Generational Roles
Why is it important to understand the role generations play in communication in the online community?
Cynthia,
Understanding our audience, the students, is essential. This thoroughly helps the communication and develops the understanding of expectations. Nice job.
It is important to understand the role that generations play in communications in the online community because each generation comes with different behaviors, expectations and experiences. As we see by the different generational groups some prefer face-to-face communications, others find technology second nature, even expect others to be just as savvy as they are with technology, and and they may even find it difficult to empathize with others due to their reliance upon technology. Effectively managing a course room of students who span the gamete of generations is challenging.
Catherine,
We are all different and the more we learn about each other, the more we learn from each other. Thanks!
Nice example.
We are teaching and working in an atmosphere with three distinct generations, each with their own skills sets and unique needs. For instance, Millennial students learn best with a more personal approach by faculty and assimilate technology easily.
Amer,
We learn from each other all the time and when we better understand each other, the more we learn. Good job.
It is important to have a basic understanding of the role of generations in communication with the online community because different generations have different communication expectations and skills, and as emphasized by this module successful and proper communication are important to achieve a successful learning environment.
Terry,
Good examples. I like the fact that you thought about the different generations and what you may "run into." Thanks!
As an online instructor, being able to identify the different generations helps the instructor "help" students communicate more effectively. For example, if I were helping a baby boomer, I might be helping with the installation of a software needed for my course. With a Millennial, I may be explaining why we don't use abbreviations and acronyms within our writing and perhaps refer them to our writing center. When teaching communication to your students, not only do we try to bridge that gap between on-ground and online relationships but to also bridge the gap between students and their generations.
Geri,
Respect is essential in all environments, but when we have to learn to understand others to build that respect. Thanks!
It shows mutual respect between all genrations
Antonio,
So glad you know yourself so well. Many do not. When you understand yourself, you can then begin to understand others as well. Thanks!
I am definitely a GenX person. As much as I am a friendly and outgoing person, I like things to the point. I do not like to waste my time, and expect others to respect that. The same way I have expectations by being a GenX, I have to understand that others will have their ways of doing things, I must cope and work within their needs too.
Stacy,
Good example. It is good that you are working toward getting to know your students and recognizing strategies to help them connect and learn from each other. Thanks!
Generational roles play a huge part in the student's ability to access the information and then have the skills to proceed through the course meeting the objectives.
Typically, BabyBoomers are consumed with learning the technology, but once connected, they tend to excel in the environment.
The Millenia generation can handle the technology with ease, but tends to become disinterested in the material and fails to perform without continuous outreach.
Sheila,
It all comes back (as you said) to communication and knowing your students. "We," as humans, are all different. Thanks!
Understanding the role generations play in communication is a piece of understanding your learner, which is critical for success in teaching. Just as we focus on differentiating instruction in the classroom to meet different learning styles, we must look at differentiating communication to meet different communication needs. It is critical to teach students the rules to communication to set them up for success.
Kimberly,
You are so right. We all learn differently and the more we know our students, the more we can help them succeed.
Thanks!
Knowing and understanding the different generation roles you may have in your classroom is imperative. Not everyone learns the same exact way which means not everyone communicates in the same way either. Knowing and understanding how and why your students communicate the way they do is key to being able to help them.
Kim C
Sandra,
You bring up a very good point about Baby Boomers working longer and communicating with a wide variety of students. The more we understand our students, the better we can communicate with them. Nice job.
