MARIE,
No two set of students are alike. We can be teaching two sections of the same course and the class climate is different, the students learn differently, the students interest is different, their experience is different, etc. Thank you.
MARIE and Jane,
Today's technology will keep changing too. Who knows what will come out next. ;-) We have to stress professional communication and that does not typically include texting langugage. Thanks for your input.
MARIE,
Each generation "brings something to the table." As we learn from each other and develop respect for each other, it's important to better understand each other.
Thanks for your feedback.
Hello Tyra,
I agree not all students are the same? As instructor's we must be careful not to generalize our students into one category.
Marie Osuna
Hello Jane,
You’re absolutely correct! I think with today's technology and the use of text language or lingo is really affecting our students’ way of communicating in a professional setting.
Marie Osuna
I believe it is important to understand the characteristics of each generation in order to better assist the students. Acknowledgment of each generation will also help build community in the classroom and enhance the necessary skills needed for the workplace.
Marie Osuna
Melissa,
Sure - it's all about getting to know your audience. Each set of students is different and we want to figure out the best way to deliver content and help them achieve the learning outcomes.
Paula,
Although each person in a particular generation may not fit all of the characteristics or there may be people "on the line" between generations, it's important to think about the audience at different generation levels. Thanks!
Understanding the generational perspective of a person can be just as telling as understanding the cultural or economic or regional perspective of a person. A key component of effective communication is understanding your audience and generation is one aspect of your audience. When you consider this aspect you can more effectively craft your message. You can choose the most appropriate tone and words and mode to best ensure your message reaches your audience in the way you intended. ~Melissa
It is important to understand the role that generations play in communications in the online community because each generation comes with different experiences. Some generations learned to communicate effectively face to face due to the nature of the available technology; or the lack thereof. Some generations may be lacking skills needed to successfully empathize with others because of their overexposure and reliance upon technology. As the instructor, it is our job to meet the needs of each generation to ensure online learning success.
Joy,
Ah - we have limited time and space. I am happy to discuss them more in this forum or you can email me. We are trying to just open the conversation and start the ball rolling and think about how they play a part in your teaching. Thanks for your inout.
I actually was quite disappointed with the "discussion" provided on the generations. I am interested to know where these generalizations came from? Where are the primary sources that indicate millenials are less social than baby boomers? Or that millenials lack empathy as compared to any other group?
Older adults may perceive younger generations as less social because they don't spend hours talking on the phone. However, I think it's time that we re-evaluate how we measure being social. The constant post updates on Twitter and FaceBook as well as the highly interactive online games would indicate that perhaps these generations are more social across a variety of modalities. Perhaps different social skills are being learned due to exposure to different environments.
I also would like to know if we are appropriately comparing these measures. For example, a millenial may be seen as less empathetic than a baby boomer, not because these are innate characteristics of the entire generation. Perhaps millenials lack empathy because they are at an age when most people are less empathetic. Have studies been done to test the empathy levels of baby boomers at the age of 25-30? Or are we comparing the empathy level of a group of 25-30 year-olds to that of 50-55 year-olds?
Overall, I am disappointed that this course would make such sweeping generalities concerning generations. We don't need to understand varying generations. What we need to do is foster awareness that each student will have a unique relationship with technology. Some students may adapt quickly and others will have more trouble, no matter when they were born. Finally, success with technology is more about experience and availability of technology than age.
Tyson,
You are so right. As we communicate and learn from each other, it's the different generations we can learn from as many times they don't think like we do nor do things like we do. Thanks for your input.
Alice,
I like your phrase "keep it all moving." That's really what we do with communication and engagement in the online classroom. Good way to think about it.
Thanks!
Michael,
Sounds like you have a system that works for you. Thanks for sharing. We learn from these postings.
Jenifer,
You are right. Like any group of students we are analyzing the audience (our students) to communication and teach more effectively. Thanks for your input.
Rashunda,
We need to include everyone in the conversation. Therefore, when we learn more about others, we learn how to more effectively communicate with them.
Thanks for bringing this up.
Juliet,
You are right. I have given examples in business communication before about how things were interpreted differently by different people. We've all been there. Thanks!
Jenifer,
Yes, they should be transcribed or close captioned to be ADA compliant or you need to have another way for all students to access the information. There are software packages to assist.
Each generation can bring important things to the table. The hard work ethic of the baby boomers, the technology of generation X and the social abilites of the Mellenials. We need to see each as an important part of the group and pull out their strengths for the rest of the class to grow from.
