Gen Y teaching Gen X
If your a teacher from the Gen Y era and have older students in your class. How do you get them to take you seriously?
I occasionally have a problem, being right on the cusp of Gen X and Y myself, but also looking much younger than I actually am. My oldest student was 72 but I usually have 2-3 students my age or older and I've learned that showing my knowledge/mastery for whatever I am teaching is all it takes. Once students see how much I know and how passionate I am about teaching, not matter what age, they seem to respect that.
@Sarah, I would love to have that kind of structure. There is a great deal of information that must be given in a very short period of time. I have a hard time allowing students to "fall through the cracks". I want everyone to succeed and I tend to take it personally when someone is less than successful.. Whether Gen X or Gen Y....
I am a Gen Y teacher and have to make sure that I have all of my lessons planned out in advance so I can provide all of my leaners a sylabus that can be followed to the T.
Leslie,
This has been my experience as well. The X generation especially appreciates that time you take to teach a topic. As I read along I find that I may be looking through my Gen X Glasses.
Leslie,
this is so true & I would agree that the younger generation tends to be more difficult. There seems to be a prevailing attitude of "prove to me that I should listen to you" rather than coming open & willing to listen.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I agree and have never had a problem relating to or teaching an older student. I am technically a Gen Y being born in '83 but I relate more to the Gen X. I find having the younger students more challenging than the older students who have a better grasp on hard work and how they need to study in order to truely learn the material. I treat them with respect and ask for their input on what they have experienced and I don't feel they underestimate my "authority" as their teacher or a valid member of my career field. I think being confident that you have the credentials to be in front of the classroom makes all the difference.
Jarred,
good question & definitely a challenge. Credibility is the oversimplified answer, but important nonetheless. I think you have to establish your knowledge level regarding the topic you are teaching & at the same time, demonstrate a respect for the life experience that these students bring to the class.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I am a teacher who is probably on the line between Gen X and Gen Y, having been born in December of 1979 and graduating from high school in 1998. However, since I began teaching 2 years ago, I have had a number of students who are older than me. Overall, I have had good experiences with older students, but I will admit the thought of teaching older adults was a bit intimidating at first. I have found that if you treat all of your students with respect, acknowledging the fact they are adults with valid previous life and work experiences, they will often return the respect back to you as an instructor. If this occurs, I have found they often realize you have professional knowledge, regardless of your age, they are trying to obtain and will "take you seriously" if you present the knowledge with respect.
