I try to make my lectures as engaging and humorous as possible and integrate technology as much as is possible. Often if a question comes up I will direct the students to search for the answwers themselves and remiind them that never before in history has there been so instant a way to seek information on their own and how important a tool that can be.
I find that my Gen Y students are excited about personal anecdotes about my industry experience. It seems to help when I can illustrate a technique by relating it to a story. I also find that Gen Y students will step up when I raise the bar for their performance.
One strategy I use which Gen Yers tend to appreciate is to give an entire project and all instructions for the project up front. Often it is wise to assign a multi-step project one step at a time. This is good for other types of learners but the Gen Yers want to know everything that is expected of them up front. It sometimes goes against what I know to be best for the student because they may feel overwhelmed, but Gen Yers usually insist on all of the information up front.
I've found that a good knowledge of technological advances, specifically in the fields of social media and entertainment, have been incredibly helpful in relating to my students.
assigning research topics to small groups of students seems to not only capture their attention but also has them coming up with questions beyond expectation that allow for a broader class discussion.
you could call it an "open book" exam but knowing where to find information and judging the quality of that information is where it's at in the 21st century.
I have a lot of luck asking students to research a topic for discussion the next day if I want them to have an informed discussion.
I have very little success getting them to actually read the syllabus and be prepared for an activity or exam without reminding them.
I'm constantly stymied by what they will and will not take the initiative to do because my perception of what is "easy" and "difficult" is clearly very different.
I agree with this. I've tried using open book pop quizzes instead. That way, the students can read and study, however their pop quiz will be an open ended essay question with a time frame where they must think. Usually the questions I ask are of an opinion from the homework given the night before. The information is still fresh in their heads.
I try to incorporate as much of their technology and social culture into the classroom as possible. I do encourage them to use their phones to research answers during lectures, and also try to turn them on to reliable websites. I do not allow technology during testing, unless it is the occasional "open-book" test. I have also encouraged them to use their Facebook to help with certain assignments which require them to ask a group of people for feedback. Lastly, I have set up class Twitter accounts that allow the class to interact with each other for assignments outside of the classroom.
Caryn,
These are all great ways to engage the students & really to keep the discussion going after the class period .
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Sarah,
This is definitely an approach that can be taken based on the comfort level of the instructor & the behavior of the class.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Some of the strategies I have used for Gen Yers include:
1. always ending the lecture with a question of, how can I incorporate what I just learned into a real world setting? This allows the students to critically think, as well as make them feel like the learning they just accomplished has real merit.
2. Since I teach psychology, I also love to show short videos to give visual learners a chance to see what disorders look like in reality. Gen Y wants the chance to see a visual, instead of just reading text and assuming what these characteristics are.
3. In class assignments that go deeper into the topics (i.e., how would you solve homelessness) allows students to actually use the information they just learned and think critically.
4. Media- setting up facebook polls on current class topics, having them go out and interview individuals on the street using their camera phones, creating multi-media presentations. Anything that helps keep the class alert and motivated. Gen Y has a short attention span. You must always "wow" them or they lose interest. In today's world of short video clips and wikipedia, you need to remind Gen Y about the importance of formal schooling, or they take on the mindset of "I can teach this to myself online."
I actively encourage them to use their phones during class. This takes away the feeling that they are "getting away with something" and allows them to take notes using their phones.
I agree. As a chef instructor, telling stories from the field is a great way to grab the student's attention, and get them interested in the skills we are teaching. In my opinion, technology plays no part in the kitchen. Unless we are using the lastest steam injection oven, immersion circulator, etc.
Since "connectivenesss" and an "interest in other cultures" is of great interest to the Generation Y student, I find that my Powerpoint presentations in my course of "Cuisines Across Cultures" is a wonderful eye opener to different cultures, what they eat, and if they prepare and consume similar or different food staples, and dishes than the US food producers and diners.
Project papers on Internataional products, ingredients, and their uses in "herb and spice mixtures", and flavorings, also stimulates their curiosity about other cultures. A good stratergy for success in classtoom discussions and menu planning.
One strategy I employ in my classroom is the use of technology by the student during presentation. They must use some form of technology (computer, internet site, Microsoft Office, video, audio etc.). They like to see what their peers have done to incorporate technology into their presentation.
I teach medical assisting and I have found youtube, internet searches, google and yes even their phones in class a help. For example when we are talking about EKG waves, this is a very complicated subject for them and after I have drawn the wave on the board in different colors and described them and the intervals and segments, I allow them to take pictures with their phones. Often when doing venipunctures and injections I let them video it so that they can go home and review through the step by step processes and have found this really helps them. I do have to say, I myself am a GenX and later GenX and love where technology has gone it really does make our lives and jobs easier. Working with the younger GenY students I learn even more everyday and they can bring a real knowledge into the classroom to share.
I have not taugh Gen Y. that is why I choose to take this class, I have learned so much and will be well prepared in the future when I do have the opportunity to teach this generation.
I have group projects in and out of classroom, since this generation learns in small groups and enjoy the interaction. I share a great deal of life experiences and prompt them to share their own experiences and make the classroom environment interactive.
Scott, I also agree that the younger adult student is looking to us as role models, I believe that kind firm structure in the classroom, along with instructional activities, frequent breaks, and some humor, the younger generation has a lot to offer to older adult students. I often pair different generations together in assignments.
