Post on 16-Dec-2015
The Multigenerational Classroom
February 2008Presented by
Jacqueline Callery
Millennials
GenerationsBirth Year Generation Age 2007
1925-1945 Silent Generation 62-82
1946-1964 Baby Boomer Generation
43-61
1965-1980 Generation X 27-42
1981-2000* Millennial Generation 7-26
* This range varies across different sources, 1979 earliest noted
WHAT GENERATION ARE YOU?
In many instances, your classrooms are multi-generational
Baby Boomers43-61
MillennialsUnder 26
Generation X
27-42
Age in 2007
CH DP LC OH OP PR SP Grand Total
0.00%
10.00%
20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
60.00%
70.00%
Age by Campus, Freshmen-Fall 2007
18-2021-2526+
Chicago Campus
18-207%
21-2531%
26+63%
CH-Eve_Fall 07
18-2056%
21-2531%
26+13%
CH-Day-Fall07
Approximately 87% are 18-25 years old, 15% 26+
Approximately 37% are 18-25 years old, 63% 26+
18-2038%
21-2531%
26+31%
CH-Total_Fall 07
The Millennials Are Coming
• Morley Safer reports on the new generation of "millennials.”- November 11, 2007
• http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/11/08/60minutes/main3475200.shtml
As we proceed…..
• Do not assume these groups are monolithic• Do not generalize or stereotype• There are layers and dynamics that driven by
cultural and socio-economic dimensions
Core Values
Generation X• Dedication• Hard Work• Conformity• Law and Order• Patience• Delayed reward• Duty before pleasure• Adherence to rules• Honor
• Optimism• Team Orientation• Personal Gratification• Health and Wellness• Personal Growth• Youth• Work• Involvement
Baby Boomers
Different Life Experiences
Baby Boomers• Pill approved in 1960• Kennedy Assassination• Civil Rights Movement• Watergate• VCRs• Man on the Moon
Millennials• Clinton• Cell Phones• September 11• War on Terrorism• Iraq• American Idol• Global Warming• Internet
Sheltered
– Child Safety/Baby on board– Rules should be clear and enforced fairly– Trust and count on authority– Ambitious with no plan
• Underestimate what is actually required• Directionless
CONFIDENT
– Expect good news– Trophies for participating– Comfortable with negotiating behavior– Motivated based on beneficial outcomes
Team-Oriented
– Like to congregate– Like to collaborate– Get along to get along
• I am a team player but…– Need structure, need a net, need protection from authority
figures to make sure they achieve
Achieving
– Need to achieve• Want things to be fair and criteria-based
– Expect to achieve• Expect high grade for compliance
– Clear reward structure– Neat and tidy path
Racially and ethnically diverse
Asian Black Hispanic Caucasian/Other
0.00%
5.00%
10.00%
15.00%
20.00%
25.00%
30.00%
35.00%
40.00%
45.00%
RMC-Ethnicity
200520062007
Different Classroom Expectations
Baby Boomers• Believed you worked for
you grade• Learning is painful• The reward comes with
hard work• Make a plan and stick to it• Respect and honor the
expert• Trusting of authority
Millennials• Expect grades without
significant effort• Want education to be
comfortable and entertaining• Gratification comes instantly• Moment to moment• Little respect for authority
(knowledge)• Cynical• Personal privilege rules• Naïve sense of the future
Now What
• Find a common ground• Give meaning to what students are learning
– Life application (Past, present, and future)• Why should they care?• Take advantage of their ability to find information
—have them bring the information to class, make them obligated and accountable
• Offer choices and create curriculum with the students
Final Thoughts From the Literature
• Provide options, choice• Want balance• Flexibility and convenience (room to drop out and drop in)• Learn by doing (directions are old news, lectures are out)• Want to read less • Personalize and customize (feedback more often in a variety of ways)• Prefer collaboration (provide clear direction)• Want results (can find it somewhere else)• Multitaskers (what is most efficient?)• Digital, digital (integrated and seamless)• Instant and available information• Media junkies
Millennials
• This generation is going to force us to revisit our education paradigm because failure is not an option– How can we create a safe space for learning?
• A space different than the one we experienced
– How can faculty learn to share that space with learners?