Characteristics of Generation Y Learners
How do the characteristics of Generation Y learners impact the instructional planning process?
I find the Gen Y students in my classes generally don't take notes or are not avid note takers. They prefer to have me read through the textbook with them and highlight important points during lecture. They also prefer having guided notes or a study guide. Its as though they want the information given to them instead of having to read and research the text for themselves.
As a Gen Xer, this is MUCH different than the way I was taught in school.
The impact is that Gen Y Learners require a basic understanding of technology and integration of technology into daily life and thus requires that understanding to communicate with them effectively
The ability to find an answer to a question but very little requirement to memorize or explore the issue this generation skims a lot of cream from the top. "wait I have a text msg", "My moms on facebook again how embarrassing". Then the constant voices that offer instant gratification to feed their one true question. "Who am I".
I have studied this generation the most, I see their faces everyday come through my classroom.
They crave structure - Actually we have pushed them with all the gadgets to far that now they love hands on. So if your reading this, stop with the technology and have the students do something with their hands. Trust me they love it.
Eva,
this is true, yet we should also be helping them learn to value other information & not only filter to the immediately relevant.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Seth,
this is a great point & it really is a great way of engaging this generation in the material & can also help them develop critical thinking as they engage in discussions, etc on forums (as one example).
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Because this generation is so tech dependent, teaching has to be quicker & relevant to their lives. They only utilize the info that they need at that time, without capturing the rest of the info. The information has to be to the point & if possible with picture so that they can visualize what it is that the instructor has been talking about. More technology has to be introduce in the class, like smartphones.
Just like all Generation cohorts discussed in this course, Generation Y learners should have influence on the instructional planning process. Characteristics of Gen Y that I feel impact instructional planning is the connectivity of the course beyond the classroom. Making sure to plan for and adapt lessons so that they may be accessed outside the classroom via the web and computer technology. Planning a way in which the students can communicate beyond the classroom with each other as well as with the instructor is important as well.
Theodore,
and we do know that the teamwork/collaboration skills are key to success in today's work environment.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Eric,
this is an excellent idea & also a great truth to remember: integrated technology. The "technology" use to be the white board or more recently power point, but this is not integrated technology as you talk about.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Increased technology in lecture, interactivity, and keeping lecture moving all help to appeal to the Generation Y learner.
This generation is connected and they do communicate with their friends on a constant basics. Being connected fosters collaborative skills development, they learn to work together at an early age. Their collaborative skill accelerate the learning process.
As Gen Y students have grown up surrounded by technology, the use of technology in the classroom has transformed from using technology to deliver education to something more integrated. I am a Gen Y individual myself, and many of my students use their smartphones in class to take video or pictures of demonstrations, and one student in particular plays back the video demos as he produces his own product in the lab.
Educators should be able to plan for this and use it to our advantage. The phone can be a valuable tool if we structure its use properly. It can also be a tremendous distraction if it is not managed carefully.
Jamie,
This is a great point & definitely true. This also helps them learn how to make sense of what they are hearing & not rely on the power point.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I have often found that with Gen Y students I have to take a more out of the box approach to their learning. I have forgone the power points as much as possible and focus more on learning through discussion. This seems to keep their attention better than the lights out pour and snore methodology used while I was in school.
Characteristics of generation Y learners are that they are technology driven and tend to work well with positive encouragement.
cynthia,
I heard a great quote about this the other day from a psychologist: "People who think they have ADD/ADHD often just have a severe case of modern life." A good reminder that many times we need to take ownership & learn to filter for ourselves & not look for an excuse.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I agree, I feel as though I have to have a "wow" moment every 45 minutes or else I lose their attention. Whether it be a picture, a witty joke or something to impress them. I can't simply have a discussion/lecture as I would have in some of my own experiences in auditorium classes I once had in college. It seems my lectures have to be "TED" talks-esque.
I do not think ADD/ADHD is on the rise. I do agree that it is more widely diagnosed and quite possibly over diagnosed.
I agree, you need to keep their attention by constantly switching the activites in the classroom. I sometimes keep them engage by involving their smart phone with the lecture.
