Technology has impacted the learning process Gen Y students by they have it all at their finger tips. The web is endless. They can look anything up in minutes. Long gone are the days of when you have to go book by book and encyclopedias and dictionaries were on everyone bookshelves.
As noted in the readings unlike Gen X people that often recall when things developed technologically most Gen Y students grew up with technology. The internet for example has always been a key part of their life and they view technology as essential and a way of life not supplementary. Thus they will expect to be taught using the most current technological methods. They will struggle if technological options are down or unavailable and may not easily adapt to learning in a different way.
Jeff,
I would agree that there is a need to help this generation learn more patience & a certain level of endurance.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I feel that Gen Y has many more opportunities to engage in the learning process. They have a variety of forums in which to research information, they are computer savvy and can navigate and trouble-shoot problems, and they can actually teach the prior generations a lot about different teaching styles.
Generation Y leaners have grown up with technology to access information and to communicate with peers. These students enjoy using technology to learn concepts. As an educator, it has been fun learning how to use new technology to use in the classroom to facilitate learning. I embrace technology, and have found it easy to adapt my lessons in order to stimulate the students and give them access to up-to-date information.
James, I have found that if I give them flashcards that they create online they like them and can download them to their smart phone or I-pad.
I agree, and in every course I teach one of my first assignments is to discern credible websites. I also give them a list of websites that are not credible and cannot be used as a source for course assignments.
Maintaining relativity of the topic and approach and recognizing peer group pressures are necessary with Gen Y.
ILEANA,
thank you for demonstrating ways that we can incorporate the technology into our courses to best help these learners.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Mark,
yes, because of the availability of information, it seems a struggle sometimes for this generation to stay focused on the task at hand.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I think technology has helped them to learn. These students can multi-task and know how to research. Lisa
Gen Y students are expected to take charge of their own learning more so than previous generations. This is easier for those students who have clear ideas about their future career direction. For others, time management often becomes an issue and a struggle.
Given Gen Y's 'addiction' to social media (especially Facebook) - to what extent is it worthwhile to discourage or 'forbid' such use in the classroom?
Christian,
I personally do not allow my students to use any social networking during class. While I allow web searches & laptops for notes, etc I cannot see a need to have them on FB or other sites during class.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I think technology has framed Gen Y to be learners of multiple styles. Not only are these students engaged by auditory and visual situations, but also, they learn well from a tactile learning environment. Therefore, it is important to integrate all types of teaching styles into the classroom for this generation.
Brandy,
I would agree that now, more than ever, it is important to use a variety of styles.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Coming from the boomer generation, I have seen my grandchildren (generation y)do there homework and testing on computer. What really amazed me is my 5 year old grandaughter can actually manipulate her fathers phone to play games, and look at family pictures. They are so much more advanced. All four of my grandchildren have cell phones with connections to the internet. They receive immediate answers. They also will not part with their cell phones.
Mary Cornelius
I feel it is harder to connect to the student. They are less attentive and prefer to grt info in their own time as opposed to classroom instruction. Also reading, writing, and interactive discussions seem to be a thing of the past, a lost art.
It has completly made them in many areas a slave to technology. It has affected their fine motor skills when writting. Many do not know the difference between cursive and printing. Also they need (Word) to produce any project.
I feel that they expect to much and they don't know how to reference information if it's not available to them on the enternet. They don't want to have to work to hard to acheive there goals.
Many students of that generational cohort, expect quick results, and immediate rewards. Sometimes they are harder to keep engaged in the lesson.
