New generation of students
Is it just me or has the last threee years brought in a new generation of learners? For me in my department the attitude and intensity of the new students has weaned a little the need for knoweledge is not as strong. Many are only here using the GI bill or dads money to get out of the house. They seem more interested in talking and texting or video play on the phone. I had to dismiss 10 student in three weeks for texting and gaming in class. Of the ten many were either turning in incomplete papers or trying to copy others answers. Lab participation has becomne come and help me I can try this. I know these issues run in cycles but this is the lonngest cycle I have expierenced.
The newer generation has grown up with every need being filled immediately so they do not understand the concept of waiting/earning for anything. With the increase in technology and the overall good economy before 2009 we have spoiled our next generation. By this I mean "we" as parents never made them go without or work for their immediate needs. Children of upper-class and upper middle class are taught they are entitled and should not have to work for things in life. Doing homework and attending class on a regular basis seems to reflect their misguided thinking.
It is sad to see the effects of the helicopter parenting within our soiciety and the effects on their children resulting from their constant interference of children learning coping skills. They have set up their children to fail within society since they have not taught the coping skills required to deal with personal failure. The unfortunate resulf of this is reflected by the violent actions we have seen in the last few years from the younger generation.
I address the views of different generations within my classroom every class I teach. This includes the constant struggle we see in government to pass the necessary laws to encourage economic growth.
Your thoughts on how we can integrate these learning lessons of life within our classrooms?
@dbfuller :In your comments, you emphasized the use of digital learning tools as being important to incorporate to "meet students where they are" so I wanted to make you aware of this older post that you would likely be interested in: Top 100 Tools for Learning 2012.
I fully agree. Because we as a society decided no child should loose a game or be held back in school. Because of this I feel a good portion of our children today do not know how to cope with failure and do not know how to work hard for an achievment. They feel everything should be given to them without any hard work. I was reading an article the other day that Universities are starting to handle fundamental classes differently because so many students are having to take them, which drives up their cost for school. I remember when I went through undergrad. There were not very many people I new that even had to take a fundamental course and it was usually onely one, not multiple courses.
It is ridiculous that these students have to be spoon fed information to pass a class. Even after they fail a class, they just don't get it. I try to be hard on my students, but fair. I feel if I don't work on them in the classroom and push them, how will they get a job or even keep one. They don't understand, in the economy we are in, the employers can choose who ever they would like, no matter what. We are not helping our students, if we don't fully prepare them. I try and teach them that everyone fails at one time or another, no one is perfect. It is what you do with that failure that matters and that is what matters to employers too!
I work in different types of customer service(teaching, nursing and the military) so I see people from all types of backgrounds. And yes I do feel we have a more entitled group of students coming through . But not only are the students but our younger society feels this way. It may be due to the idea that is expressed here that we have tried to tell our children that they are special and deserve it. I don't really see that as wrong but if we haven't also told them but you need to earn it. So hard work and respect are still the key..this will never change .No matter how good you are at getting the most points in your video game or have the newest techology in phones , you will always have to earn true respect and knowledge.
As teachers we can shake our heads or we can learn to incorporate the things our children hold important into our teachings. In the past I never let them use calculators in the early stages of math. Now I use them along side the teaching of doing it the "long way". They are told if you don't understand what you are putting in the machine it won't matter. And I show them the right way to use the calculator when doing the math. Nurses do have to make sure we are giving the correct dose or there could be tragic consequences. So I let them do the math there way and I do mine. I have not killed a patient yet but during our scenarios many students would be in dire straits. Once they can show me they know how to do it the old fashion way they can incorporate the calculator.
These students have different talents than I had and I sometimes enjoy them very much (powerpoint presentations can be so entertaining!)
One of the classes I teach is an Emergency Procedures class. In it I discuss the requirements for medical professionals to be available in any emergency as needed. We discussed having emergency care plans in place for our families so that we can be free to respond in the emergency. It is one of the most hotly debated issues. My younger students, even those without children, balk at the thought of "helping others" at their own personal expense. The older students "get it" and understand the demands of being a professional. So, yes I do believe this younger generation is not prepared for "self-sacrifice" or the concept of "the greater good". Will they mature and respond appropriately when the time comes and their services are needed? I don't know, but I can hope.
I think what we are seeing with today's students is too many distractions. That may seem to manifest itself as narcissm, because they are not really focused on objectives for growth. They are more concerned with what other people are doing and saying, so that they can be with the "in crowd."
There was a time when the only distraction was television, now there is e-mail, twitter, facebook, tango,texting and cell phone calls, just to name the ones I know about.
I think as instructors we have to help students stay focused and to realize what their main objectives and goals should be. Social activites have their place, but we must prioritize our time in order to be productive in society.
As stated, by the previous instructor I believe we must not lower our standards, but set the bar at a place where all students can exel at their personal best. We must also help students identify when they are making excuses and when there is a legitimate issue. Most of the time students just need a little motivation from instructors to get them on the right path.
I really did not know how to initially respond to this issue on narcissim.
I have respect for our students in Cleveland. In many respects, people have changed as to what is considered the "norm." Most students work or have worked at responsible jobs for many years. Many have been "bossses." Many students' motivational drive includes earning money to continue to support themselves and others. They are serious about finishing their programs and serious about not being able to provide for themselves and others during this college time as well as seriously concerned about finding a job in their major after completion. Perhaps one reason they have a sense of entitlement, would be that recreating themselves on a blank slate with us is challenging and would lead them to boast about themselves in past experiences. Most of our students, I have found, have an electronic social habit. It is up to all the college directors/staff to address this consistently across the board. We do need to keep in mind to write the policy in the syllabi, read aloud in classes, and professionally handle the first offender per policy. (I also tell these adults that they need to tell their social/home folks when to contact them. In case of an emergency, call the main office, or if a business call is unavoidable--let me know and "vibrate" the phone and step out to the hall.) It is possable that the student has not had appropriate role model at home. Help students.
Although i notice some of my students had narcissistic behavior but i think it was present with same percent in all generation whom i taught for the last forty years. I say the percent of students are not dominating in today's students. ofcourse narcissistic depends on how the parents build up thier child,i think if the parents have narcissistic behaviour the child will have too. thank you
Although i notice some of my students had narcissistic behavior but i think it was present with same percent in all generation whom i taught for the last forty years. I say the percent of students are not dominating in today's students. ofcourse narcissistic depends on how the parents build up thier child,i think if the parents have narcissistic behaviour the child will have too. thank you
I have noticed that the latest generation of students has become so involved with their phones that it sometimes seems imposable to seperat them it. At first I thought it was rude but I have come to notice that it dosn't mater what they are doing they are always messing with thier phones. I think it may come from the fact that they have always been doing more than one thing at a time. I don't think of it as rude anymore but it does create a chalange to get them to proform and take care of thier class work.
