It gives more options in the classroom. As an instructor, I can mix it up and use different methods so every student gets an opportunity to absorb the information. If they don't understand it from one method, it can be reinforced. I also gain experience and education from my students. As a member of Generation X, I myself stand to learn a lot by listening to life experiences of my Baby Boomers and Gen Y students.
I think this is true usually. I have students pick their own groups and they mix it up fine.
Craig,
I agree that we need to explore a variety of methods to make sure we are reaching all of the learners in our classes.
Dr. Ryan Meers
The value lies in the way we present the material to the students . Often i find that when i am coaching a student , he is usually not a x gen or boomer. I find i have to adapt strategies for all different types of learners and it helps to know their individual characteristics.
It is important that you know the various characteristics of the different generations of learners so that you can adjust your teaching techniques to the students in your class. If your class has different generations of learners you might need to present the material in different ways.
Terri,
all of these are great points & definitely we need to be mindful of construction, especially for those longer classes.
Dr. Ryan Meers
The obvious has been stated in earlier replies to this forum question. It is imperative the limited attention span be addressed (particularly for five hour classes!)
• Break down the class sessions to change the rhythm
• Employ electronics to transfer info and assignments
• Set standards for using electronic tools
• Provide guided lecture notes with audio and on screen lectures to reinforce key words and reduce writing
• Create games for teams to compete for bonus points
• Bribe them. Hand out cabochons for insightful contributions during lecture and labs (Redeem the cabs for bonus points at the end of the term)
• Assign classroom projects related to the session topic/topics. Require web search, compilation of the info into a PP Presentation, which is electronically submitted to meet deadline and orally presented to the class.
I do the same thing, most of my students like taking notes when I am lecturing and writing on the white board. I have one student with disability also he also prefer me to write on the white board. I also use the projector to show medical terminology (anatomy) animations.
All my students love when we play jeopardy and I usually divide the class into 2 teams they said they really learn a lot (Medical Terminology) the entire class participates and they have lots of fun while learning. I use this technique when we are doing chapter review.
Jason,
yes, it is very important due to the diversity in our classes today.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Patricia,
I completely agree with you that the more we make an effort to understand the various generations the more effective we will be in the classroom.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I agree that we need to understand the different generations in order to be able to deal with them appropriately
I am older than almost all of my students so I try hard to use a multi media approach this includes power point presentations , writting on the white board explaining in detail and asking pointed questions to students and demostrations
Mainly because it's entirely possible as some levels of teaching that as many as 3 of the 4 generations could be represented in one classroom. Without knowing the characteristics of each, one would undoubltedly fall short with interaction.
I feel it is good to use a variety of instructional methods in the classroom. You never know how every person in the room learns best. I mix it up.
The value of recognizing and comprehending generational differences is a matter of effective or non-influencial instruction. Recently, I completed my doctoral work and one main section of my dissertation discusses the different generations of learners. Learning about the topic has been an eye-opener for me. For example, at one point I felt disrespected by Generation X and Y students who kept using their cell phones during class. After learning about the importance of technology for these students, I decided, "Why fight city hall?" and began incorporating cell phone research during group work. Students loved it and the "illegal" cell phone use during non-group time was actually eliminated. I am now at the final stage of my doctoral journey and I am seriously thinking about doing additional research regarding generational learners in the classroom. I look forward to learning more.
Robert,
I too have found this to be true. Usually I just have to encourage them to be diverse in their groups & they do.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I have found that when they pick their own groups, they will mix groups up themselves. A lot more often that not, I do not have to move students around in the groups.
molly,
yes, this really is an example of good audience analysis & adapting to what we find.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Felix,
you are right about this & we do need to be careful about stereotyping by generation as well as other factors.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Knowing the differenct characteristics of different generations helps prepare the best way to present information to a class. for instance if Im teaching a class with only Gen Y, I know they do not want isolated lecture
based information: they value interaction,
networking, active participation and staying
connected – anytime, anyplace, and I would plan my class accordingly
