Lenore ,
and this gives them an opportunity to express their thoughts in front of others & have some peer critique.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
EngComp: Small group interactions for Liereatry Analysis. They enjoy expressing their own idaeas and are tollerant of others. They also like to read what they have written and tend to make it very "audience" friendly and relevant.
Erinn,
this is a great idea as it is teaching them how to research & engaging them with technology.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Creating projects which allow ask them to seek information from several sources, including technology, interviews and textbook.
I provide instant feedback and make sure they know how they are doing. Show and explain how what we are doing is connected with the big picture. I give Positive feedback and constructive advice to students and tell them what they can to do next time. I also give them website that can provide connection to the subject. We discuss current events in the idustry and connect it with class and group discussions.
John,
this aspect of hands on is very helpful in keeping the students engaged as well as helping the tactile learners.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Keeping lots of pass around parts and diagrams of components has helped with the Gen Yers.Being able to touch the parts and examine them while we talk about how they work goes a long way with information retention.
Andrea,
it really is imperative that we utilize a variety of teaching strategies to truly engage Gen Y learners.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I found that presenting materials in many different manners helps them, because they have a tendancy to not pay attention to just lectures. Also, providing them with a schedule to follow keeps them on track.
Also, you need to take away their technology, iPhone, ipads, etc because they tend to get engulfed in them and forget they are in a learning environment.
I tend to agree which makes for conversation with such individuals rather pointless and boring due to a lack of true understanding of any given subjet.
robert,
I completely agree that they much prefer this method. While we do need to deliver some content, the engaging in interaction is vital.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I have found that lecturing to Yers disengages them. Have the lesson progress more as a social interaction seems to be more effective.
Hello Julia,
I have had the same situations occur in my class as I demonstate a skill that students will need to learn. Last week the students had a check-off on enteral feeding. They were taught this skill 5 weeks ago with plenty of time to practice in the lab. Several of them asked me on Thursday to teach them the skill again, but at the same time wanted their mid-term grades completed and posted. My response was to them was "do not let your lateness become my emergency." Yes, they have videos that were provided by the school with a demonstration of the skill. I recognize that some of our students have access to learning through modes they enjoy, but are sometimes not proactive in their own learning.
Gen Y learners get bored easily so it's critical to keep them engaged. I always try to relate the information to them in an interesting way. I teach in a health field, so interesting stories or incidences help them remember the information. It is also critical to involve them in the learning process. The goal is to achieve higher learning, so making opportunities available to apply the information helps these students (and most others) begin to think critically.
I have lots of parts, products, equipment to pass around the room, also allow them to look up things on line will I am going over topics, I have lots of disuccsions.
That is basically an open book test if you are letting them use the internet during tests.
While the open book test has it's place, I feel my students suffer from too many open book tests.
They do not study very hard because they know they can simply look up the answer when it is needed instead of knowing the answer.
As a member of the Baby Boomer generation, I continue to be amazed at how often and consistent Gen Y students want feedback and/or constructive criticism. I teach several 'hands-on' type classes and immediate feedback fits perfectly with the expectations of these students. They also handle criticism better than many of the older students I have taught.
I have had to learn to "tolerate" cell phones and ipads and even laptops in the classroom. I used to make them put it away... but I found that even if they are doing something not related to class and I don't make a big deal out of it, but continue to include them in the lecture/discussion... they are paying attention, and retain more information than when I have them 100% in the lecture.
I give my students assignments that would require them to use google and other search engines. Some assignments require students to check blogs and a variety of virtual forums.
David,
I too like to make sure I am balancing the tried & true methods with newer techniques that will help to be effective as well.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
