Get Your Students Hired
A year ago I went on a road trip with my Daughter. She comes on the forefront of generation Y. I hadn't seen her for a while and was annoyed that the iPhone was "demading" her time. By the end of the trip my attitude had adjusted. My "navigator" found the cheapest gas, where the pizza was, the weather, etc...
And the dohicky has an altimeter, and lat/long plotter.
I adjusted.
I see the same with the Gen Y students. The technology with the smart phones and social media have been helpful if I ask if the students have heard anything about an absent classmate, but they seem to spend more time on the cell phone texting/facebook, and wonder why they don't grasp information given to them.
Brenda,
this is very true. And I've also found that this can help connect with the students as they are eager to teach & appreciate our humility in asking for help.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
If we as Boomers, are willing, the Gen Yers can teach us many things. Life is Lifelong learnign, and this is one avenue to travel.
kenya,
it definitely is a tough war & one that must be worked through effectively & carefully. I think we need to explore the use of technologies, while not rushing into using every new bell & whistle that comes along.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Ryan,I agree we do need to help our students use there technological tools well. I know instructors are allowing students to use iphones, and ipads in the class to pull up handouts, and notes sent to them for the class. I am still having a hard time with this considering my generation and the way I was thought. We took notes, printed material for class, and brought it with us to class. But, we were not allowed to pull up the material on our phones, and ipads for school. It feels like a tough of war infusing the past with the present.
Henry,
and that comes down to maturity & knowing how to best use the time. It can definitely pose this temptation & we need to help our students learn to use these tools the right way.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
All these gadgets are extremely useful tools, but like anything else they can be a distraction. Yes the phone would be great in class while disassembling a transmission and using the camera option to document the steps taking for disassembly. Could als be a distraction while waiting for the instructor to check your work the phone would instead be used for a round of Angry Birds.
Desiree,
unfortunately I'm not sure there is a magic answer to this difficult problem. I would say you've started well with the clear boundaries & expectations, just try to enforce them.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I agree. Especially in a classroom setting, I believe there should be clear boundaries on when the "gadgets," internet searches can be used. Otherwise, instead of listening to the instructor or doing what is required, they tend to be off in their own little world, checking Facebook, surfing the web, checking texts/emails. I have two generations in my classroom, Gen Y and Gen X. While setting what I believe to be clear boundaries on when they can/can't use iPhone, internet, the Gen Y students ALWAYS disregard these instructions. Gen Xers always comply. Any recommendations on how to get Gen Yers to comply?
lorraine,
this is a great testimony to the truth that Gen Y does not expect all of us to be tech experts, but they do highly value those real life experiences we can share.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I was born in 41 and was somewhat intimidated by technology when I began teaching after my retirement from nursing. I had to adjust and immerse myself in the new technology, but I found that I had experiences to share with my students, and conversely they took great pleasure in helping me adjust to the new technology. it has been a heartwarming experience and I am very happy. Everyone should be teaching and learning every day of their lives. L Creadon
I agree but we have got to do it in a way that restricts them from abusing the priveledge. The "gen y" students seem surprised when they are held accountable for their actions. I understand that they live in a microwave world and expect immediate results. I have found that if they are not monitored closely that they will stray from the project.
Ben ,
I agree that we use the technology with this understanding. Having come from the corporate T&D world, technology is a distraction & frustration there too.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I have taken on the task to understand. The electronics are a great resource. I feel we need to use this technology with the understanding "there is a time and place for everything. let's incorporate this message in the best intrest of our company partners.
Phillip,
I agree that we really need to have an open mind & see how we can use their tools to reach them.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I see the same adjustments necessary, being a very early Gen x, I see how I fit into that catagory, but I seem to easily adapt to the other generations thinking. It is important that those of us who are trying to teach another generation take what they use best as a learning tool instead of an intrusion into 'our' space and time.
Pamela,
well said. I've found the important thing is to be, as you said, understanding rather than judgmental.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I think that when you decided to change your attitude about the iPhone, you said something very important. As instructors it is our job to see things from our students perspective in order to relate to them. Just as with your daughter, in order to make that relationship work and be effective,you had to understand things the way she does. In the end, just like you and your daughter, instructors and students will benefit by this assimilation.