Lawrence,
Students need to be taught when certain types of communication (texting, professional, casual, etc.) is the right type. Serve as a role model and explain which communication is best for the situation. Thanks.
Erina ,
It is essential to help students understand when texting and social media communication is to be used and when proper professional communication is the proper tone. Thanks for your input.
Dr. Crews,
It's important to understand that generations plays a big role in online community, because as an instructor, you will have to change the delievery through email and explain instructions differently based on the generation gap between the students.
As a baby-boomer I understand why methods of communication are different. The mode of communication is different. My parents’ generation was one of news print and radio, our generation was one of radio and television, generation X is one of satellites and color television. The Y generation does not seem to have a method to engage in meaningful dialogue. The Y generation, I refer to as Ovaltine people.
We must adjust to accommodate these differences. If one wishes to communicate with the deaf, one would take up sign language. If one wishes to communicate with a different generation one should try their best to adjust. As an instructor, I should be aware of who could adjust more easily the teacher, the student, or both.
The youngest generations are influenced by brief, impulsive writing, such as when using a twitter account or posting on facebook. Professional writing and communications are key for a younger person's success. School is the perfect medium to hone the concept that professional writing should be structured, planned and edited.
The latest generation uses social networking technologies extensively. Many students tend to use short sentences and need help with building proper sentences and constructs. The instructor should focus on helping students articulate and research their ideas appropriately.
Mike,
I feel your pain. Ha! I emphasize grammar, spelling, civility, etc. They are all important in any course. Thanks!
I am what you call a baby boomer who grew up in school learning how to diagram sentences in 8th grade. My on line students and live students now have no idea what diagramming sentences includes. I make it a point to emphasize grammar and spelling, because misspelled words can cause you to lose a case. However, I am still frustrated that the younger age students use spell check too much as a crutch, and do not want to take the time to really see that their spelling and grammar is correct. Again, I emphasize these qualities in the syllabus and each week in the weekly summary.
Trina,
Each students is different and we need to help them improve upon their weaknesses and push their strengths. Thanks for your input.
Beth,
The more we understand our audience - our students - the better. Understanding basic things about each generation is very helpful. Thanks for your input.
Different generations have different skill sets and different characteristics.
Older students tend to have an amazing knowledge base, but sometimes lack basic computer skills.
Younger students usually are great with technology, but the course material and a professional environment may be new to them.
If you can identify the skill sets and knowledge base of the different students, it will be easier to offer them the help they need to get through the course.
It is important to understand the role generations play in communication in the online community for a number of reasons. One main reason is the differences in technological knowledge amongst students in the different generations. The students who have grown up with technology have a completely different comfort level with technology then those who are learning it at an adult age.
Another reason to understand the role generations play is the vast differences in students who write as they would text or speak, and those whose generation is accustomed to speaking and writing in a professional manner.
As an instructor you must make the students comfortable to share their difficulties with technology, and provide good examples of well written, professional communications.
Thomas,
Thanks for your input. I like the way you describe the generations and personality traits. Thanks again.
Understanding the role generations plays in communication for an online environment is essential to creating a dynamic and supportive classroom. Each of the generations approaches communication from a different perspective. The older generation is used to face to face communication as a primary means of communication. This brings in body language and tonal stressors as factors as to what is being said beyond the words themselves. The next generation has been using electronic communications as a compliment to traditional means and is comfortable with presenting ideas to support other means of communication using discussion boards, e-mail, and web cast. The new generation has grown up on electronic communication and is quite comfortable using this as the only line of communication.
Creating an environment where all of the generations can build from the online communications requires a framework of rules and guidance. The older generation may need fully developed sentences with punctuation and grammar rules being observed with the new generation quite comfortable using tech speak. Netiquette becomes crucial to ensure misunderstandings do not occur due to perceived slights with the use of color, capitalization or lack of, and lack of complete words to express ideas. The environment must be comfortable, for all attending, to ensure a positive learning environment is created and maintained.
David,
It is not easy, nor possible, to understand everything about everybody, but just as you noted, the more we understand our students, the better. Thanks for your input.
It really is important to understand the role generations play in communication in the online community because they can be significant. This can be especially true if your class is composed of all three generations and the discussion posts reflect substantive differences in opinions. I remember a discussion post response to a question about the glass ceiling with respect to women and minorities in the work force. The responses were all over the board and it was easy to relate the responses based on their relative age.
Nitin,
Just knowing our audience is important. Nice job.
This is important. A baby boomer may have a different reason to complete his/her degree than a GenX or Millenia student. This is based on maturity and life experiences.
The different generations may respond differently to how we communicate and this is important to keep in mind.
Michelle,
We can't say everyone in every generational group may act alike, but there are some generalities and it helps us understand our audience (our students) better. Thanks!
Understanding each generation allows us to best communicate with that group. This includes facilitating discussions and understanding their communication 'norms'.
