Earle,
Good point. It's good to understand where the students are coming from so we can move forward together.
Thanks!
All students have different starting points and we have to meet them where they are. It is one more tool for us to be able to help the student become succesful.
Jacqueline,
You provide a nice description of the generations and I like that you use words like encouragement. You seem to know your audience and teach appropriately. Nice job.
Because just like in face to face social interaction, sometimes different generations need a little been of help and encouragement in order to work seamlessly together. Each generation has its strengths and weaknesses. For example, in the last class I taught, I had a Baby Boomer that bought her first laptop to take online classes. She was always late when it come to discussions because she had so much trouble with the new technology. On the other side of the spectrum, I also had a student just out of high school that did not understand it was not appropriate to write on the discussion board like she was texting her friends. All of these issues have to be solved, so that every student can have the best experience possible with the discussion board.
Cynthia,
Thanks all for continuing the conversation. It's good to discuss and show poor communication examples as well as good communication examples. Nice job.
Cynthia,
WOW! Thanks for sharing. It sounds like you really have a plan for addressing different learning styles and getting to know your students.
Thanks!
I agree Jane and Marie that technology is affecting students' communication skills. I discuss examples of poor communication versus good communication skills with my students through our discussion forums and live chats. I provide guidelines on proofeading and editing work, which includes common mistakes and errors.
I wish more students would pay attention when posting discussions. They seem to forget that capitalization and punctuation should be used correctly in all online communication, including discussion board and Email communications.
Cynthia
As educators, we are expected to understand different learning styles so that we can appeal to learning styles in the classroom materials and in our instruction. I believe also understanding different roles generations play in communication is another area we need to appeal to in designing classroom materials and in our instructional delivery.
For example, understanding that baby boomers may struggle with technology, I include tech support phone number and Email in my Syllabus and in my signature line in my Email. In addition, the virtual classroom includes video tutorials to show students how to submit an assignment, post a discussion, access the library, and so forth in anticipation of students' challenges in this area.
Generation Xers, which is my own generation (1961-1981) are easy for me to appeal to because I share the same characteristics as they do. With this group, I know that a fast turnaround on responses to their questions in discussion will please them and keep them engaged in the course. I also know that they must know that an assignment is of value in relation to upcoming assignments as they progress through the course.
Millennials must have expectations for online communication spelled out and held accountable. No text talk allowed in my course. Proofread and edit all online communication!
Yet, all of these roles overlap. I prefer to create material and deliver instruction that will appeal to all learners and all generations.
Cynthia
Elizabeth,
Each generation has different strengths and weaknesses, just like all students. Understanding our students helps us, as instructors, reach all students.
Carolyne,
Yes and the better we understand our audience (the students), but better we can provide content in a better format to help students reach the learning outcomes. Whether synchronous or asynchrounous, students can learn in a variety of ways.
Perry ,
Using professional examples can help students understand the importance of grammar, spelling, etc. Nice job.
Perry ,
Understanding the generations is basically the same as understanding your audience - the students. I like the part in your forum about investigating how students "Think Reply Interact Reason." Nice job.
Hello Tena,
It is important to know the roles generations play in the communication in the online environment because each generation was exposed to a different way of life. There are many people who are in the workforce that were around before computers were popular while you can have the newest generation that is so envolved with technology they often times lack social skills.
At times, these can be barriers unless we understand what we are dealing with when we come together in an online community. Once we understand what the generational gap may be, we can all communicate with each other with respect this will help us use what we all bring to the table as individuals to foster greater methods of learning.
Elizabeth
Understanding the role generations play in communication allows the instructor to better understand the communication process of the student. I post on a regular basis tips on how students might make their posts more meaningful and informative in the Discussion forum such as linking videos or tutorials to their post. I try to set an example in my posts to the students. I also stress that punctuation and typing is important. I know there are some students in our synchronous seminar that are hesitate to post in the chat area. I don't put pressure on these students. Listening is also important as we go through the seminar. Understanding the generation differences is another way to help students succeed in an online course.
Mike,
I recall diagraming, which is different now for English majors in colleges or at universities! I think the process has become complex! I appreciated and enjoyed reading your feedback because you noted that grammar and proper mechanics are basic skills necessary for students to have.
In course rubrics, grammar and mechanics are often included as areas of point values. I like to emphasize often, also, that proper communication include the use of both, and I have seen different students from different age groups or backgrounds not understand why grammar and mechanics are important. I like to use professional examples for clarity. Thank you for sharing your feedback in this discussion!
Sincerely, Perry Spann
Greetings!
It is important to understand the role generations play in communication in the online community to be certain to communicate effectively. Communication is an important element to having good learning outcomes in online classes.
When you understand the roles, you can compose and create or edit communication to reflect how the learners of that audience may:
Think
Reply
Interact
Reason
The consideration is to be of help with approaching students of certain backgrounds using the proper tone and diction. Researching the generational influence can be positive for online course facilitators who want to help improve engagement and discussions in classes online for students and about coursework. Thank you for asking.
Sincerely, Perry Spann
Colleen,
We simply have to understand our audience and our audience is our students. You are so right. Thanks for your input.
It is important to understand the role generations play in communication because different generations view things differently, communicate differently, and have different points of reference. When I started teaching, I was not much older than most of my students, and in come cases younger than my students. Now, most of my students are the same age as my children. There are examples I give about things that were big events in the 90's or early 2000's, that my students have no knowledge of, because they were so young at that time. It is important to know your audience.
Dr. Vicki,
You bring up some very good points. The main thing is that we try to understand our audience and our audience is our students. Thanks!
Hi Dr. Crews: This is a great question. It's important to understand the generational differences because they exist! And in two of the MEd classes I facilitate, I spend a whole chat discussing them. (In fact, I've suggested that my school(s) have an in-service on this topic as well.) It's fascinating. But insofar as communication is concerned--online or live--no matter what the person's generation is, if s/he has earned a college degree (or a graduate degree), to avoid hearing from their employer ("You got your degree/master's degree from where?")then good "scholarly" writing is expected. Vicki W
