Carlton,
I agree with you here. We spend a lot of time talking about how to reach Gen Y, I think we also need to help Gen Y understand how to reach others.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Franz,
yes there is definitely a seeming "addiction" to cell phones. I think this can be used in the learning environment, but must be closely monitored.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Lisa,
utitilizing technology in an effective & intelligent way is definitely a great strategy for reaching these learners.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I'm on your side in the assesment you made. Technology is great. However, where I teach there are many generations as well. The older students oftentime struggle with technological gadgets. Heck, I struggle with technolgical gadgets. Unless Gen "y" just retreats into a room and doesn't interact with the rest of the world, we of other generations who are teachers must meet them where they are plus show where they are from. Everything has a history. That History is worth knowing to have a better understanding to be able to have wisdom.
Last week I was walking to hall of are school at break and started counting the students that had there phones out looking at them and the ones that did not have a phone out. It was 28 to 1 students that had there phones out. This tell me that they fell a need to look at them and they can learn more by doing so.
I must agree that technology must be be involved. But the "Y" must be answered during the physical learning environment while using the technology. These students understand data more so than lectures and can reach more logical reasonings.
While planning classroom instruction- these type of learners need some type of technology as part of the learning process. These learners really need to feel engaged in learning- drawn to the material- using technology in the classroom- will better engage them to learn the material.
James,
Gen Y learners are definitely accustomed to lots of techno type of visual aids.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I find as I teach the generation Y students technology plays a much larger roll in keeping them interested in the subject matter. I utilize computers more, and integrate them into my lectures, and demo/lab.
Need to incorporate more technology based training aides. They aren't happy unless it is something that blinks or makes noises.
Mark,
I would agree that while there are some challenges, I have found the Gen Yers to be more open to me experimenting & trying new methods.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Joy ,
this is a great awareness that we all need to keep in mind.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Donna,
you are right that we want to make sure to keep their attention & good use of technology can help with that.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Joanne,
this was a key learning for me when I first started studying the generations as well.
Dr. Ryan Meers
The instructional planning process will have to involve the use of technology. It should also show the bigger picture since this generation wants to do more than just earn a paycheck.
They are open to newer technology and methods allowing instructors to incorporate different teaching and learning styles in the classroom.
Simply put the use of technology is basically mandatory and time to explain the why's must be built into the carriculum because they are definately going to ask.
I instruct using more technology, things like youtube and videos. I also include lots of hands-on activities and frequently change the pace of the course like every 15 min. I realize I am in competition with devices that provide lots more entertainment than a lecture :).
In my experience these students know more than I do concerning the equipment. My lectures need to keep their focus or they become easily bored.
I did not know much about Gen Y. I did not understand why many of my Gen Y students wanted to know their grades so quickly. Knowing this will enable me to post their grades quicker.
