I see it as an impact that shapes the future of education and lowering actual production costs of setting a course, by just having a specific portal support the environment safely and in a way in which more learning is actually done the reason: in order for students to do well, have no choice bu to participate. In a general classroom, this does not happen, so I think Gen Y leads the way of engagement in this manner. What do we think about this?
Marco Albarran
Generation Y learners make instructional planning more interesting. You have to come up with interesting ways to deliver material. Although I teach a program that requires a lot of hands-on training, I have been able to give assignments and have them submitted electronically. Sometimes it is a little more difficult for the older students to keep up, but many businesses operate at some level electronically and using social media so this group of students can make the learning environment very interesting.
Samuel,
this is a great concept. My first principal used to challenge us with this idea: if your class is inattentive or disorderly, whose fault is that? Great idea to remember.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
There are an entire new set of rules being formed around the technology that I as a boomer am only just beginning to learn. It is considered rude these days to call someone without texting first and asking when a convenient time to call would be. In addition I find that this generation does not do well talking on the phone. They prefer to text. Does this mean they are also not good at listening on the phone or in other situations requiring listening?
By the way I was a bit disappointed at the biased political references in the preceding unit.
Despite the fact that these many of these students expect to be entertained while they are learning and use technology in almost every aspect of their daily learning, we as educators cannot afford to push aside some of the old "tried and true" teaching methods in addition to accommodating "new learning styles". I find it quite disheartening that many students even my own 13 year old are missing out on such basic learning skills like grammar because of the availability of spell check and other document correcting programs. We need to find a balance between new technology and old school learning to adequately prepare Generation Y students for life in a real world job that may require them to put down their "gadgets" and use their brain.
Understanding that the typical lecture hall scenerio is not going to get the point completly across, we as instructors have had to figure out new and improved ways. Usually during my demos, I have students help with certain steps to get them invovled and hands on with the steps. This helps to make a corelation of the lesson for visual and hands on learners.
I agree with you're statements and I too keep the class busy. A busy class is an occupied class! When you make someone focus there is less of a chance of losing them.
Philp ,
definitely. We have to remember that these characteristics are generalities & do vary by economic condition & region as well as other factors. This means we must be cautious in applying these characteristics & always consider our group & the individuals that make it up.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Do the Gen Y characteristics vary by region or possibly economic conditions and their ability to access technology?
I find it more difficult to get these students to focus on getting the concepts and "knowing" information then use the information for critical thinking to see relationships in information. Since "facts" are at their fingertips they don't want to take the time to reason. This is much like the memorizing of Vets and some Boomers!
Technology has palyed a big role in formation of this generation. This generation is more selfcentered and they can not survive with out technology. Social interaction is done through texting, facebook and emails. Poor person to person communication skills.
Since Generation Y Learners are used to integrated experiences and a high level of connectivity, it seems reasonable to expect that they would learn better through projects that incorporate a number of technologies and subjects, and which focus on group work. These students expect more interaction than having a lecture delivered to them, or being assigned bookwork. Their learning experience should be more interactive. This is actually a great way to learn, since it also encourages critical thinking skills.
Dennis,
great points made here. You are so right that the hands on learning is a key way to engage the Gen Y learners & to keep their interest.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
They likely expect the use of technology and expect instructors to be technologically astute. This could include access to grades, quizzes, PowerPoints, student accounts, libraries and all. Technology can be tied into the education delivery in many interesting ways.
Also many will be more globally aware and globally interested than prior generations so these areas can be engaging and interesting to them.
Getting students involved and hands-on is important. Gen Y students tend to want to get on their gadgets and get away from the class activities, so I am ever more interested in getting them involved in group activities. Also, I want them to use powerpoint presentations to present speeches and ideas in class. Even though they are technologically savvy, they still need some instruction about presenting effective powerpoints in a professional way.
Where I work we try to teach professionalism . The phones and constant contact is killing the jobs for these kids. They find out the hard way on the job. most will work for a boomer. they want production. The schools what turned these kids out let a lot slip through the cracks. I am really surprised how many of this Generation use the gadgets and really do not have a clue on what they are doing with them.They seem to be very cutting to other people because texting is not in person and the say what they want without regards for others feeling sometimes.
Joseph,
you've shared a great perspective & some key ideas for all of us to remember. I think if we can help them learn concepts or do something without technology & then show them how the technology connects, it provides an even richer experience for them. Thanks for sharing.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
As an Instructor in a classroom over the last 11+ years it is evident that this generation is totally connected to technology. They view being connected as normal and many when asked about the use of texting even when the phones are not supposed to be out reply that they simply must as if it is the breath of life or some other natural process. They seem to have shorter attention spans and do not want to search at length to find answers but Google and go as I would call it...often responding with I did not realize that was what the paper or question was asking, as they did not take time to read but rather picked out a specific word and thought they had the concept or idea of the question. They also seem to have trouble taking things at face value. We use a lot of True / false statements in our quiz strategy and they seem to need to add info to the statement instead of deciding if it is in fact true as written. Example: the Sky is blue (true statement) yet they will argue, well what about the clouds or birds or something else...Completely missing the fact that as written it is a true statement. I often think since they are so attached to their phones and texting, Facebook, twitter etc., that we should develop educational lessons to send to them on the media they respond to...they appear to always want the quick and easy answer and often see to believe that things should be done for them. They generally don't seem to display the basic hands on sense prior generations display like inherently knowing how to turn a bolt to loosen of tighten it properly. I love technology and believe it is a great tool, but as stated they see it as part of human nature not a device or enhancement. So teaching requires better listening to the needs of the students and trying to present the information in a format that they relate to while keeping the integrity of the material and process in place. Challenge, you bet, interesting for sure, moving forward absolutely. Keep it fun, moving and relate all angles of importance that’s the key.
In instructional planning for Gen Yers, is almost like that of a two year old. You constantly have to keep their brains and hands busy or they become bored. I feel once that hapepns you find they have been sucked into the vortex of their smart phones.. and have a hard time bringing them back to the classroom. I try to keep them engaged.
Debby,
excellent point! While certain methods come & go, others stand the test of time, the key for a quality instructor is to be aware of his/her "audience" & know how to keep them engaged.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
