We generally have a good range of ages in our classes. And I do find that the older students do bring a lot of experience to the table. But one thing I have seen is that they are more critical of the instructors at times as the majority of the older students we have already have a degree and this is a second (or third) career for them. So they judge the instructors by what they were like in their other school(s).
Garry--
Older students do, typically, do better and are much more focused. They do also come with a great deal of hesitation that everyone else will be smarter. That is probably because they assume that everyone else will be younger and have had more recent formal educational experience. If they have been 'out' of school for some time they worry they will be behind the curve. As you point out, they generally do as well or better because they have gained a great deal of focus and time management skills.
Susan
Do you think this is specific to your institution? Or is this merely a problem of our age?
That's an excellent point Charles. I've noticed the same thing in my courses. Have you found them to sometimes be complimentary as well though?
It's a very odd thing that this is true because, ironically, older students do better in my experience. They seem to be more focused and attentive to the nuances of assignments.
Most here said is true of older students, but many of the younger students want to know what the older ones did "wrong" to be retraining at thier age. Most older ones are good in class, but they have a great deal of difficulty dealing with the attitudes and ways of the younger generations. I often find myself explaining the youth of our school to the more seasoned students. In class the older ones tend to lag, while they excell in lab and professional areas. "Fitting In" does not seeem to be a real big problem at our facility, we have a very narrow realm of study, so everyone is here for the same purpose.
I too enjoy having older students in my class room , I look to them to be leaders especially in a lab situation where safety is a concern.
They certainly mentor the younger students.They also set a good example for working hard and having good attendance.
Scott--
Absolutely correct...and the older students learn from the older ones as well. It also creates an a realistic environment for the workplace.
Susan
I too love my older students. They add stability to the classsroom as far as setting good examples to the younger students. They are constantly adding "real life" scenarios into the everyday discussions and the younger students seem to feed on this very well. The best thing my "older students" add is a good solid work ethic, they attend school every day and it is finally rubbing off on the younger students and they too have much better attendance because of the committment and work ethic they see from the older students.
Older students add real value to the classroom...they bring some 'real life' perspective and experience that is very helpful to the younger students. And they are great mentors!
Susan
I love my older students and what they bring to the classroom. They set a professional example for the younger more inexperienced students by their dress, work ethic, attitudes and their attendance.
Very true...and we are experiencing the same things in the workplace. That is one thing we can do in education, but letting them work together in ways in school that will prepare them for the 'real world'.
I think what most of us struggle with is actually understanding the foundational thinking between the groups. Each generation thinks differently and values things uniquely. Perhaps some information provided to all groups on the generational differences would be helpful.
Krista and Susan;
Both of you have excellent points. At our campus, we have had mixed success with older and younger students. While each group has it's qualities and advantages, sometimes the challenge of overlapping them is difficult. "Gen Y" students have unique characteristics and expectations which in many cases are not the same as traditional or older students. As a result, finding an acceptable process can be difficult.
Krista--
Absolutely correct. The older student bring more 'life skills' and the younger a whole other set of skills. Both are important. And teaming them up is a great 'real job' scenario.
While I agree that older students have a tendency to mentor the younger students, I also have seen the reverse hold true. Many times the younger students have stronger computer skills than the older students. This give-and-take situation tends to foster stronger classroom cohesiveness.
Robert--
A great opportunity, perhaps for a mentoring program.
Susan
You are correct. We also have many older students in our school. The older students do bring with them a great deal of lifetime experience not yet gained by the younger students. I have often seen that the younger students look to the older class members for guidance.
I am currently a "Older" student in a local college. I am 31. I used to have this fear before, but after my first semester in school I have come to realize that the younger people do come to the veterans for advice and guidance.
I agree! Our older students have less confidence, but the seem to work harder.
I agree older students feel that the will not do as well in school and younger students.
