This is so important because as an online instructor, you will be teaching many different age groups. Younger students will be naturally more familiar with technology. You have to take into account what your students are familiar with and what they may need extra help with. You must differentiate instruction to try to reach all generations of learners.
Michael,
Right on. It is a matter of understanding your audience and your audience is your students. Thanks!
When you understand the different generations of your students, you can get a piece of mind in the understanding of how they respond to the work assigned to them. What one generation may view in a certain perspective or in a certain way another generation may view differently. This is primarily due to the cultures of how each generation is raised, and gone through days prior to the instructor coming into contact with them.
Patricia,
Good article. Thanks for the link. It's important to know your audience (your students). Thanks for your input.
I read an article about Millennials who have always been able to Google any information they wanted. The article pointed out that they do not value information for information’s sake.
We Baby Boomers must make learning outcomes and activities relevant. Millennials are said to be extremely relational. The term ‘laid-back’ is an important quality in a teacher.
http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/the-five-rs-of-engaging-millennial-students/
Stacy,
Have you tried using any of the online student preparedness inventories student can take to help them understand that whey need to "beef up" if they don't have the skill? They can be helpful and may help alleviate some frustration on the part of the instructor. Thanks!
Hello, everyone.
There are some students have extremely limited experience with being online, especially in an academic setting. They may not be sure what to expect or navigate the various functionalities within a classroom. Consequently, instructors may have to lend them more assistance, or at least, provide them with more resources that will help them. The goal is to level the playing field so they can be just as successful as everyone else in the course.
There may even be students who are more technologically advanced than the instructors. While this might be frustrating, or even intimidating, this could be a learning opportunity for some instructors and other students in the course.
Generally, regardless of what the gaps in age might be, we want to narrow the gap so that the learning experiences are similar.
Megan,
Traditional and non-traditional adult learners are different and have different expectations. Differentiated instruction is important. Thanks for adding to the conversation in this forum.
As a graduate student, I taught (as I imagine most of us did!) traditional students--fresh from high school and deeply unaware of college level expectations. Currently I teach online with mostly non-traditional students; immediately, the difference in the generations became clear. Taking on a stern, authoritative voice when students did not submit work was effective with traditional students; however, the same tone with my non-traditional students was shockingly ineffective. They felt alienated and chastised.
Working toward differentiated instruction in the classroom makes a major difference in not only how I approach the classroom, but in how my students approach me as well. Being a bit flexible and explaining the purpose of each assignment (as needed by baby-boomers and gen-Xers) really has made a difference.
francis,
And, just because students are from the same generation does not mean they all will act exactly alike. We have variances in our personalities. Thanks for your input.
It is important to know your students. Do not assume they are all in the dame generation. If you know he generation you can also be sensitive to the needs they have to provide outside of the course. This will help understand how they are preforming at times.
Timothy,
Yes, you're right. The more we learn about our students (our audience) the better we can move them forward toward the learning outcomes. Good job.
It's important because the generational gaps play a significant roll in how each generation learns, what they consider important and their familiarity with technology.
I see it everyday at work.
Lois and Mike,
Thanks for sharing. Maybe Lois could also share the paper. That may help many more students. Thanks s much.
Lois,
Sounds great. Many times we just need to try different things and get to know our students better to get then all to get involved. Thanks.
James,
Who we are affects how we act, communicate, etc. I like that you mention each person has his/her own construct of reality. That is dead on. Thanks for your input in this forum.
Mike,
I researched and wrote a one page paper on the importance of good written communication. The paper included facts about what employers look for and how prospective employees are weeded out based on their written communication. I posted my small research paper in the document sharing section so my students would understand why I was so big on them knowing and using proper writing skills. Hopefully, it helped some of my students. I certainly understand your frustration.
Dr. Crews,
I had not known about the Generation X students being less communicative and that may have been a reason for some lack of participation in discussions in the past. Understanding the role of generations will help me respond to and encourage students. It makes me more aware of student individual needs and that can assist me in providing students with the tools they need to be more successful.
Many believe that each generation has its own construct of reality. Perhaps it is more accurate to say that people of varying ages have had varying experiences and education that affect their perception of reality. Consequently, this can impact their communication skills, perceptions, and expectations.
As for technical skills, many baby boomers may not have what we expect, but then again, they brought us the technology to begin with!
Aida,
We are all different in amny different ways. The students need to understand their own strengths and weaknesses as they can try to usem their strengths and improve upon their weaknesses with the instructor's guidance and the help of their peers. Thanks!
