Wendy,
this is a good point & a good question. My belief is that it's some of both. I think some just want the information given to them. However, I believe that many in this generation have simply not been taught how to think critically & really research.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
They are raised on technology, must incorporate technology in your classroom instructions. Use your studies to maintain connectivity, use connectivity as a learning tool, become more attentive an involved.
I find it fascinating that even though this generation extensively uses technology and supposedly know how to use the internet, it astounds me that they do not know how to research information there!!! Is that true or is it just laziness? I find that my students want to be spoonfed all information and have no interest in putting forth any real effort to get information.
Gwendolyn,
this is so true. I have had the opportunity to have multiple generations in the classroom & it has been exciting to see them interact & enjoy one another.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I think it is important for teachers of Gen Ys to learn their technology and tailor lessons to use their technology. I'm a Chef Instructor and I encourage the students to view You Tube videos of food preparations and techniques over the weekend. They send the links to me and on Monday we view them in the classroom. Each student explains to the rest of the class the video the he or she sent. So they also gain a bit of public speaking experience.
Often we have group pop assignments where I quickly divide them into groups, assign a topic, and tell them they have 5 minutes to research a topic using any and all available resources. Then they present their findings to the class. Out pop the iPhone and the Goggling begins.
It is true that multi-generations in one class is a challenge,and yes they have a need to be kept busy and enterained but the fun is finding a way for all to share what they know in a way that is easy for them and teaching to others a new way of getting to the same pont from different directions
Gen Y learners need the same things that previous generation learners have needed. They need an organized format of delivery. They need knowledgable instructors. They need respect and a safe environment. The differences in method of delivery by use of technology really help all generations of today's students learn. The instructor may spend some planning time searching for websites that demonstrate the same concept as was taught verbally in a skillful and engaging manner. Additionally the instructor will need to include in the plans opportunities for small group discussions followed by large group discussions.
Intentional role play or practice of the concept will further deepen all students' understanding.
The more involved students from any generation are in learning the better the outcome. Technological advances require the instructor to be more presentation minded than a pure font of knowledge who lectures for one hour at a time to meet the learning characteristics of today's students.
Curtis ,
excellent point! While we all would love to skip the small steps, that is the way we gain success & build to the big steps.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I find that my group of "Y" students want to know evetything about it! they want all of the details, and you better know the answer to every one of their questions..no matter what!!
I have found that learning for its own sake is much less valued with this group. They want their information now and then get out of the way! It means that their attention wanders and breaks from a lecture based course(such as anatomy and physiology) are required. Group activities in a game show format have been best at keeping their interest and attention.
Thats how I try to keep them interseted, I tell them that they better know how to do this small job now because this is one of the first jobs a new employer is going to give him. If he cant do the small jobs he won't be around for the big jobs.
Quite often, these students are more technologically advanced than their instructors. Being a baby boomer myself, I grew up with the more structured methodology of teaching. However, I benefited in waiting to take my Masters' and came in just as technology was beginning to rear itself as an important part of learning. I can combine both worlds, thankfully, with some limitations in exposure to certain levels of gadgetry, but feel less out-of-touch with the technology as I did in the past.
These student have grown up utilizing the technology not just for learning, but for maintaining connection with family, friends, etc. My biggest problem with technology and Gen Yers is that their usage implies a lack of respect when in certain settings, especially in the classroom/library. I have yet to find a happy medium for those occasions.
Rick Osborne made a good point in how this might be affecting students' attention spans in the classroom. I wonder if there is not just a psychological, but physiological connection between the usage of certain technology and the instance of ADD and ADHD.
Dr. Meers, as you pointed out to Rick Osborne following his discussion of question 1, I believe you certainly recognize the connectivity between the two.
However, I'm wondering if there is a fine line where we have to balance learning styles because of the broad generational divide appearing in today's classrooms. One of the things I do hope is that those that are older, having been out of school so long, will adjust well to a more technical/visual learning experience.
We should also expect to have documented certain health issues so that we can accomodate those needs of the ADD/ADHD-inflicted. Sometimes, use of those issues is simply an excuse to evade responsibilities.
Is there a balance that we can achieve - anyone have some suggestions as to things that can be combined within a class period that will work well with all generations?
Mark ,
it really does require some classroom/instructional gymnastics. Yet, in the long run I think it does result in overall better instruction.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Very challenging in adult learning to cater to people from Gen y and Gen X at the same time. Have to shift dynamics wildly sometimes to have everybody feel engaged.
Brandi,
I would say that this is true due to your generation as well as to your own personality. Sounds like you love to try new things, keep it up.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I believe Generation Y learners impact the instructional planning process in a very interesting way. In the past, I was taught that Generation Yers were extremely technologically savvy, so much that it was difficult to catch and keep their attention. I was told to incorporate the various multiple intelligences (especially the visual, verbal and kinesthetic intelligence) to gain their attention and engage their learning. Therefore, my old approach of a 2hour lecture accompanied by a Powerpoint presentation of black and white letters on the projector screen was unacceptable. So, I decided to create hands-on activities, visually appealing images and graphics, video and audio to accentuate my condensed lectures. I was so intrigued I would go even further to add animation to my lectures, 1st hand accounts, and props from time to time. Then a few days ago, after reading the lessons from MaxKnowledge I learned that even I was a Generation Yer!!! Who knew?!? But this realization made me understand why I enjoyed bringing about a new kind of classroom to a new generation of learners!
Thomas ,
so true! While I don't like to see the impact on attention spans, I would say the positive is that it has forced us, as instructors, to be more concise & to really plan lessons well. Rather than just talking & hoping something sticks.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
lloyd,
I couldn't agree with you more. It does seem that their attention span is shorting. Especially when they think they can use their iphones. This does encourage us teachers to be clear, crisp with our lecture--short mini-lectures seem best--and strong interactive lectures even better. Hands-on activities and problem solving seems to be the way to go.
Thanks for your thoughts, lloyd!
Tom
From my experience with Generation Y, they seemed to be more contented to technology. They seem very open-minded to different cultures and different ethnic groups. They seem a bit distracted by technology--seem very dependent on cell phones, iphones, computers. In many ways, they are very similiar to previous generations. They seem conscientious in school and yet not wanting busy work--like previous generations but maybe a bit more so. They like hands-on learning.
Thanks!
Tom
Kimberly,
it is true that we do have to really prepare to engage our students.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
