Working in Classroom with young and older students
I always find it challenging to address students of various ages. My classes have students from 17 - 65 all mixed together. If a student is younger, they are more interested in technological workflows. They prefer social media, computer software or websites like Moodle for class instruction, while the older students want a book, page number and a handout covering discussed topics. Furthermore, during lecture younger students are always engaged when I can bring popular music, movies, etc into discussion...but this is not well received by the older students who seem to enjoy a more straightforward teaching style. Im in my early 30s so I'm caught right in the middle. lol Any thoughts on how to bridge the generation gaps?
Charles,
Also, many times older students have significant life and/or work experiences that has taught them to follow directions, pay attention, be respectful, and often communicate when they are having difficulties.
Barry Westling
My experience is that older students are more eager to learn than younger students. This is probably because of the fact that older students "know" what they want are therefore they are more focused and less distracted.
Shawn,
I think the influence of life experience and past work experiences makes a big different. Older students with work experience are accustomed to taking and following directions, an event younger students may be missing. Younger students tend to have more recent academic experience but are more independent, many times not accustomed to professionalism, appropriate work and school behavior, and classroom expectations. Although easier said than done, I try to lay out the expectations I want, regardless of age or past history, then work with where there are deficiencies or difficulties with compliance.
Barry Westling
I work with students of all ages young and old those fresh out of High School and those that are towards the end of their working career trying something new. I see a big difference in their attitudes. The older adult learners have no patience for the younger immature students who have a tendency to be disruptive at times. Some of the younger students are eager to learn but some are not where as all adult learners seem to be motivated to learn.
Armando,
I like that you are interested in trying to serve all of your students needs, based on generational differences. Our instruction, at it's core, is based on the successful transfer of knowledge and perhaps skills, that can be applied in the workplace. For example, what I try to do is take each learning objective and think about what is the best way to convey what I know to these students (more often than not it's not PPT lectures). Of course this takes time, planning, and thoughtful creativity to derive a hit every time. What I do know however, is students of any age will be attracted to and want to be involved with activities that are interesting, doable, and fun.
Barry Westling
