Tim,
and most of them will be working in team-based environments so the more they can get used to that now, the better.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
They seem to like working in groups. I find that giving them a group research assignment is a great way to get them to use each others strengths and gives them an outlet to use their fondness for technology.
Matthew,
this is so true & there can even be an opportunity to incorporate social media & other technology as they can research points in the moment as well as the more involved research.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Socratic seminars work really well for Gen Yers because the assignment has multiple parts involving some research, some opinion formulating, and analysis of the text. Then they must cooperate to keep the conversation going without help from the instructor, and they must also focus on their comments having some weight--they must back up their opinions with source or research material. They also have to pay attention to what each students says to build upon their points. It's very involved and engaging, and they seem to like it a great deal.
Karen,
I like the idea of finding recipes & then developing them further as this allows them to use technology, but they must be creative & use their skills as well.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I have students research topics online and use the information as a foundation or "jump-off" point so they can create their own recipes.
At the beginning of the course , I have the students purchase very inexpensive calculators to complete math problems. I do not permit students to use their calculators on their phones to prevent cheating.
Since we are a culinary school, I find that that I get some of the best results from having the class form up into groups. Some of the things they do they have learned in previous classes and I let them do theses as a group. The new items they must do as individuals but we look at eachothers plates as a whole group. This way if there is a mistake they can learn from each other.
Stephen,
this is a great idea as it engages all of them with the content & also utilizes technology.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Most of the time, I will bring in more training aids as part of the classroom activity. While they are passing components around, I will then explain their function and operation. I will also get one student to google the component and have them share that information with the class. This seems to bring in more student involvement in the classroom.
Strategies that have worked for me include incorporating technology in the classroom. This is not a difficult task since I teach computer courses but students like to know how the software can be applied to everyday life. I use powerpoint slides to present the information and give them hands on assignments working with the software and show them how it can be used in their career.
I agree with this. Basically incorporating what is comfortable for them and what is good for them. Meet them half way. Allow cell phone and computer usage for certain exercises and monitor the usage. It is also important to demonstrate a new skill and explain to them in advance that you will not answer 100 questions that you just demonstrated. I explain to them that problem solving skills are important in our industry and make it a practice and an objective of the days learning. With this generation I find that the less I teach AT them and teach them by caring about them individually I can get through!
I find that using real world experiances help keep the students stay on track with the subject matter and why it is important to them.
michele-ann,
yes, if I allow open book, I try to set strict time limits & make the questions very challenging to they have to spend time studying before hand.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I have tried using the open book method and now refuse to do so as I find that students score lower because they rely on the book for every question rather than usings their brain and eventually run out of time.
I have found that integrating technology in their learning environment makes them feel welcome and at home. They see value in video games and make sense of them and relate it back to education.
Keeping the lecyures short and entertaining. Incorporating more group projects. Sharing my personal experience in the field.
Curran,
both of these are great methods as the hands on learning/activities are a great way to engage them & stories or other entertaining ideas are a great way to drive home points.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
the strategies i use most are two fold. i find that hving things to put into thier hands or making them get out of thier seats to look at stuff is a great way to keep them tuned in. but more than that i find that being as much a teacher as an entertainer is one of the best ways to keep them listening to what i am saying
I tend to go with how I learn being a gen y myself. I am on the border though born in 1982. With one of my classes which is a computer class I allow my students to listen to music while doing their work it keeps their focus during my positioning review class they cannot use the computer during class but I do give them activities to do for homework using technology. I also use powerpoint, youtube videos and personal stories when ever relevant.
Hands on.
Lots of breaks.
Worksheets.
Videos and discussion.
Drilling each other in pairs.
Write a paragraph about "what did you just learn in the last hour?"
Competitions like Jeopardy.
Working in a group to produce a report.
Open book tests.
Quick feedback.
