It is important to understand the different generations because each of them bring different qualities to the table. Understanding their strengths and weaknesses will help the instructor facilitate their learning during the course.
Matthew,
Not all of those in a certain generation will fit all characteristics, but many characteristics will be true about the generations. Understand them all will help us better understand our students. Thanks for sharing.
Chezree,
Bridging the gap is an excellent point to make. The more we understand others, in any situation, the better we can communicate with them. Thanks for your input.
Penelope,
You bring up some very good points. We do seem to learn what to do from those around us. If we have the same experiences as others, we may want to check out the Generations Cohort Theory. There's always a theory. ;-)
Dr. Thomas,
You can try synchronous office hours and web cams to have the F2F communication. But, you are right, the communication in other ways needs to be frequent and clear. Thanks.
You have to consider generational differences in an online community because each generation has a different level of experience with technology. Typically Baby Boomers are the most inexperienced, Gen Y are the most experienced, and Gen X is in the middle.
However, it's important not to assume a younger student (Gen X or Y) is experienced with technology. Some people of those generations are just adverse to it, while others may not have had the financial means to buy it, thus their experience might be severely limited. Conversely, some Baby Boomers may be computer whizzes and don't require any remedial help.
The major problem is not having face to face interaction. Its important to have communication with students on a regular bases (emails, discussion and proper feedback on all assignments etc.). Being aware of the generations is important on "how" you give feedback.
Judy,
It is always fun to look at the personalities people take on. Thanks for sharing with us.
It is important to understand the role generations place in communication in the online community for the following reasons:
1. So that the instructor has a better understanding of each generation’s priorities, values, and attitudes.
2. Having the capacity to bridge the cap of communication with each generation so that students can remain engaged in the course and receives the necessary instruction, especially for those who are not as connected with the age of technology.
3. Being able to provide examples to students on how they can be successful in the online course and aiding their ability to generate ideas that can be communicated with others to increase retention and participation.
4. For those generations that are more technologically savvy, having a better understanding of their capabilities and encouraging them to remain focused and engaged in the course.
Although it is important to understand the role that each generation plays in communication, at the same time, I feel that it is just as important to point out that we need to avoid stereotypes. Although the lesson provides general knowledge of each generation, it is not necessarily the "general rule" or practice for all individuals within those categories listed. Using myself as an example, I honestly did not recognize myself in the millennial category and would disagree on many of the assessments provided.
People generally are a product of their environment which is why Gen Yers are considered digital natives. Digital natives were born into a world of computers and digital media while digital immigrants (Baby Boomers) had to migrate over to computers and many were and still are reluctant. When I first introduced my father, who was a Baby Boomer, to computers he ranted and raved about how they would be the destruction of this world. I tried to prove him wrong by introducing him to the card game solitaire. He loved it and he was hooked, staying up till 3 in the morning playing digital cards. After I moved to America he learned to use email to communicate with me and my kids and he thought it was magic which is why he named his email address magico @... I tell that story to my students when attempting to explain the differences between the generations in regards to technology.
I am a Baby Boomer who raised three children from the X/Y generation. Their birth dates all fell into the cusp between the years, yet each one of them has taken on one of the descriptions to a "t"
Cynthia,
Your last sentence is awesome. I like your words and they will motivate others to continue helping students to achieve. Thanks.
Hello All,
I think it is important to understand the role generations play in communication in the online community because some X'ers and most Millennials as indicated in the module, speak, write, and think from a perspective that is unacceptable in the higher education environment. However, the lack of proper written and verbal communication skills does not necessarily mean the student is void of critical thinking skills; it means I must teach them how to translate video gaming strategies to logic and critical thinking about texts. . It is at this point that I am able to engage some of these learners.
Yes, many come to the online class for convenience and other agendas. The majority of these students are unmotivated therefore in the name retention, I find that I must motivate the unmotivated, encourage the discouraged and tutor the unprepared.
Esther,
Excellent. I like how you worded your thoughts and made us think about the different generations in conjunction with the different learning styles. Thanks!
Mary,
Ah - like the analogy of snowflakes and fingerprints. That's a good way to think about it.
Nice job.
Christine,
We all need to learn more about each other to understand the needs of each other. This is true in life and in the classroom. Thanks for your input.
Mike, didn't we call this the fishbone method?
There may be several generations of students in the class. It's best to understand the characterists of each general to successfully communicate with them. Once you know something about each group, you should integrate the different styles in the course.
It has been known for a long time that no two snowflakes or human finger prints are exactly alike. Generationally speaking, it is recognized today that individuals in their 50’s and 60’s differ from those in their mid 30’s into their late 40’s, and those in their 20’s and early 30’s in a variety of ways. The first group, the Baby Boomers, tend to be socially skilled and driven, while the second group, the Generation X’ers, tend to be laid back socially, preferring to work independently while the third group, the Millenials, tend to be totally technologically driven. Given such diversity, it makes sense that instructors teaching online students must fully understand their students and create ways to meet their needs in order to obtain the best performance from each. The onus is on the teacher more than ever before when it comes to online classes populated by individuals who represent such wide ranging diversity.
Understanding the role generations play in communication will make us help the students better in understanding the course content. For example, it was mentioned in the module that baby boomers, in most cases, are not tech savvy. With that said, we can reach out to them if we think that they need help in a certain software or even obvious things like attaching a file in an e-mail.
