Generational differences are going to influence your discussions because they will approach it from different generational influences.
I think this is wonderful because they can learn from each other, if you can get them talking. One other thing is understanding the generational influence of the instructor. I am a baby boomer...I have to try to remember the Gen Xers and Millennials.
The Gen Xers need encouragement, the Baby Boomers just need to know they are doing it right! The Millennials need directions and direct prompts to keep them on task.
When the instructor is aware of all these differences, she/he can keep it all moving.
During the introduction phase I am able to determine the class makeup. This has allowed me to modify the communication possesses providing feedback as well as the content. It also helped me establish the preferred method for private contains.
OK, having just sat in on a session on ADA compliance, are your recordings transcribed and closed captioned? Whooooaaaahhhh, there goes another wrench in trying to add more media and resources into our online classes in a quick and efficient manner!
Thoughts anyone?
Dif generations have different skill sets and strengths with respect to technological, social, communication, etc capacities. Just as we try to incorporate/engage different learning styles in our classrooms, we should be mindful of dif gens.
The importance of understanding the role generations play in communication in the online community is so that you will know how to relate to the students and so that communication is not lost between S2S, S2I, and S2S. The goal is to have effective communication in the community.
Because understanding where a student "comes from" generationally will help you understand the undertones of their message, probably things they are not even aware of. The same message is understood very differently by an aware instructor when you know if the student is a Boomer or a Gen Y. Dealing with a mix of these in the workplace, I understand clearly how differently I need to interact with them. Understanding this is the difference between good communication and complete frustration!!
Ted,
It's important to understand out students in general - no matter what generation. We can all learn from each other.
Thanks!
Deana,
Right - the better we understand our audience - the students - the better we can provide content and engage all students. We may not all fit directly into each generation, but there are some generalities. Thanks!
It is important to understand that the older generations have experience in professional and social interactions, however, less with technology. The younger generations are tech savvy but may have less overall life experience. Knowledge of this helps the instructor to provide the appropriate guidance.
Generational roles are essential to understand in the online (and traditional) community because each generation operates differently when it comes to communication (written and verbal). Understanding how each generation differs can impact your role as an instructor. Baby Boomers may not be sufficient on the computer and may need help with how to post posts. They may also provide insights into specific questions. Further, they may take on a more leadership role within the discussion boards. Further, GenXer's may avoid communication, at all costs, if it interfers with their time. GenY's may use inappropraite forms of communication, so it is important for instructors to be clear in expectations of written communication.
Alana,
We are all different, yet maybe some people in certain generations are not exactly like we think they are, but there are some generalities. It's good to know our audience. Thanks!
Hi Dr. Crews
It is important to understand the role generations play in an online community due to small groups and other assignments online that you work with others. For group projects online, time zones and generations can play a role. Some generations love to be team leaders and other generations never want to be leaders.
Thanks
Alana
Kristin,
Right on. The more we understand our audience - our students - and generational/personality roles, the better we can provide content and help students learn. Thanks for your information also to help us think about the hurdles.
It is important to understand the role generations play in communication in the online community. A person's age is indicative, in general, of his/her comfort and ability to use certain technology and communication tools.
Older students often have basic issues with the online platform. Using tools, uploading documents, using basic programs -- all of these can be obstacles to learning. If a student is not comfortable in the learning environment, he/she will not learn as readily because the focus is on how to to navigate the course, not the content of the course. There can also be issues regarding appropriate email communication and techniques with much older students who are used to a more personalized approach and who don't know how to navigate technical issues.
The youngest students tend to be the ones who use texting language for all communications. Sometimes the issue is not the technology at all, but providing context about audience, tone, and other basic netiquette rules. These students need more help with basic writing and punctuation, not the technology. They can also be very dominating in an online classroom, having a chatbox comment for everything, which is distracting, not helpful.
Basically, it doesn't matter what the age of your student is. Assume there will be some type of hurdle based on that age. Every person has individual hurdles, and age plays one role in those technologically related hurdles.
Amy,
You are so right. Convenience is mentioned all the time when asked why students take online courses. And, you are doing a good job by "listening" to them online to decipher their generation by what they say/do. It's not perfect, but it helps.
Thanks for your input.
The convenience of online learning lends itself to a variety of generations in the classroom. I've had students as old as 75 and as young as 18 in the same class. Each generation has different communication styles, strengths and weaknesses and it's our job as instructors and facilitators to best meet the needs of each student. This begins with understanding and accomodating their communication styles.
The hard part is when an online class starts you have no idea what generation a student falls under because many times we only have their name. If we're lucky the student has completed an online profile which may or may not give us an idea of their generation. But many times they haven't. This is why I require students to post an introduction on the discussion board. They are not required to divulge their age, but many times I can determine their generation by how they have introduced themselves either by their communication style and/or their discussion of their family members. One student may tell us they are a grandmother of six ages 4-21, and another student may tell us they live with their parents and three younger siblings ages 10-16.
Sodang,
Thanks for bringing up the different learning methods. You bring up a very good point and give us something to think about.
It is important to understand student generation for effective communication because each generation has different learning style. Furthermore, each generation has different learning methods, example... using books or Google as references, different content of language, prefers eBooks to hard-copy books.
Daron,
Yes, the better you understand your audience, your students, the better you can provide information/content to them in a fashion that suits their learning styles. Nice job.
Having a basic idea of who your students are is important because you will address them differently. The Baby Boomer may not be as internet savvy so the communication will be basic, when moving through the GEn-X and GEn-Y students, they are so familiar with electronics and can race through technology with little to no problem. Understanding who you are dealing with is the most important factor, read their introductions so you can get that background information to move forward.
