeated a number of times, and are not very good at taking notes. They seem to have a shortened attention span, and retention of processes is low. Group settings seem to help, and allowing them to make mistakes without condemnation is helpful. I have found no other remedies.
Jon ,
yes, they were raised on cheat codes & other short cuts so we must work hard to help them understand the importance of details & quality work & thinking through the process.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Gen Y students are more labor intensive for me to instruct as well. Their approach to learning seems to me to be a lazy approach, as they are always looking for shortcuts or quicker easier ways to get through the class. When instructing Gen Y students, I must always emphasize and insist on attention to detail. That does not seem to come natural for them.
ROBERT,
yes sadly I've noticed that there is a general fear of failure & we need to be encouraging them to learn from their failures.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Good point about the fear of failure. Gen Y seems to not want to try their best because they fear being told that they did it wrong and they should go back and try it again and because of this in some ways it stops them from being successful.
They are not developing one of the most important elements of any successful person. The ability to try something fails at it and go back and get it right. They are not developing grit. That elusive personality trait that ensures success.
Tom,
I think this is a great idea as it provides that balance & shows that you're willing to work with them.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Repetition is the key. As far as note taking, I let them use their tablets or phones to take note and pictures as we go. This seems to soothe them enough that they might learn something by accident. Just kidding. The tech does help a bit. They then can share their notes, pictures, etc. with other students.
In my experience with Gen Y students, they lack order and structure being said that they want fast result, and when they work it out, the work is "all over the page". This is so challenging to the teacher. There had been an established mind-set and to organize and set up a new organized way of thinking requires consistency in adhering to a structure or pattern that they can use.
To make them realize that they need structure in their thinking skills, I let them work it out their way and compare a work that follows from a pattern. Once they could see that they can solve a problem simply, correctly, and fast, and that they could understand without thinking too hard, then they recognize the need to have order and algorithm in their problem solving skills.
I'd agree. A lot of them don't seem to know how to take notes. I've had a fair number of students who don't even have a pen or pencil on them when it comes to test time. One thing that helps, as this course suggests, is having them work together on group projects. In my math classes I encourage the ones who understand the material to work one-on-one with those who are struggling. That seems to benefit everyone.
Similarly, they do their math homework from programs that come with the textbook, complete with videos and step-by-step demonstrations. After a few days most of them love this compared to sitting down with paper and pencil. Easier for me to grade, but I encourage them to come to class, or email me, with problems they are having in the homework. That helps too. So this seems to be a good example of using technology without letting it overwhelm the instructor (who increasingly feels like he has turned into his old high school teachers).
The Gen Y students need much repetition. One way that I have found that helps is to give a printed copy of the assignments for them to review. It makes more work for me, however, it reduces the frustration for the students, and me. I also find that the use of outlines for note taking helps this generation, and others!
This is so true. I find myself having to repeat myself over and over with my younger Gen Y students. It is quite frustrating.
I agree the group method plays into their strengths. I think they are afraid to be alone and try something and fail. In their world no one really fails. I also find that connecting the information in the class to their personal goals really helps break down the uncertainty.
John,
and this also ties into this generation's desire for that personal interaction/contact.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
We have the same problem. I try to engage the students one on one in the lab trying to find out what they hope to use the info for on a personal level.This seems to let the students know that knowledge can be adapted to more than just the course content.
