William,
that's true. Different generations look "into the future" differently. Some live for the future and some live for the moment. Thanks for your input.
Zakaria,
We all communicate differently, learn differently, and want to be appreciated for who we are. So, understanding generations and our students is a good thing. Thank you.
Melinda,
There are many reasons that there could be misunderstandings, but we must do what we can to alleviate what we can. Understanding others is a huge step in the right directions. Thanks!
Lance,
It's good to get that information from your students. The more we know about them, the better we can teach to meet their needs.
Thanks!
Each generation also has a different vision of where they want to be. I found as a professional in government that Gen X tended to have less patience for succeeding that Baby Boomers who knew they had to work their way up to success.
Each generation has different skill sets and expectations. Baby Boomers usually lack technical skills as they are more familiar with traditional communication forms and hey expect to be able to use what they have learned immediately. Gen X have some basic tech skills and are in a hurry to succeed in whatever they are doing. Gen Y have great tech skills but not good social skills as they primarily communicate using technology instead of person to person. Each one will have different abilities and be looking for different things from the course.
Beth,
Right - we are all different in so many ways. Using that mix approach is a good idea. Teaching a variety of learners takes a variety of teaching methods as well. Thanks!
Amanda,
You are so right. We are all different and the more we understand each other and out students, the more improved the learning can be. Nice job.
Emry,
It's simply a way to better understand our students. Thanks for the great examples.
In general, students learn differently and now, generations of students have learned to learn differently. Because there are so many variables between age differences, it is important to be able to address them in a way that maximizes the student's ability to absorb the information. Using tools that are functional, appropriate and engaging will varying from group to group. But yet, a class may have a wide range of student ages. Therefore, using a mix of options or providing easy to understand instructions on how to use various tools and navigate the classroom, will be imperative.
I think it is important in any work situation. Cultural differences affect the way people interpret their own roles, and those of others. Misunderstandings come from assuming that everyone thinks the way you do!
Hello,
It's important to understand the role generations play in communication in the online community because that will give the teacher the knowledge to know what to expect from their learning styles and communication styles, and it will guide the teacher to know how to better respond to each generation and carry through with a particular communication method.
Amanda
Generations play a part in communication due to their ability to understand an online community. Its important to find out your students ability to use a commputer, asking them questions such as do they have a facebook, twitter account. How often do they use a computer, how many times a day they use their computer.
The fact is, different generations communicate differently, especially after the expansion of smartphones that has the remarkable features, which besides the “basic†voice communication, they can be used for email, texting and in some cases tweeting. Online educations involves people with different ages and we, as online instructors, were in some cases we find ourselves in more than one group, and if we don’t understand how to communicate with our different age students, we will not be able to create a successful online learning community, or may not be of much help to many of the students. The fact is, each of these different age groups is clearly different in how they communicate with the world around them. So, knowing the communication styles of different generations will help the instructor provide differentiated instruction, and thus can be used to create a better learning environment.
Zak Saleh
It is important to understand the role generations play in communication due to the fact that as instructors, we need to be able to communicate with all learners. In online learning, there is a vast population that are on different learning levels, especially when it comes to technology. By properly understanding each generation, we can address and assist each generation with their particular needs. For example, I have many baby boomers in my courses so I have to tailor my instructions in a particular way--providing study guides that provide step by step instruction to complete a task. Other forms of communication with this generation that I do is via telephone. I find this communication effective with baby boomers because they feel a personalized connection with the instructor. These phone sessions include live opportunities over the phone with the instructor to answer questions or go over an assignment.
Cheers
Emry
It is important to understand the generations because it will help in recognizing what techniques will work best for the student type.
It is important to understand the role generations play on online communication so that the instructor can ensure that he or she communicates effectively with all students, regardless of their age and technological skills.
Nicole,
Excellent. We are all different and considering each student is important. Thank you.
Why is it important to understand the role generations play in communication in the online community?
As an instructor I need to understand the communication differences between generations. This helps me to understand how to instruct different students. I will understand how to modify my communication with each generation. I understand that I will have to take my time with baby boomers. They’re usually not tech savvy and will need assistance, while my millennial students will only want to communicate by email or text.
Michelle,
You bring up some very good points. We, as instructors, do have to carefully consider all generations and various learners in our classes. Thanks!
