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Being Young Today. The perspective of an almost young MP Jacinda Ardern, Labour MP. “In my beginning is my end”. Experiences as a student Experiences as a student leader Experiences as a politician. The beginning for Gen Y. Definition? Characteristics E generation Communicators
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Being Young Today The perspective of an almost young MP Jacinda Ardern, Labour MP
“In my beginning is my end” Experiences as a student Experiences as a student leader Experiences as a politician
The beginning for Gen Y • Definition? • Characteristics • E generation • Communicators • Resilient • Extended ‘adult-escence’ • Beginning is in their now
The E Generation • “Voracious consumers of electronic media” • 1/3 of their lives are spent online • 1/3 website primary source news • 50% read blogs
The Communicators • 70% have Facebook accounts • Almost all owned computers and cell phone • In touch with parents frequently • 50% wanted to spend more time with their families
Resilient • Assumptions about Gen Y • Social Researcher Hugh Mackey calls Gen Y “nimble, flexible and adaptable”
“Adult-escense” • 82% rank recession an issue for most • “High tolerance of debt” • Perspective of baby boomer
Their beginning is their now • Youth Justice • Characteristics
What does this mean for Education? • Skills • Opportunities • Discipline (Disclaimer)
Skills for Gen Y • “Getting information today is like drinking from a fire hydrant” • Learning to be critical • Ghandi experience (knowledge is contested) • Mandela experience (learning/understanding perspective)
Opportunities for Gen Y • Leadership opportunities (democratisation via the internet) • Giving young people a voice • Skate park syndrome • Two stars and a wish model • “Autonomy leads to dignity”
Discipline • Don’t have all answers • Schools as Community Halls • Giving back tools
“In our beginning is our end In our end is our beginning” - T.S Eliot
Challenge Questions • Are we reflecting the changing world in our education system? • Does more autonomy lead to more dignity and success or chaos? • How do we balance teaching young people to be critical without being cynical?