Generational Differences and Learning Strategies Oxnard College May 26, 2009 Dr. Frank Benest (650) 444-6261 frank@frankbenest.com

Overview Premises Three Different Generations Defining Events and Traits Key Teaching and Learning Issues A Focus on the Oxnard College Student Population 6. Frank’s Suggested Practices 7. “One Idea That I Want To Try” 8. Resources and Questions

Premises Different generations exhibit different values and traits The primary student population at Oxnard College share many of the values and traits of Gen Y but is also different Understand the Gen Y population at the College can help us craft learning strategies and support services

Premises (con’t) 4. Learning strategies and support services tailored for the student population at the College can have a great impact on student success

Three Different Generations Generation Born Boomers 1946-64 Gen X 1965-81 Gen Y 1982-2000 (Millennials) Numbers 80 million 46 million 76 million

Defining Events --Boomers-- Vietnam War ?

Defining Events --Gen X-- Divorce ?

Defining Events --Gen Y-- 9/11 attacks ?

Boomers --Traits-- Institutions: deserve to change Career path: job changing puts you behind Feedback: once a year whether you need it or not Communication: phone informal network Rewards: money, title, recognition Relationships: personal gratification

Boomers --Traits-- Idealistic Work first Driven, go extra mile Competitive Achievement-oriented Questioning of authority Optimistic Willing to pay dues, tolerate poor management Linear Hierarchical Single-task oriented Good at jobs with long time horizons Enjoy team work Prefer consensual decision-making

Gen X --Traits-- Institutions: are suspect Career path: job changing is necessary Feedback: “so, how am I doing?” Communication: internet research Rewards: freedom! Relationships: reluctant to commit

Gen X --Traits-- Work to live Family first Resourceful Self-reliant Independent Impatient Adaptive to change, technology Skeptical Entrepreneurial Independent Despise structure and micro-managing Critical thinkers Want decision-making involvement Informal

Millennials --Traits-- Institutions: judged on their own merits Career path: career doesn’t have to be straight path Feedback: from virtual coach with push of a button Communication: IM a friend Rewards: meaningful work Relationships: inclusive

Millennials --Traits-- Realistic Pragmatic Cyber-literate Media savvy Environmentally conscious Embrace diversity Value guidance Collaborative Close to families Parents are role models Value guidance Strong believe in value of education Want structure Globally conscious

From your experience, what are effective teaching and learning strategies that you have used with MIllennials?

Teaching and Learning Strategies for Millennials 1. Focus on experiential learning and interaction (and incorporate their talents and knowledge) 2. Encourage learning in teams 3. Provide structure 4. Give a lot of feedback 5. Use technology 6. Make it fun (movement, games, music, art) 7. Present big picture and context

Teaching and Learning Strategies 8. Be visual 9. Promote talking and action by students 10. Be clear and specific in instructions 11. Use 15-20 minute attention spans

Oxnard College Student Population How is primary student population at College similar to mainstream Gen Y population? example: family oriented How is primary student population at College different from mainstream Gen Y population? example: poorer

What are key assets in helping our students succeed? Family-oriented Strong work ethic Comfortable with technology and media Respectful of education and teachers Want to be successful

What are challenges? Students a. Must work to support themselves and family b. Poor study skills or tradition of studying c. Don’t realize time and energy commitment to succeed

What are challenges? Don’t have experience asking for support from teachers and counselors Don’t know kind of support they need Exhibit poor time management and focus

What are challenges? Community Colleges a. Not sufficient focus on the first semester b. Students learn too late that they are in academic trouble c. Support systems are not always well coordinated d. Scheduling is not ideal for students

Frank’s Suggestions To enhance learning experience and promote success. . . Focus on first semester success Fine-tune scheduling a. Time to go to class, study and get tutoring for 1-2 hrs, time to go to class, time to study

Frank’s Suggestions Promote “school families,” especially during first year a. Learning communities of 25 b. Take 2-3 Basic Skills classes together, especially in first semester c. Emphasize team learning d. Provide and coordinate instructional assistance inside and outside class e. Integrate counseling support f. Provide instruction in using web tools (for both students and faculty)

Frank’s Suggestions Develop “early alert” system for those having academic problems a. After mid-term is often too late b. Use text or automated calls to cell phone (don’t use mail or email) c. Include instructional assistants in loop

“One Idea That I Want To Try”

Resources Julie Coates, Generational Learning Styles, 2007 Lynne Lancaster and David Stillman, When Generations Collide, 2002 William Strauss, Millennials Rising: The Next Great Generation, 2002

Wrap Up One key learning? Perplexing issues? Questions? Thank You! www.frankbenest.com