That was just to get your attention. Being a Boomer and trying to teach automotive to Gen Y has got to be one of the most challenging and exasperating things I’ve done recently. Although these days, automobiles and trucks incorporate advanced technology these vehicles are still based on a basic mechanical motor and drivetrain. Most students develop their interest in this industry on the mechanical side of it. Although the students are quite prolific in using their cell phones, laptops, I-pads etc. they have no concept of how the technology (electronics) work. Most of them don’t want to take the time to try to learn it. Instant gratification (another problem with these young whipper snappers) is how they have grown up. Like I've read in some of these courses here, they jump in and will read the directions if they have to. That's fine unless you short out and burn up fifteen feet of wire on a new car. They feel that being able to work the laptop; I-pad etc. are enough. They don’t have the patients to sit through a learning session on ohms law, watts law or even wiring diagrams. Although this is how their knowledge will be judged in the industry. One thing we do at the beginning of every 3 week course is inform the student of our requirement to participate in a group presentation on the last day of class. This does give them some class time where they can use the internet to gather information on their topic (auto/diesel/electric related) for their presentation. Aside from that it’s hard to try to incorporate today’s technology into our classes, aside from the typical lab scope or automotive scan tool.
OK now for your joke…
A Boomer and a Y’er walk into a bar… “OWWâ€!
Ha ha ha ha ha ha… I kill me!