The Educational Divide: Boomers, Gen X or Millennials ?

1. The Educational Divide: Boomers, Gen X or Millennials? Dr. Kristina Ricketts October 2009

2. Consider this… Jim is 21, bright, loves to play Wii, text on his cell phone and interact with others in a group setting. Sheila is 46, also bright, has only heard of Wii, owns a cell phone (but refuses to text or send pictures because she doesn’t know how) and would rather work independently than in a group. How do the needs of these two learners differ?

3. Today’s educators… • Need to meet the educational needs of their audiences • Students vs. adults • Generation – Baby Boomer, Generation X, Millennial • Should have a core set of principles to engage learners • However, each audience has different nuances • Backgrounds, expectations, technology experience, motivations

4. Basic Teaching & Learning Principles • The teacher and learner must work together for success • Developing a relationship encourages motivation/involvement • Learning is maximized when learners work together in groups and teams • Students should be involved in creating their learning experiences (THIS MEANS: lecture often isn’t the best way) • Learning is an interactive process • Use hand-on, interactive lessons

5. Basic Teaching & Learning Principles • Set high expectations • High expectations = higher student accomplishment and success • Prompt feedback enhances the learning process • Provide constructive criticism as well as praise • Better able to improve skills for next assignment • Develop and promote diversity in learning activities • Every student brings differences with them – cultural, racial, socioeconomic, gender, experiences, disabilities, etc.

6. The 3 Generations: • Baby Boomers • Born 1946-1964 • Ages 42-60 • 80 Million • Generation Xers • Born 1965-1980 • Ages 26-41 • 46 Million • Millennials • Born 1981-1999 • Ages 7-25 • 76 Million

7. What Generation Am I?

8. The Places: Watergate Hotel, the Hanoi Hilton, Kent State, Vietnam Sit-ins, love-ins, Laugh-In, Woodstock The suburbs, the boardroom, the courtroom, The Happenings: Vietnam, Watergate Human Rights, Women’s Rights OPEC oil embargo Television The People: Escapism, Competition, Questioning, Opportunities Growing Up Baby Boomer

9. Baby Boomers • Their Keyword: Optimistic

10. Characteristics – Baby Boomer • Rejected traditional values • Grew up at a time of dramatic social change • Social activists • More process oriented • Most educated generation in American history • Often the first in the family to go to college

11. What Generation Am I?

12. The Places: Soviet Union, Somalia, Cannes, Chernobyl Starbucks International Space Station 24hr Media News - CNN The Happenings: Questioning of the presidency, the military, religion, corporate America Divorce, divorce, divorce Latchkey programs The Inventions: Cable TV, VCRs Video Games Cell Phones Home Computer The Generation: Themselves, independent Growing Up X

13. Generation X • Another Key Word: Skepticism

14. Characteristics – Generation X • Independent • More results oriented • Technology has always played a role in their lives • Always evolving • Society became more service/information oriented • College degrees expected • Demands for skills constantly changing • Less loyalty, more flexibility

15. How do adult learners see each other? Boomers say xers… Xers say boomers… • aren't loyal • have no work ethic • are not committed • are self-focused • have no respect • are too political • don’t practice what they preach • are workaholics • need validation • are self-righteous

16. So, how do we teach Boomers & Xers? • Incorporate personal experiences into the learning experience • Encourage interaction between generations – will allow each to become aware of/learn to deal with the differences • Show respect towards boomers, empower Xers through decision-making • Be sensitive to differences in preference – change up the class to reach both (i.e. team vs. individual learning, face-to-face vs. email communication, etc.) • Encourage engagement through student-centered activities, instead of teacher-centered (i.e. lecture)

17. What Generation Am I?

18. AKA: Generation Y, Generation Next The Places: Virtual & tangible Chat rooms Beverly Hills 90210 Oklahoma City Cyberspace, outer-space The Happenings: Personal Safety School Violence Desert Storm The Inventions: Cell phones Pagers DVDs Computers, the Internet The group: Doses of loyalty, optimism, skepticism Realistic Appreciation of diversity Negotiations Growing Up Millennial

19. Millennials • The Final Key Word: Realistic

20. Characteristics – Millennials • Have influenced today's learning environment • Want learning experiences enhanced through technologies such as video or PowerPoint, and expects online information (i.e. Blackboard) • Desire instructors that guide, coax, and coach, and not rule as in the past • Gravitate toward group activity • Learn best through experiences • Think it is cool to be smart

21. Characteristics - Millenials Are the ultimate multitaskers; can learn several jobs simultaneously Want their teachers to be leaders/role models They appreciate flexibility, and generally want to be challenged Take their learning seriously, and desire education that is meaningful

22. So, how do we teach Millennials? • Be prepared for high expectations of both the learner and the parent • Be sure to encourage and mentor them • Don’t be scared to learn from them • Make sure subject matter possess meaning • Make rewards and reinforcement of desired behaviors immediate • Focus on experiential learning

23. Questions?

24. References Jones, D.W.W., Ricketts, K.G., Ulmer, J.D., & Williams, K.B. (May 2008). Applying the principles of teaching and learning, Techniques, 53-55. Lancaster, L.C., and Stillman, D. (2003). When generations collide: Who they are. Why they clash. How to solve the generational puzzle at work. (First ed.). NY: HarperCollins Publishers, Inc. Raines, C. (1999). “The boomers and the Xers.” Retrieved October 15, 2009 from www.generationsatwork.com/articles_boomx.php. For more information, please contact: Kristina G. Ricketts, Ph.D. Community and Leadership Development 304 Garrigus Building University of Kentucky Lexington, KY 40546-0215 k.ricketts@uky.edu PH: 859.257.3767