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Teaching Across Generations

Effective Teaching and Learning Department

instructionaltech@baker.edu 2005 Baker College

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Opening Activity

Take a few moments and thinkabout classes you liked as a studentand then answer the followingquestions:

What is a good session to you?

What makes you tune in to a session?

What makes

you tune out?

What are qualities of a good

instructor?

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Objectives

Compare characteristics of the Silent,Baby Boomer, Generation X, and the

Millennial generation Compare and contrast differences

between generations related to

learning and teaching Select teaching strategies to meet

the needs of different generations

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Who Are Your Students?

Average age? Gender percentages?

Female

Male

Working at least part time? Race

African American Caucasian Other

Children?

Transfer students?

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Who Are Adults?

Knowles identifies an adult as onewho has arrived at a self-concept of

being responsible for ones own life, ofbeing self-directing but no particularage

In contrast, many adults will oftenrevert to more childlike behavior in

the classroom, waiting for theinstructor to make all the decisions

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What Is A Generation?

Normally a 20-22 year span Strauss and Howe (1991) define a a generation

as possessing certain characteristics, shared

values and beliefs Often defined by significant events experienced

as a unit such as: Vietnam war Columbine World War II

Events of one generation have ripple effects on

other generation Sexual revolution for Boomers, Silents, Generation

Xers

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What Generations Are in Your

Classroom Right Now? Silent

1925-1942

Baby Boomers 1943-1960

Generation X

1961-1981 Millennials

1981-2001

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Small Group Discussion

Form groups of 4-5 and answer thefollowing questions:

What is the easiest generation to teachand why?

What is the most difficult and why?

Elect a spokesperson and beprepared to share your answers withthe group.

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Who am I?

Some of the successful movies releasedin this era were The Omen and the

Exorcist. What generation were childrenduring this era?

Silent

Boomer

Gen X

Millennial

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Activity

Obtain a set of materials from thefacilitator

Place the individual characteristics intothe correct generation

Check your work using the handoutprovided by the facilitator

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Silent Characteristics

Small generation

GI (previous generation) were theirrole models

Characterized as a generation ofjealousies and role reversals

Want to humanize the world the GIgeneration conquered

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Who am I?

Nintendo [video games] symbolizes a trial anderror approach to solving problems. Losing is thefastest way to mastering a game because losing

represents learning. - Oblinger, p. 40

To which generation is this quote referring?

SilentBaby Boomers

Gen X

Millennials

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Boomer Characteristics

Seen as new in every sense

No real sense of generational identity Focus is on the individual

Grade inflation is high

Overall SAT scores decreased from 46-60 Standard of living is both better and

worse than parents

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Gen X Characteristics

Smaller than both generations before andafter

Sometimes called the modern Lostgeneration

Adult oriented from an early age

Raised in an age where death surroundsthem

First to seek the work/life balance

Mostly in response to the Boomer workaholic

mentality

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Millennial Characteristics

Special

Optimistic

Conventional

Grade inflation high again

Materialistic Group oriented

Individual at times

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Who am I?

This generation shifted from an elder-focusedrising adulthood (where they looked to themembers of the previous generation as role

models) to a youth-focused midlife.- Strauss and Howe, p. 281

To which generation is this quote referring?

SilentBaby BoomersGen X

Millennials

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Activity

Using what you know about thegenerational traits, identify thegeneration targeted by each adcampaign on the handout provided.

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Silent Learning

Likes a traditional classroom structure

Does not like to contradict or disagreewith instructor

Does not enjoy being singled out in

group discussions or for questions Likes to practice alone, not in groups

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What Can You Do?

Organize materials in bullet/outline form

Use at least 12 point type

This will help Boomers too

Take your time through the importantpoints

Dont assume that all are techno phobic Fastest growing segment of the

population using the Internet

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Boomer Learners

Enjoy working in creative andindependent manners

Sensitive to criticism Possess significant professional

experience

Require lots of interaction and talk time

Enjoy icebreaker and introductionactivities

Prefer a spirit of collegiality in classroom

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What Can You Do?

Give plenty of time for Boomers to

practice new skills Do not generally like role-play

exercises

Like team projects Organize materials with headings and

relevant information underneath

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Who Am I?

"Plagiarism is the most serious of academicmisbehaviors, but the pressure to achieve

desired outcomes can blur the ethics for theoverly ambitious"

- Robert DeBard, 2004, p. 43

To which generation is this quote referring?

SilentBaby Boomers

Gen X

Millennials

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Gen X Learners

Consider themselves fiercely self-reliant Require regular, if not constant, feedback May lack interpersonal skills Can be cynicalAre often impatient

Consider themselves to be technologicallycapableAre adaptable and informal

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What Can You Do?

School/life balance is important

Use pop-culture examples Give lots of individual attention

Use most exciting material in shortlecture (15-20 min)

Use bullet points when giving info

Use plenty of graphics and white space

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Millennial Learners

Accustomed to group work

Comfortable with active learning

Multi-task with ease

Technological experts

Goal and achievement oriented

Require more structure and mentoring

Motivated by moneyand earning potential

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What Can You Do?

Give lots of activities with several steps

Use the most up-to-date technology and

references available Tie course or program goals in with

economic gain

Get creative or allow them to withpresentations, etc.

Give reading materials for lectures orsupplemental information

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Who am I?

This generation has been the biggest marketfor self-help books and they like audiotapes sothat they can learn in the car.

- Zemke, Raines, and Filipczak, p.4

To which generation is this quote referring?

SilentBaby Boomers

Gen X

Millennials

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What Works For Everyone

Ask for professional experiences fromboth Boomers and Xers

Change activities often Tap into the technological savvy and

interest of Xers and MillennialsAssign group roles for the first few team

projects Work to foster a team environment

Consider the use of formal groups with clearlydefined roles that are rotated throughout thegroup

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What Works (Cont.)

Require participation in some form eachclass period

Enforce individual accountability for groupprojects

Find the right mix of guidance, structure,and visibility for all groups

Encourage discussion between the groups Recognize excellent performers individually

Give individual work in addition to groupwork

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What Works Against You

Trying to appeal to all generations in thesame assignment

Clashes will often come between Boomer &

Xers and again between Xers & Millennials Not allowing enough time for groups to

become comfortable with one another beforebeginning

Not allowing students with experience tobring that into the classroom Ignoring generational differences completely Not asking students to stretch beyond their

comfort zones

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Closing Activity

Look back on what you wrote for the openingactivity and answer the following questions:

Do your notes match the traits of yourgeneration? How closely?

What are three things you learned orremembered from this session?

What is one thing you will try and do differentlynext term in your classroom?

Pair up with the person next to you

Share your answers

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Questions?