Get Your Students Hired
This is a general discussion forum for the following learning topic:
Teaching Multigenerational Learners --> Instructional Strategies for Gen Y and Gen Z Students
Post what you've learned about this topic and how you intend to apply it. Feel free to post questions and comments too.
Both Gen Z and Gen Y learners like to stay active in their learning, they are both used to growing up with technology that incorporated that into teaching will help them gain knowledge.
While I can see where being aware of the generations and their differences in learning is important, there is a part of me that thinks they need to adapt to the instructor at some point. In the real world nobody will really care what generation they are from and they will be expected to act professionally and get the job done within the framework of the existing structure. I once worked in a position where scheduling was based on seniority. A newer employee complained openly about how unfair this was to newcomers and how it interfered with his personal goals and life. It was very frustrating to listen to after having done my time to get to the point where I had some say in my schedule. They also need to learn to accept the way things are done in a setting while at the same time learning when to offer input on a better way of doing something.
"I hear, and I forget; I see, and I remember; I do and I understand." And understanding leads to change and growth!
I absolutely love this, and it is so true.
I do see so many young people who do not have problem solving skills. And that is part of the clinical experience. Helping them identify a problem and develop a solution is the way to teaching them critical thinking.
I learned that Gen Y & Gen Z need to learn problem-solving skills and critical thinking because that is what most employers are looking for now.
Students must be able to actively engage with the content, and using technology and real-life experiences makes it interesting.
Gen Y and gen Z prefer active learning and they want to get involved into the learning process.
It was interesting to read about cell phones and how dependent students are on their cell phones
Very informative. Gen Z & Y are both so technological, I feel that we need to continue to push them outside their comfort zones because there is critical thinking outside technology - important for the future generations
All generations want the same thing: to use the most recent technology while also having the contact delivered in an engaging way.
IT is very obvious that teaching generation Y,Z can help also teach the boomers, and generational technical knowledge which they can learn from their peers.
No matter to which generation the students belong to, they are in the class room for a common goal of gaining knowledge that will help them grow in their chosen respective career. The instructor can definitely plan certain assignments, discussions or group activities for facilitating this learning process as the Gen Y and Gen Z (mainly the student population nowadays) relate to them so much better. Sharing life experiences of the students and the instructor is another very potent way to accumulate and improve the learning experience.
I learned that Gen Y & Z students can lack critical thinking and problem solving skills. I will work to give them more opportunities to practice those skills in my classes.
I thought the statement about gen Z & Y are not use to having their opinions challenged because they have been expressing their opinion in an online format that does not allow for immediate, in-person feedback was really interesting. The group I have now are predominantly gen Z & Y and class discussions have been challenging. I also have had some class dynamics that play into these generations not knowing how to navigate interpersonal professional relationships. This module was very helpful.
Many strategies and methods were discussed to engage different generational cohorts. Examples include the Socratic Method, Critical Thinking, Being Heard and Guide on the Side. All are effective and enhance student-centered instruction.
Instructors need to work on earning respect and giving it to their students. Once respect is earned then rapport can be established. Rapport provides a foundation upon which learning and personal growth can be built. Respect and rapport need to be established between and among students as well.
My biggest takeaway was the importance for instructors to incorporate teaching strategies that provide opportunities for observing, doing, exploring, expanding, and problem-solving. These strategies will effectively engage many different generational learners and create a dynamic learning environment that caters to their unique characteristics and preferences.