Mary,
I would agree that the "natural" feel with technology is interesting with the Gen Y students. I think this then provides an opportunity for helping them learn how to communicate even more effectively.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
You have to keep up with changing technology because they are technology savy. You also have find ways to connect with them to keep their interest.
I am a Baby Boomer and am an instructor at a career college. I have had the pleasure and challenge of teaching students from all four of the generation groups that were discussed in Module 1. It is difficult to plan and pace activities that incorporate technology when technological exposure is limited with some students while the younger students are able to sail through an activity. I have also found that Generation Y students are not always able to help members from the other three groups as they are not able to explain why they do what they do on the computer. It just seems to come naturally for them.
Kathy,
yes, this generation is definitely much more "entertainment" driven & so we must make our classrooms an interactive experience.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Katessa,
this is a great statement. Also, I may not use technology in every lesson, but showing how it relates & making those connections can really help too.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I have found the Gen Y learners have impactd myself in the classroom. I have to ensure the materials are relevant or I will lose their attention from the start of the class. Educating the students from my own personal experiences has much more impact than their textbooks do, so I have come up with a "story" for every lesson I need them to learn, followed by challenging them to find/share similar situations. I've found they remember the lessons better with this technique.
In my classroom they don't. I do not allow cell phones in class but encourage technology to research and explore information.
I think they have a shorter attention span, they get restless and bored sooner. They want satisfaction in the classroom, maybe ever entertainment. The instructional plan has to include changes to the "lecture only" session, such as group activities, role playing, using youtubes, getting up and moving around.
Because they were literally born into so much technology, they expect things to come quickly--the so-called "instant gratification" effect. When I assign a lengthy research paper, for example, I find it is more effective to really break the process down into tasks they can move through quickly--and the more they can use technology to do it, the happier they are.
Generation Y learners have been exposed to technology typically starting at an early age. Therefore, the planning process for educators must involve materials and support items that can reach all types of learners. Having hands on activities, visual aids, as well as lecture can assist with the learning process and positively influence the students to learn.
Generation Y learners require a lot of technical equipment to be utilized in the classroom; therefore,the instructor must prepare powerpoints or some type of computerized activity, to aid in the student learning process.
Keeping Gen Y students focused and engaged is sometimes extremely difficult. They are very task oriented and technologically savvy and I find I have to make sure I am up on the latest computer gadgets to compete with them. No one is to blame, just a sign of the times.
Heather,
this is very true. Gen Yers are very accustomed to frenetic lives & so we do need to keep the classes moving quickly & forward.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
This generation group is very tech savy and they need to be going. You need to keep the class upbeat and use technology when ever possible. I know some classes are harder to do that but try to keep the student involved in what topic you are teaching.
Julien,
yes this is great strategy as it helps the students remain engaged & focused on the learning that is needed.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Earl,
you are right that this does help keep them engaged. I think it also helps them to learn professionalism & appropriate use of technology.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
The Y generation has an impact on learning because of there complete dependencies on techinology. This generation has been pampered and believe that every little thing needs to be provided to them because they have lost the ability to problem solve.
I think it is important for the instructor to recognize the importance of technology to Generation Y learners. If the use of technology helps the students understand the material then the instructor should adapt to using technology even if the instructor is from the generation where technology wasn't used. The instructor needs to be flexible and adapt as learners progress and change and utilize all the resources available to help deliver the material.
I find that you have to keep lectures short and then move to more interative learning. while the interactive is taking place ask open end questions and let the students answer it themselves.
I have observed that practically all of them have cell phones (especially smart phones)and treat them like their "third hand". We have a policy at our school that cell phones should not be displayed during lectures. I try to incorporate technology in my class for the reason (Gen Yers). Students can use their smart phones to look up information during class and for making class presentations as well. Embracing technology in the classroom does help keep them engaged in the learning process.
