Grading Generation Y students
Our Generation Y students ability to reason is far less than the Generation X abilities. We need to understand that they are computer savvy and the don't need to reason, everything they need is on google. We need to revamp or teaching strategies and test giving skills for this group.
Hi Vanessa,
My gen Y students have had mixed results. Some are very computer savvy and "get" new technology very quickly (I teach web design). Others use the Internet all the time, but they limit their use to only emails and checking on Facebook. They don't realize the infinite knowledge they have at their finger tips. In my classes I put emphasis on developing skills to be self-reliant problem solvers. For example, if they can't figure out an HTML skill, I'll encourage them to Google it so they learn how to solve problems by themselves.
yes, sadly, this is true. I often wondered in Sunday School what was meant by the saying that each generation gets wiser and WEAKER!!! NOW I know because today's students can not THINK to do MATH. I was at a McDonald's and the system had gone down. The cashier did not understand what $8.34678 meant and kept doing my order. Finally, before I killed my own self from internal laughter, I asked the young girl what was wrong. She told me that the CALCULATOR kept giving her all of THESE NUMBERS!!! I thought that I would DIE a certain death. However, I merely smiled and said let us start over. Of course, we got the same outcome and THEN I EXPLAINED TO HER ABOUT rounding off.... HELLO!!!! Now, should could teach me a lotta LOT about a cel phone or IPAD or Iphone or computer, otherwise, BUT did not KNOW SIMPLE MATH as she had NOT EVER BEEN TAUGHT HOW TO THINK in simple terms!!!! VERY SAD, indeed!!!
Gen Y is such a tough nut to crap. They have never had to sit in a library, nor struggle to research in front of a stack of books. I have found the more you utilize the computer, the more at ease the student is. Appropriate website (not Wiki) are mandatory, as should be their language and grammer. Focusing in on these things aids in teaching to Gen Y.
I agree completely!!!! They are definitely the generation that needs edu-tainment! However, with that being said... It is also important for us the instructor to know our stuff inside and out because the do have google and will check everything. I have fought with phones in the classroom, etc. What I have found in recent years is that I don't know everything and I will have races in the class to see who finds the answer first and keep chocolate or bonus points as a prize.
I completely agree with the need to revamp our teaching and test giving skills for this group. Thankfully, we have access to the same technologies that they have access to. That coupled with our experience in our industries should give us the leg up on updating our techniques. The trick, at least for me, has been how to put it all together in ways that keep the information interesting to my students.
