Piyush Swami, University of CincinnatiJ.S. Negi, Regional Higher Education Office, Meerut, India

Pedagogical Changes for Millennial Students: Indian Perspective

Millennial Generation (Y generation)

Born between 1982 – 1999

• Oldest of these are young adults – youngest are entering high schools

• The experiences of this generation are very different from earlier generations

INDIAN CONTEXT

XGeneration (1965–1981) Y/Millennial (1982 - 1999)

Two wars with Pakistan No major wars (Kargil type engagement)

Tight Economic Policy Economy liberalized

Fewer Jobs High Employment in certain fields (IT, Education, Healthcare)

Less violence/ Frequent terrorist security concerns attacks (e.g.

New York, Mumbai)

TV few channels Cable T.V. (24 hour)

Analog Phones Cell Phones (limited service, (widely availableexpensive) and inexpensive)

No computers Internet, Email, Facebook, Twitter, Text messaging

Tape recorders, VHS DVD/ CD widely available

Hockey main sport Cricket main sport(cricket second) (soccer second)

Small middle class; Large middle class;Large poor class Poor class shrinking

Food, Clothing Food, Clothing (short supply) available to most people Housing Housing (shelter) not as (short supply) much of a concern K-12 Education K -12 Educationavailable but not used by allused by all

College Education College education limited access much improved

Automobile Automobile (bike, for the rich scooter, car/suv)

available to most

CHARACTERISTICS OF MILLENNIAL YOUTH

• Better informed and connected

• Politically more engaged

• Better educated; strong reliance on education to move ahead

• Socially more adventurous  

• More accepting of diversity (inter-caste marriage acceptable)

• Achievement Oriented

• Want a Better Life Style

• Nationalistic; Susceptible to Fanatic causes

• Lesser Reliance on Family for Guidance

• Has more Money to spend than X Generation Youth

• Socially very connected

• Tendency for Teamwork as opposed to being solitary

This all has lead this generation to be

OPTIMISTIC ABOUT FUTURE

Educational Challenges

• Less reliance on Authority

• Teacher – student relationship needs to change

• Socially connected so teaching has to take advantage of this rather than fight it

• Technology savvy student body; Educational institutions have to be better equipped to hold their interest

• Curriculum has to include experiential aspects to hold their interest

 

• Use parents as allies rather than keep them at distance

New Educational Strategy Suggestions

• Experiment with:  

School Day (in favor of making education a 24 X 7 operation); change the school calendar

Change the classroom structure (Teacher as facilitator and resource person

rather than a “talking head”

• Change Assessment Strategies

• Invest in upgrading technology (Internet access)

 • Invest in computer-based distance learning

• Infuse experiential learning in each subject

• Develop Strategies for using Social Media in instruction

 

• Provide Global connections (use to enrich instruction)