Because different generations bring varied strenghts and experience to the classroom.
Tony,
Any time we have students do some type of research report, we too stress APA style. This is a difficult thing for students to grasp, but once they do, the reports seem to come out better. Thanks!
Tony,
You provide some good examples of language to use. We always get a variety of students and it's important to think about what language we use with different audiences. Thanks!
Sandy—even when our school stressed the importance of APA writing, I stressed the importance of business-professional writing. Most students come to us in order to advance their professional careers. Some use of APA is important but parts of it do not make for a solid business professional tone.
I’m a genX’er teaching technology courses to predominantly adult learners. Some of them have not been in a school environment in years. Having taught thousands of students, I can make a just a few generalizations.
The technologies I teach are not as intuitive to the boomers as they are with younger generations. Boomers may have to work harder to learn. Some of the boomers aren’t afraid to ask for help. I alter my tone to be more cheerleader-like: “you can do this!â€
Some of my students do not take personal responsibility for their educational process. These tend to be the younger self-entitled ones. I alter my tone to be authoritative: “I’m happy to help you. I want you to succeed but you have to be willing to do the workâ€.
I can’t generalize beyond the few points I just mentioned.
Some of my students have poor communication skills. Some of them are younger and some are older.
Some of my students are very determined to succeed. Some of them are younger and some are older.
Frances,
When we understand our students, who are of various generations, we can better help them move toward the learning objectives and improve upon their weaknesses. Thanks!
In order to communicate effectively, we should understand how each generation operates differently from the other. In an online class, as with many college/university classes, there are multi-generational students in the classroom.
Instructors who understand these differences will have a better handle on how to deal with issues and help students in the classroom. Students need to also be aware of how different generations operate so that there is less likelihood of misunderstandings whether working in groups or answering DB questions.
Frances
Dr. Ruby,
You are right. We all communicate differently and it's important to understand our students (of different generations) so that we can communicate most effectively. Thanks!
Everyone will not communicate nor respond to online communication in the same way. Therefore, it's important to note the different ways in which the various generations think an communicate. For example some younger students may communicate in cryptic text message type language. Although this is not appropriate for quality online learning, the students may still use that form of communication. Some learners may not understand the various nuances of that type of communication.
Carolyn,
I agree. Although all Gen Y or any generation cannot be plugged in to all the specific qualities of that generation, it gives us an overall view of the students and helps us understand them more fully. Thanks!
I believe it is so important to understand the role of generations in online so you can understand the difficulty one may have in online.
I have found the students who tend to be older in the baby boomer generation they are not tech savvy (they are getting better but it is more difficult for them) and the students of the Gen Y they are very tech savvy because they grew up in the time where they learned about it.
I can say my 2 daughters are very tech savvy because when they were in kindergarten they were already doing stuff for school on the computer where when I was in high school I was taking typing on a typewriter.
I feel understand the differences in the generations can help you communicate more effectively with your students on how to submit assignments, where to go to do the DB etc.
MeriAnn,
You are right. Understand the generations is just one part of the educational process and getting to know our students. The more we get to know them, the more comfortable they will feel and more they will reach toward the learning outcomes. Thanks!
Just like with any other educational environment it is important to know your students and their learning styles. Understanding generations is a piece of that because we, as instructors, can better tailor our messages to them so that they have better understanding and feel more comfortable in the online learning environment.
Muriel,
The more we understand our students, no matter what generation, the better we can reach them. You are correct. Thanks!
It is important to understand the role generations play so that we can effectively and efficiently connect to them through communication.
We have to keep in mind the technical learning curves of the older generation and provide guidance for them to be successful in spite of these barriers.
Karen,
You are right . Each generation is is different and we have to strive to reach all of them through various ways to build upon their strengths. Thanks!
It is important to understand the roles generations play in communication in the online community play because it will determine the type of exchange that will take place. Based on the student's generation they will have a tendency to be more or less social, dialogue and communication will be more or less formal based on the generation. As students collaborate in the online community the Gen X and Gen Y may want to introduce or include more technology. It is also necessary for the students to understand the make up of each generation so that they will understand why a person may think or act in a certain way, further enhancing and building on the strengths of each generation.
Su,
We all don't necessarily fall perfectly into all characteristic of just one generation, but the characteristics do give us, as instructors, important information about our students. Thanks for your posting.
Dr. Crews and thread:
It is important to understand the role of generations in the online community because it greatly impacts communication in the course. For example, in the lecture we read that for Baby Boomers, technology may be a challenge. One must find ways to guide the learner towards using the channels of communication in an online community. This will have an impact in how the learner is involved and interacting in the course. Another reason for understanding generational roles is the 'how to ' in communication-- how do you communicate to the different generations? Each generation has a different style in their communication. As an instructor it is important to recognize this and tailor it to it for successful communication.
Cheers
Su
Michael,
Customizing communication can be a challenge, but you are correct that the more we understand our students, the more we can do this. Thanks!
