College Success for the New Millennial Generation Dr. Marsha Fralick

Overview  Generational differences  Who are the New Millennials?  Eight generational norms  Education for the 21 st Century  Engaging the New Millennials

This is a Test: Which Generation?  Lacks motivation  Is overly idealistic  Lacks work ethic  Uses drugs  Wants to be free from societal restrictions  Searches for personal meaning  Wants to choose their own way  Is defined by personal dress  Embraces diversity  Wants to save the world

The 60’s Generation

The Radio Generation Experienced the Great Depression, World War II, Pearl Harbor Traditionalists Respect for authority Heroes: Superman, Babe Ruth

Values: The Radio Generation Traditional puritan ethics Financial Security Teamwork Sacrifice and hard work Delayed gratification Family Authority Social Order

The TV Generation The Baby Boomers Born into postwar affluence Parents wanted them to have a better life Cold war, civil rights, space race, assassinations, Vietnam war Watched TV 24 hours a week Questioned authority (Don’t trust anyone over 30) Hung out at burger joints Heroes: The Kennedys, John Lennon

Values: The TV Generation Questioned traditional puritan ethics Self-fulfillment Material wealth (as they got older) Individualism Change Nonconformity Against the rules Challenge the system Fight for a cause

The Internet Generations Generation X New Millennials Struggling economy Columbine, terrorists, Bombing of World Trade Center On the Internet 24 hours a week Yes we can! Hang out online Heroes: Parents, Bill Gates, musicians and actors

Values: The Internet Generation Tolerance of diversity Technology is a tool for multi-tasking Relationships and family Optimism Civic duty Confidence Sociability Morality

View of Technology Radio Generation What is it? What will they think of next? Baby Boomers Master it! Internet Generations Enjoy it. Use it.

 Hippies  Yuppies  Zippies What Comes Next?

Introduce yourself. Where are you in the technology continuum? Radio Generation before 1946 Baby boomer Generation X New Millennials How much technology did you use in college?

Our current college students were born after 1992 Most were born with a computer in the home and were using them by age 5 The connected generation 82% are online daily Average 12 hours per week online New Millennials

Use Technology to Connect 50% send or receive a text message daily 29% use instant messages daily 44% have a profile on Facebook or MySpace and 38% use them daily (from Pew Research)

Could they be the smartest generation ever?

What happens to the brain when you play video games? Highly developed spatial skills useful for architects, engineers and surgeons Faster processing of visual information Better hand-eye coordination Video games teach people to work in teams, learn and collaborate and discover.

Some Facts from Pew Research They are generally happy with their lives and optimistic about the future Unique appearance 54% have tattoos, hair dyed an unnatural color or body piercings other than ear lobes Their top goals are fame and fortune

Maintain Close Contact with Family 82% talked with a parent yesterday 45% speak by phone with parents daily 75% say parents helped them financially in the last year 64% got help from parents to run errands, help with housework or home repairs in the last year

Family Organization Chart for Baby Boomers Father Knows Best! Dad Mom Kid #1 Kid #2 Kid #3Kid #4 In 1960, 40% of teens said they would be better off without parents! Hierarchy

Family Chart for New Millennials Kid Parents Stepparents Grandparents Helicopter Parents Democracy

Use Technology to Connect 50% send or receive a text message daily 29% use instant messages daily 44% have a profile on Face Book or My Space and 38% use them daily

Technology: The Benefits Makes people more efficient Makes you closer to friends and family Makes it easier to make new friends

What are some disadvantages of using so much technology?

These New Millennial students are now being called Generation “E” What does the “E” stand for?

New Millennials or Generation E years old E mpowered E ntitled E lectronic –Leading change from paper to electronic media

Share your observations about the New Millennial Generation. Think Pair Share

A Vision of Students Today A Vision of Students Today

What problems do New Millennial Students face in college today? Why do so many drop out?

Eight Norms The New Millennial Generation

1. Freedom to Choose Yes, we can! What to buy Where to work When to do things Be what you want to be Learning any time, any place What and how to learn Example in Education

2. Customization Change it to fit your needs –Cell phones –TiVo Education that matches learning style Example in Education

3. Scrutiny Use the Internet to search for information before they buy a product. Read blogs, forums and reviews and consult friends through Facebook Is it worth it? Is it relevant to my life? Example in Education

4. Integrity Because of information available on the Internet they are aware of scandals, corruption and dishonesty. They want to make the world a better place. They can make a difference in the world. They spend time on things that are important to them. Example in Education

Designing Education for the 21 st Century Choice Customization Value Integrity Discuss some ideas. Write some intention statements about some new ideas you are willing to try.

5. Collaboration They are the connected generation. They collaborate in chat groups, play multi-user video games and share files. Enjoy social interaction use technology as a tool to connect. Prefer to learn and work in teams. Example in Education

6. Entertainment They want life to be fun, including school and work. Education should be interesting. Contrast with the baby boomer idea of working first and they relaxing and having fun. Learn by doing. Example in Education

7. Speed They expect instant response –Instant messaging –Text messaging Multi-tasking Example in Education

8. Innovation Innovation is occurring rapidly. –Cell Phones –iPad –Laptops –New media Learn through discovery. Example in Education

Designing Education for the 21 st Century Collaboration Fun Speed Innovation Discuss some ideas. Write some intention statements about some new ideas you are willing to try.

Education was designed for the industrial age. The emphasis was on mastering a set amount of knowledge. Teachers lectured, students took notes and memorized the material to pass the tests. Today we have many students who are disinterested and unsuccessful in school. Why doesn’t this model fit for the 21 st Century?

Education for the 21 st Century From Teacher Focused The Teacher Is the Source of Knowledge Lecture Content Is the Same for All To Student Focused The Internet Is the Source of Knowledge Interact, Lead, Discover Learn how to learn

Education for the 21 st Century It is not what you know that counts. It is what you can learn. Need skills to deal with rapid change. Customize education to fit learning style Encourage collaboration

Education for the 21 st Century Students need to process new information quickly and think creatively, critically and collaboratively. They still need to master the basics of reading, math and science.

Engaging New Millennial Students in Learning Part II