Talkin’ ‘Bout My Generation:Teaching Technology Across

the Ages

Sarah ChevertonJames Madison University

VRA 2010Session: Instruction 101Delicious Tag: VRA_2010_Instruction101

Outline

• Review the Generational Categories• Review Differences– Values and Work Styles– Learning Styles– Technology Styles

• Suggested Strategies

The Generations

• Veterans/Traditionalists 1922 and 1946• Baby Boomers 1946 and 1964• Generation X 1964 and 1980• Millennials/Y/N 1980 and 2000

Values and Work StylesVeterans

Silent GenerationBoomers

Me GenerationGen X

Lost GenerationGen Y/N

Millenials/Nexters

DedicationSacrificeHard workConformityLaw and orderRespect AuthorityPatienceDelayed rewardDuty before pleasureFollow ruleHonor

OptimismTeam orientationPersonal gratificationHealth/WellnessPersonal growthYouthWorkInvolvement

DiversityThinking globallyBalanceTechnoliteracyFunSelf reliance (Latch Key Kids)Pragmatism

OptimismCivic dutyConfidenceAchievementSociabilityMoralityStreet smartsDiversityImmediacy

From: “Summary of Generational Differences,” an unpublished document from the JMU Training Department

Learning StylesBoomers

Me GenerationGen X

Lost GenerationGen Y/N

Millenials/Nexters

•Linear fashion •Accept objectives•Struggle with simulation

•Appreciate new technology •Expect interactivity•Want to test out of something they know•Want choices •Want to learn what’s needed now

•Freeform•Take a test and figure out what they don’t know and focus on that•Want to choose path of navigation•Independent yet learn through social interactions•Assertive information seekers

From “How to Design E-Learning for Multiple Generations” by Sarah Boehle, ManageSmarter, February 19, 2008; and “Teaching and Learning with the Net Generation” by Kassandra Barnes, Raymond C. Marateo, and S. Pixy Ferris, in Innovate

Technology StylesBoomers

Me GenerationGen X

Lost GenerationGen Y/N

Millenials/Nexters

Generation YSaturated with Technology

• 10,000 hours playing video games,• 200,000 e-mails,• 20,000 hours watching TV,• 10,000 hours on cell phones, and• under 5,000 hours reading

From: “Teaching and Learning with the Net Generation”by Kassandra Barnes, Raymond C. Marateo, and S. Pixy Ferris, in Innovate

From “Digital Divide and Generation Y” by Diki Andeas, ASA Community Online Discussion and Brainstorming, March 17, 2008

Shrinking of the Digital Divide

From: The Shrinking Generational Digital Divide, By Sami Hassanyeh, AARP08/25/2009

Shrinking of the Digital Divide

• U.S. adults 64 and older who bought technology in a recent three-month period spent an average $365 on consumer electronics products and $429 on computer hardware and peripherals.

• Americans 55 to 64 are more active in online finance, shopping and entertainment than those under 55.

From “Older folks like Wii, PCs and Cellphones, too” by Edward C. Baig in Personal Tech, USA Today, 1/8/2009

Technology Meets Boomers’ Needs

Technology StylesBoomers

Me GenerationGen X

Lost GenerationGen Y/N

Millenials/Nexters

•Technology is contagious•Technology must fit their needs/values •Blame manufacturers for excessive complexity and poor instructions

•Technology Saturated•Multi-taskers•Learn by doing

From http://www.fdu.edu/newspubs/magazine/05ws/generations.htm

Strategies(Houlihan)

• Accept what you cannot change.• Draw on the strengths of each generation.• Adapt your style for each generation.

From “The New Melting Pot: How to Effectively Lead Different Generations in the Workplace” (no date) by Anne Houlihan, President of Satori Seal

Strategies(Kapp)

• Acknowledge multiple generations• Create learning teams of multiple generations• Mix up your approach• Expand the classroom

From: Teaching/Training Across the Generations by Karl Kapp on his blog Kapp Notes, November 16, 2007

Strategies(Boehle)

• Incorporate Games and Simulations• Provide performance support tools• Tell stories for objectives• Allow them to chose learning style

From “How to Design E-Learning for Multiple Generations,” By Sarah Boehle, ManageSmarter, February 19, 2008

Strategies(Ferme)

• Veterans/Boomers: be open to efficiencies offered by IM, etc.

• X/Y: remember that some people like correct spelling and grammar

From: “Across the Great Divide: Bridging the Gaps Among 4 Generations at Work”By Carmen Ferme, President of New World Leadership LLC

Strategies(Settle-Murphy)

• Allow different communication methods• Create agreed-upon method for urgent

messages• Create agreed-upon norms for responding to

messages (time)

From “Listening and Learning Across the Generations” by Nancy Settle-Murphy of Guided Insights

No matter how hard you try, you cannot change the generations.

(Houlihan)

Talkin’ ‘Bout My Generation:Teaching Technology Across

the Ages

Sarah ChevertonJames Madison University

VRA 2010Session: Instruction 101Delicious Tag: VRA_2010_Instruction101