Educating the Millennial Learner

Presented by: Mary DellMicrocomputers in the Classroom: Spring 2010

What is a Generation? A body of individuals born and living at

the same time Share cultural experiences which

creates similar characteristics within the group

Recent Generations include: Traditionalists Baby Boomers Generation X Millennials

TraditionalistsBorn between 1900and 1942Major Influencing Events

Great Depression New Deal World War II

Personality Loyal Collaborative Patriotic Value authority, personal sacrifice, and frugal

living

Baby Boomers Born between 1943 and 1960 Major Influencing Events

Invention of television Assassinations Civil & Women’s Rights Movement Space Race Watergate

Personality Reject authority Individualism Optimism Competitiveness Consumerism

Generation XBorn between1961 and 1981Major Influencing Events

Working Mothers & single parent homes Violence AIDS Gulf War

Personality Independent Skeptical Question military, government, religion, and

marriage

Millennials Born after 1981 Major Influencing Events

Single Parent Homes Emphasis of Athletics & Celebrities Clinton impeachment 9/11 Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq

Personality Technology savvy Pressured Team oriented Confident

Who are Millennial Learners? Also Called: Generation Y,

Generation Next, Echo Boomers, & Net Generation

Current Age Students ages 10 to 29 Includes most college students today

Composition of Population Estimated to be ~17% of world’s

population

Characteristics of Millennial Learner Special Sheltered Team-oriented Confident Pressured Achievement Driven Little Free Time Want immediate feedback Watch Dr. Don Margulis, Professor of Psychology: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOcSIblWyZ8

Learning Styles and Instructional Strategies for the Millennial Learner

Hands on Lessons Prefer interactive learning over

Lecture oriented instructionStructured, informed lessons

Inform students well in advance of upcoming assignments

Outline daily lessons to keep students on task

Provide syllabus and rubrics Immediate feedback is ideal for

millennial learners

Learning Styles and Instructional Strategies for the Millennial Learner

Provide opportunities for collaborative learning Students learn well by cooperating in a team setting Most prefer to work with others rather than individually

Use technology as a classroom tool Students are familiar with technology and appreciate its

application Allow students to express their creativity and knowledge

through technology

Thoughts to Remember Most graduating college now are

millennial learners

Not every learner is the same, but trends exist due to generational tendencies

Each student is a unique learner, but as a whole, millennials require a different educational experience from past generations

References Generation Y. (2010, April 23). Retrieved April 25,

2010, from Wikipedia website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generation_Y

Gleason, Paula. (2008). Meeting the Needs of Millennial Students. California State University. Article found at: http://www.csulb.edu/divisions/students2/intouch/archives/2007-08/vol16_no1/01.htm

Monaco, Michele & Martin, Malissa. The Millennial Student: A New Generation of Learners. Athletic Training Education Journal. (Apr-Jun), 2007: 42-46.

Oblinger, Diana. Understanding the New Students. EduCause, 2003: 37-47.