Gen X vs. Gen Y
I see pretty great differences between Gen X vs. Gen Y. The Gen Y person seems to be more entitled and not as hard working as Gen X. Gen X'ers seem to be doers. There is most certainly a difference in the classroom environment. I've seen this in almost every class cohort.
Ryan,
I feel fortunate to be a GenXer because I can relate to both Baby Boomers and GenYers. I can't wait to see how the next generation is defined. Outer Spacers?
Thomas,
this is definitely a struggle with this generation & one I am constantly trying to work on. I try to really emphasize the behavior patterns established now will follow them into the workplace where their livelihood is on the line.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I completely agree. I've heard that phrase all too many times. "You gave me an F." At no point was their grade in their own hands apparently. They want everything handed to them and if they show up (whether it be on time or not) that in itself should result in an "A". It's absolutely ridiculous. There is also a severe lack of respect in general.
Chad,
it is true that face to face discussions typically prove to be deeper & challenge us more, however we should seek for ways to dig deeper in the forums.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
As a Gen Xer, I perceive problems with forums themselves. As pointed out in the presentation, Gen Ys constantly communicate, but do not do as well regarding deep understanding of a topic. Forums exacerbate the problem: they encourage small talk about subjects but provide little incentive for going deeper.
I am a Gen X instructor teaching students from Boomer, Gen X and Gen Y. I feel I can relate to Boomers more comfortably but the pressure to keep up with technology and the entitled students is my greatest challenge. The Gen Y students know more than I do about proper research citing and on line turn it in and I find they struggle with the basics of reading comprehension and writing!
As a generation-X instructor teaching a majority of generation-Y students I'm blown away by the lack of commitment to perform academically, instead seeking the "minimum" that's needed to pass. I do enjoy a part of their "naive" personality though, because they have an attractiveness about their "utopic" view of life.
I agree; many of my students are Gen Y and feel that no rule is absolute. So regardless of the consequences, if push comes to shove they expect to be given an exception. I've also noticed that Gen Y needs to be sold on the school work that is required of them, whereas Gen X and older don't question the reason behind something- they do it because they are asked to do it.
this is a great analogy, I totally agree, for the most part the Gen Y's are like this, just scraping by, there are however a few really hard workers in this group, makes me wonder how they were raised and what their parents did and didn't do for them??
i know this may not come across as particularly positive, but being a "gen-x'er" with an eleven year old who is not only an only child, but and only niece, and an only grandchild; i feel very strongly that kids are and grow to be adults that only are what they are taught that they are. one would think based on my description that my daughter is spoiled and catered to making her very self centered and selfish. quite the contrary; while i would like to take the credit for her rearing i know that much of how upbringing is a direct result of her spending alot of time with her grandparents who moved here from eastern europe in the seventies. i feel very fortunate for her to be learning things the "old way". things i could not have taught her. values i would not have thought of in addition to languages that my inlaws had to know just to survive. it is difficult teaching people who believ they are entitled to a diploma or certificate simply because they pay tuition. as well as hard to relate to people who attend school with little to know recognizable interest in what they are here to learn . . .
i have learned from my daughter to stay positive in every situation if for nothing more than my own self preservation.
amy,
this is a good point; if I can "survive" to the next level that's all that matters, rather than making it through with a perfect score, etc.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I wonder often if this isn't a result of a lot of the technological pastimes of this generation - 'getting through' to the next level of a video game only requires scraping through; not excelling!
I am surprised to see no one addressing something that my colleagues and I discuss frequently; the sense of 'entitlement' than many Gen Y students come to the classroom with. They don't have a sense of earning grades, rather the phrase is 'the teacher GAVE me a C" as opposed to the concept that the grade given is what was EARNED as a result of clearly given performance standards.
Apryl,
Gen Y definitely has more of a "hand it to me" mentality, but I have found that when I push them they are very capable & often willing to learn & grow & think.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
My teaching career started with teaching to primarily adult Gen X's and some Boomers. They were and still are my "doer" students. In the last five years, the primary group I teach now are Gen Y. They expect all instruction to be laid out for them. They need to be coaxed to do anything that is outside of the "technological" box.
I'm trying to come to grips with how to communicate with students regarding consequences. Almost every session I have a student who feels it is unfair that they failed the class because they didn't turn in the project or because they plagiarized the final exam. I feel like I need to give them a list of things they aren't entitled to. The late policy and plagiarism policies are well written and disseminated, but they don't think the rules apply to them when it comes down to it.
Being a part of Gen X, I feel that I have lived my life with obstacles that I am happy to climb over, because the satisfaction of accomplishing something on my own is worth it all. I do agree with you in that Gen Y individuals expect things to just be handed to them. They usually ask a question without thinking about the possibilities which may be because of the almost immediate accessibility of information through technology. Because of technology, I believe that Gen Y students have forgotten how to study and it's our job to teach them how to do that so they can succeed later on.
I agree with Tara, and have hear this "what's the minimum" line as well. Whenever I hear this line I am perplexed. The expectations of this "what's the minimum" mentality (though not seeming to be shared by all the students) are counter-productive to a successful career in an Arts related field.
Robert,
this is a challenge. I like to slowly ease the Gen Y students off of this "need" for the immediate, positive feedback & help them grow on their own.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
