Absolutely! I find that if I tie an actual story from my experience to my lecture learning points, it helps my students truly connect the dots on the subject as well as connect to me both as a person and a mentor! I posted in regards to one of the points mentioned here on the subject on FB and a few of my former students responded, "Soooooooo true... I will take lessons from someone with experience. I never could take anyone lacking experience seriously." Another former student said, "I totally agree with that... especially the part about wanting to learn from instructors with real world experience." It was interesting to read about it, and receive instant confirmation from actual students.
It helps create a more exciting form of learning. Students get a chance to learn from the instructor's experiences both good and bad in some cases. Most students want to know that their instructor has experienced what they are teaching them and not just delivering information they read in a book, after all the student probably feel they can read and learn that information themselves.
Gen Yer's value experiential learning in large part because most technology encourages the user to actively engage in the process.
Shawn,
this is true & so we want to make sure that we are maximizing the experiential learning as much as possible.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I feel like these students aren't encouraged to use their imagination as much and visualizing is more dificult for them than in previous generations. Visual/experiential learning helps them to understand the lesson in a way they struggle to on their own.
They have grown up having their brains seized by a nearly constant bombardment of stimuli competing for their attention. It's a little humbling but we teachers have to realize that we raised this generation to look around and respond to entertainment and that we'd better provide an experience that often accommodates that expectation.
I saw another instructor demo Prezi and was engaged and impressed myself with the information and interaction.
Alexander,
this is true & I personally think it's because entertainment does not demand them to imagine & pretend any more. We do have to take this into consideration when we're teaching this generation.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
William,
this is true & we can also help to slowly wean them off of this reliance but challenging their thinking even more.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
William,
this is true & we can also help to slowly wean them off of this reliance but challenging their thinking even more.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I think for everyone, it is effective to be a first hand participant.
Janet,
Prezi can be very helpful, although I will state my students have mixed responses in regard to how they feel about taking notes from it.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
They seem to want information that is immediate, practical, and relevant to their needs. Theoretical ideas and untested approaches do not meet these standards. The generation seems to be very hands on, perhaps from working with technology so much. And given its members' generally short attention span there is a restlessness to "do something" or at least know what someone has successfully done.
When you are experimenting you can't wait to see the results. This type of learning is fun and exciting. Highly favorite by Gen Y since they tend to crave variety in their learning.
Jo,
so true, the trial & error method is loved by them.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
This is a difficult time for instructors and teachers I have been saying for years this generation wants you on a stage. They are coming for the performance. So having said that I also have to say there is only so much that can be learned through actual role play and experiential learning. Time spent is lecture is all good and base knowledge is important, however I don't think alot of students throughly grasp the content till they dig in up to their elbows and actually perform the task. We utilize a simulation lab and watching the students grow from the simulation experience is great. They truly enjoy and learn from the activity.
Gen Y students appreciate information given in a story type format on how learning topics apply to "real world" situations, otherwise they may not see the point in learning the information.
Simply put, they want real world experience. If they can see the connection between the classroom material and application to the 'real world' that equates to a higher level of value. It doesn't matter if it is math, science, sociology or any other disciple. They need to see the connection between learning in the classroom and applying it outside of the school's walls.
Teresa,
Yes the real world experience is a great way for gen y learners to learn.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
The access to the Internet Gen Y students have enjoyed enable them to experience far more than I did as a student in the late sixties/early seventies. Therefore they need to have an instructor couple "learning" with "doing something" - engaging in conversation with members of the class in a team framework, responding to a discussion string on an LMS as the module puts it "getting in the water and getting dirty". :)
