Generations of learners

OBJECTIVE:

 I was born in 1968 so that puts me as an early X, dad to a couple of Z’s and often working with millennials or “y”s .

In my first interactions with computers we used punch cards to program simple tasks.   That predates the internet and would suggest I am “digital immigrant”; someone who hasn’t grown up with technology but rather have had to adapt to it. (Pensky 2001)

I figure I am a little more native than some.  My father in law, a boomer and retired construction executive, used to have his emails printed for him. On which he would write his response and hand it back to his secretary.

The concept that “people in a particular age group share distinct personae and values by virtue of occupying the same “place” in time as they grow up” (Hoover 2014) has been around since the early 20^th century but we can blame the Boomers for labels taking hold.

So, if generalizations can be made by virtue of when learners were born, what are some of the characteristic that should be considered when constructing e-learning?

Gen X (1961-1981)	Gen Y (1981-2002)	Gen Z (2002- )
Skeptical and Cynical. Independent and self-reliant Entrepreneurial thinkers Resourceful / problem solvers Defy authority Reject the “pay your dues” mentality Loyal to individuals, not organizations Competent with technology Intolerant of bureaucracy Value freedom as the best reward	Expects immediate feedback Short attention span Wired 24/7 More accepting of authority than Gen X Team oriented Strong sense of entitlement Highly visual learners Expects accommodations As digital natives, they expect technology Often concerned with style over substance Opinionated	Demand immediacy Driven to succeed Value experience and credentials over formal degrees They are community orientated and compassionate. They are Masters of Technology They view on line social interactions as valuable as face to face.

Source:  Gen X / Y  (Griggs, J) Gen Z ( Oblinger)

While you can debate the characteristics (or find other sources) they do suggest there are some general challenges related to working with learners from different generations?

 Accessing technology – “native” or “immigrant”, utilizing technology will not be the same degree of difficulty for everyone.   Gen Z who are the masters will likely have little difficulty with it and, in fact, may be critical of how current the technology you use is.

Interactions -what represents a genuine social interaction may differ, Gen Z may be fine with a video chat or quick text while older generations may crave face to face interactions or feel isolated without them.

Relevancy – what constitutes a real and genuine experience will differ as well.  The experiential aspect of learning may be valued differently with younger generations demanding it.

Immediacy – Whether you attribute it to the profound effect technology has had there is an overall increased demand for immediacy.  This expectation increases with younger generations

REFLECTIVE:

How does this fit with your experience? What has your own learning been like related to interacting and learning with different generations??

So what possibilities exist with making assumptions about our learners and their learning needs?   Perhaps dangerous ones.   Is it correct to make gross generalizations about leaners based on stereotypes?   On the contrary, is it possible to cater to everyone?

The challenges that differing generations of learners represent are challenges that exist already in a diverse group.  Overcoming these challenges is simply good instruction.

How can some of these potential challenges be addressed in a online format ?

Allowing time –  recognizing that not everyone will be as comfortable with the use of technology allow a little extra time for familiarization to happen.

 Fostering a community of learning  – increase relevancy by allowing for  experiences to be shared; actively participate in the learning with students and foster social interactions.

 Providing options and alternatives – while it can be challenging allowing for some choice in how a task is performed and with what technology can help.  For example, permitting and essay vs. a video submission

Allowing for asynchronous activity / self-pacing -Providing content in a self-serve, on line fashion can help resolve the demand for immediacy by allowing for course content and activity to be consumed at whatever pace the student feels.

What have you learned about working with different generations of learners in an online forum?

I don’t teach on-line currently but am looking forward to the opportunities it represents.  I have, however, taught and mentored up to three different generations in a given week.

I’ve found that adults learners often require more guidance than direction.  Especially if they are self-motivated.  They can however be more set in their ways and reluctant to try anything new.  This includes technology that can form the tools of access to on-line learning.   In a previous blog post I detailed my own challenges with utilizing an e=text book in the first course of my PIDP.  I was willing to try but in the end was too set in my ways.

I have also found in dealing with younger generations that there is an expectation of technology be included in their learning.   Sometimes, however, trying to work with this can be problematic.  Recently working with Z ‘s in a startup company program we forced a platform on them (Slack.com) for communication. Some took it in stride while some rebelled saying Facebook was where it’s at.  The result was that some chose not to participate at all,  choosing to blame the platform and its lack of features.

I think there is one common trait amongst learners; blame technology when something goes wrong or isn’t working.

 

INTERPRETIVE:
What does this new learning mean to you?  What new insights do you now have? How has your thinking changed because of this learning?

 Its almost tradition for older generations to deride younger generations.  Boomers think Xers are rebels.  Millennials are lazy.  Zeds have the attention span less than that of a goldfish.  Are the traits of future generations simply a reflection of where society, and learning,  is heading  ?

 Instead of being critical of the demands of younger generations and dismissing them maybe they should be given more credit as the driving force towards the way learning actually should be.

In the future education will be more about the skills you have acquired rather than the degree you have.  This competency-based education will drive growth in experiential learning and even credentialing (Levit 2015).  

Gen Z has fully embraced and driving the social learning environment.  There is an ever increasing expectation that both learning and social  tools to be embedded in the learning (Sievakozinsky, 2017).

There is an expectation of learning being on demand and available.  Accessibility to technology and its impact on learning environments will continue to challenge the traditional bricks and mortar and dissemination approach of education.

DECISIONAL
How can this new learning be applied in your online course?

As a learner myself I think I need to ensure that I have an open attitude to learning in the online environment and work at creating the social interactions and shared experiences.

I’m going to try and avoid generalizations about learners but work on making learning accessible.  The course I am thinking of will be for parents but would involve their children as well.  Allowing for a variety of activities and options will help.

In the end I want learning to be engaging and fun.