Generation Y learnings value experiential learning because they can most relate the lessons to real life. They enjoy knowing how a theory is applicable to their real world. There have been so many cases where a student asks "when am I every going to need to know about calculus?" They don't see the bigger picture and focus typically on the "now" of things and how it can apply to them in that particular moment. For this reason, in order to be an effective teacher, they must be able to relate all of their lessons to some real world application. Otherwise, the students become disengaged.
A lot of the folks here have hit it on the head. The Y Gen just doens't believe until they do it themselves. I use a technique that has the students doing projects and some of them I allow to 'walk right up to the edge for the fire' before I pull them back and show them what was going to happen. I also allow some students to make mistakes and encourage failure so that we as a class can see what that looks like.
Kelvin,
yes, learning through failure is very powerful & a great way for this generation to learn, especially since many of them have not been allowed to fail in their lives.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Gen Y learners like to feel like they are in charge of the learning. By giving them activities like group discussion and presentations, they can deliver the information in their own style. Having autonomy provides a feeling of ownership, which leads to commitment.
Absolutely. Experimental learning is entertaining,exciting and engaging. These are all characteristics that aree appealing to Gen Y.
They are tuned into "What's in it for me?" and sharing experience helps them see the relevance.
Because Generation Y expects to be entertained. They have learned lots through entertainment sources and expect that to continue. So experiential learning entertains them.
Robert,
and this helps us to see that learning can actually be fun & when they see this they will continue to pursue learning.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
David,
and this is also great preparation for their future careers as many of them will be working in teams & designing & delivering presentations of many kinds.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Students have pretty much access to all educational materials we can provide. They value more experience because it is something different and individualize.
Because of all the information available to them growing up.
Lairlyn,
I agree & we also need to help them to learn how to evaluate the information & use it in connection with the experience.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Experiential learning involves immediate application, immediate feedback and immediate results. They live and function in a "real time" world.
I keep PowerPoint to a minimum also. In one course I email the presentations to everybody but don't use them in the classroom at all. Some of the students highly value the PowerPoints, but we keep things active and interactive in class. We work problems on the board, in groups, and individually. Sometimes students do peer teaching to present a topic. I perform an example of each type of problem on the board so that they can see it evolve instead of seeing the whole thing at once in PowerPoint; they understand where it came from better that way.
Patricia,
this is an excellent point & illustrates that need for immediate feedback.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Real situations and life experiences goes hand in hand in teaching and helps retain the information
Maria Luisa,
and our students can learn much from the experiences that we share with them.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Experiential learning goes way back in history. I believe people retain information better if there is an interesting story to back it up.
I think because they have a little more involvement in the learning process, makes it more relevant to them.
Keith,
yes, it is definitely a tried & true method for learning.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
