Diagramming sentences???? I have no idea what that is either :-)
In the county I live in elementary school students are handed iPads rather than textbooks and I do not think that they will ever learn how to write without the use of computers. Grammar and spelling will be checked automatically.
The hard thing about this is that new words are added to the dictionary all the time. Many times we may think that a word used is a slang word just to find out later that it was added to the dictionary a year before and is considered a real word.
The issue with lingo is a big one. As a GenXer myself, I am often clueless as to the lingo used by my millenial students.
We all learn differently and the way we were raised and taught has a big impact on how we learn as adults. Baby Boomers did not have Internet when they were raised so they are not as familiar with the online technology than us younger generations. They may not understand that shorthand lingo and may be hesitant to join the conversation.
It is important to understand generational differences as some students are not as comfortable with technology and online environment than others. Baby Boomers, for example, were not raised with Internet and e-mail access so they may not be as ready to participate than the Millenials.
Members of each generation will have their own expectations as to what is needed for learning in the classroom. It is important for instructors to focus on these expectations when developing a course so that no one group is left out. It is always more challenging when there are members from different generations in one class!
It is very important that teaching and learning practices create a supportive learning environment through effective interaction between students, instructor and the content of the course. Critical to this process is understanding the communication styles of a heterogeneous group of students we have in today’s online learning environment. As part of course expectations, the instructor can provide communication guidelines that take into account the different styles and also set an example for good communication through feedback and responses to students. Thanks
Establishing a pattern of communication for an online course has many important considerations. It can emphasize to students the importance of professionalism in communication not only in academic environments but in their career fields as well. Written words become ambassadors for the writer and readers will form many basic opinions of the writer based on the words chosen and the writer’s ability to use of those words correctly.
Establishing a pattern of communication also helps eliminate confusion among students as to the difference between informal and formal communication, demonstrating that things such as texting shortcuts are inappropriate in both academic and professional written communication.
Providing a “rules of the communication road†can help assure everyone respects others, observes proper directives and eliminate head-on collisions with others.
Older students often face two basic issues in my experience. First is the self-defeating attitude of “I’m too old to learn new things – you can’t teach old dogs new tricks.†This is of course a false conception both literally and metaphorically. As a pretty old-timer myself, I know that learning new things is not only possible, it’s essential to keep my mind healthy. I can’t run as fast as I could at 20 but I can still get where I need to go. In the same way, my mind may not grasp things as quickly as when I was 20 but with a proper attitude and patience, I can learn whatever I want.
The second issue is one of not being open to new ideas. New information is going to do one of three things to information I already have stored in my mental resource library. It’s going to validate what I already know, modify what I already know or replace what I already know. The last two can be difficult sometimes, particularly if the new information challenges beliefs instilled through social, religious or even previous educational experiences. It’s important to remember that a mind that doesn’t change doesn’t grow – at any age.
Understanding communication differences among generations will help the instructor provide differentiated instruction. It will also help instructors alter their communication and design activities to more appropriately reach each student and help them achieve the learning outcomes. It will also help build a viable online learning community.
Understanding characteristics of each generation will help facilitate communication on many levels, among students and instructor and vice versa. It will also help communication with others involved in the course thus building a sense of community among all those involved in the course and all those at workplace.
Wendy,
Your first sentence may say it all. We did grow up with different technologies, different ways of communicating and different experiences. We bring this to the classroom. Thanks!
Eman,
We are all different whether within or outside a generation. Therefore, we do act different, communicate differently and have different learning personalities. We have to remind ourselves about that. Thanks for your input.
Kym,
Keep emphasizing professionalism. I had the opportunity to speak with a group of high school students and I explained to them that an email to a professor is a professional setting and should be dealt with as such. Keep it up!
Rodney and Mike,
I even give examples in my syllabus about what the spellchecker does not catch (i.e., hear/here, their/there, etc.) and note that it is the students responsibility to read documents carefully and be their own spellchecker. Thanks!
Generations grew up with different modes and means of technology. Many of the baby boomers have the drive to succeed but do not have the technology background to feel comfortable in the online environment. It is important for the students to feel comfortable and have support so they have success in the online environment.
Hello Tena and everyone,
Different communication styles exist because of generational differences. Instructors need to understand these differences among generations so that they develop a blended approach to reach all their students from different generations to achieve the learning outcomes of the course.
Rodney,
Ah - a snippet may be just enough to spark their interest and challenge them to do better. Thanks!
Rodney,
As we are different and we have different learning personalities, we do communicate differently. Keeping this in mine is a good thing. Thanks.
Dr. Tena B. Crews
There is nothing more important than assuring that our students realize how essential it is that they write and speak well in the world of business. I have been in the position of going through resumes and cover letters. I remember throwing those out that had spelling and grammar errors in them.
Tina and Dr. Crews,
For each weekly assignment I provide assignment hints that include snippet examples. I also talk about and provide examples of the importance of integrating the assignment question into the student's answer.
Rodney C.
Mike,
I chuckled a bit at your comment on student's using spell checker as a crutch. I am always happy when students take the time to use correct grammar and spell checking versus "texting style."
Proper grammar includes spelling, word usage, capitalization, and punctuation; therefore, it is important for students to transition from text talk to formal writing for academic assignments (and professional workplace assignments as well).
Rodney C.
