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A look at what works in teaching, especially online, with Millennial, digital native, or "Net Generation" college students.
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Learning with Millennial Students
Anastasia M. Trekles, Ph.D.
Do we really know our students?• We teach the way we
were taught• But, students don’t always
respond the way we did to the same strategies
• Consider where your students are coming from
Research on Millennials• One of the most-studied
generations• Generalizations come mostly
from research – but, still important to not stereotype!
• Overall “personality” of those who fit the Millennial group – including students with birthdates roughly from 1980-2000
“Digital Natives”• Anyone who grew up with
computers and Internet technology (1980-today)
• Term coined by Marc Prensky• Primary argument: students
today are different • Technology has “wired” their
thinking– they are “native speakers” of digital language
Characteristics of the Millennial Generation
• Diverse• Often grew up with “helicopter parents” – “largest, healthiest, and
most cared-for generation”• Strive to achieve – motivated by grades, recognition, external
awards• Staying at home longer, family-oriented• Grew up with technology as commonplace• Optimistic and confident • Collaborative and team-oriented
What Millennials Need in the Classroom• Clarity • Chunked content • Achievement• Ethics training • Variety• Flexibility and Choice• Social engagement
• Millennials are often very rules-oriented
• Many are more visually literate and less textually literate
• Expect to achieve the grades they want and will do whatever it takes to get them
• Expect a greater array of selections in all things, including learning
• Live in a transparent world where communication is constant
Engaging Young Learners in the Classroom• Variety – vary your activities and assessments, and provide
choice where you can• Clarity – explain everything that is required as thoroughly as
possible• Use modules/units – smaller packages of material lead to
deeper conversations• Examples and resources – offer examples of good work,
practice tests, and different ways to study, including through video, summary articles, websites
Tools for EngagementBlackBoard• Group Tools• Mashups (YouTube, Slideshare)• Wikis, Discussions, Blogs• Rubrics (Rubistar helps!)• Learning Modules• Practice tests and assignments• SafeAssign, ProctorU, test options• Retention Center
Other Tools• Social Media (Facebook,
Twitter, Google, etc)• Adobe Connect• Camtasia (for creating video
lectures)• Online portfolios (Wix.com,
Weebly.com, Google Docs)
Tutorials and Guidance• http://www.pnc.edu/distance/video-tutorials-pdf-
guides-for-blackboard-learn/
• http://www.pnc.edu/distance/archived-workshops-presentations/
• http://www.pnc.edu/distance/web-2-0-tools/• https://help.blackboard.com/en-us/Learn/9.1_SP
_10_and_SP_11/Instructor/040_Student_Course_Experience/Student_Performance
Resources• Wilson, W., & Gerber, L.E. (2008). How generational theory can improve
teaching: Strategies for working with the “millennials.” Currents in Teaching and Learning, 1(1), 29-44. Retrieved from http://www.worcester.edu/currents/archives/volume_1_number_1/currentsv1n1wilsonp29.pdf
• The writings of Marc Prensky: http://www.marcprensky.com • Nicholas, A. (2008). Preferred learning methods of the millennial generation.
Faculty and Staff - Articles & Papers. Paper 18. http://digitalcommons.salve.edu/fac_staff_pub/18
• Carr, N. (2011). The shallows: What the Internet is doing to our brains. New York: W.W. Norton.
Thanks!• Reach us at: –pncolt@pnc.edu – Twitter and Facebook: @PNCOLT–http://www.pnc.edu/distance for all
workshop notes, links, and training needs
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