Aversion to Gen Y
It seems, through reading these posts, that instructors have a general aversion to teaching Gen Y students. They are often deemed as lazy, inconsiderate, "sheep" that tweet and Facebook all day. We have to embrace that this is the environment in which they grew up in, and work with them to mold them into the learners we want them to be! After all, they didn't create the technology that they are using incessantly, the generations before them did-- so why are we blaming them for using it, when we should be teaching them to use it responsibly?
I agree that technology is a plus in our lives and classrooms. I am most saddened by the indirect relationship of technological advances to what I call manners or common courtesy. Yes, we have always had distractions in the classroom, but at least when kids were called out for passing notes they generally apologized or responded with "No, ma'am. I will not do it again" as opposed to the immature eye-rolling and tantrums I see when GenYers are ask to "unplug" or at least make it through a restaurant meal with real life communication rather than virtual. I know it seems a clash of generations but there has to be some compromise between technology and old school manners. I am solid Gen Xer but I still hold the thought none of us are "that important" that we can't be unconnected from our social networks during a class period. Professors take class time away from their phones, Twitters and FB long enough to provide quality content and critical thinking opportunities. I think student should show respect and do the same. Am I wrong?
Jaye,
You make a good point, but before you are too offended let me encourage you with the fact that at least people are writing courses about how to reach/teach your generation, as opposed to my Gen X which is generally overlooked between the boomers & Gen Y. With the distractions I agree that this is nothing new, we've always battled these in the classroom. The biggest difference I've personally seen is that the current generation (as a whole) tends to view this as a right & almost seem offended if they are asked to refrain. This seems to be a more recent development.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Kathryn,
I find these posts generally awkward because I am a member of Generation Y. It is hard not to find them offensive on one hand but also generally tone deaf on the other.
Facebook is a real distraction, but I have to wonder if this distraction is notable because it is tractable. Passing notes, sleeping, crosswords, cartoons, and doodles are not an invention of the last decade.
But to that note as a correction, most of the technology used as a distraction such as Twitter, Facebook, etc were created by Gen Ys. Mark Zuckerberg was a college freshman when he launched facebook in 2003.
Thank you for your time,
Prof. Davidson
As instuctors we have engaage the students with more and more technologies to cope up with the new trend.
James ,
yes & this is true for each individual class as well as generational cohorts.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Each group of students presents a dynamic for which instructors have to engage their own critical thinking to avoid negative generalizations. In my opinion, we must be careful to avoid developing a "one size fits all" mentality when using technology and formatively assess the needs and diversity of each group. Often, it is impossible to get a perfect mix which leads to frustration on the part of the instructor and student. However, we keep trying.
Kathryn,
exactly! We can use these technologies & still teach critical thinking, good research skills, etc.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
