Reaching Your Millenials A Fresh Look at Freshman Orientation Toni Carter and Beverly Simmons University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Who are the Millenials? Birth dates Current ages Silents1925– – 82 Baby Boomers1943– – 64 Gen Xers1961– – 46 Millennials1982– – 25 Note – this information is adapted from Creativity and Personalization: Freshman Orientation for the Millennial Generation. LOEX 2006 Conference.
Characteristics of Millenials
don’t like being passive recipients of information like trial and error (no fear of failure) like to learn from each other don’t like formal instruction like to be engaged and entertained
15-minute introduction Groups use a class session to complete exercise in library Class meets in library classroom
Freshman Seminar Outcomes Become comfortable asking questions in the library (put a friendly face on the library) Share ideas, get to know each other Learn where things are in the physical library
Design Goals More self directed Very little lecture Relaxed, informal Lots of student engagement and activity
New Class Outline Flipchart competition “Found items” competition LC Cards game “Face at the Desk” discussion Review Quiz
Self-Direction Students make choices Team name Research topic
Very Little Lecture Students teach each other Flip-chart competition
Relaxed, Informal Students are encouraged to participate, speak up, have fun – try to keep it informal and relaxed
Lots of Engagement and Activity Flip chart competition “Found items” competition Winning group gets “valuable” prizes
Activities promote student engagement LC card game “Face at the desk” discussion
What students are saying… “I thoroughly enjoyed myself. It wasn't boring at all.” “It was really fun to be so early in the morning.” “I enjoyed it and had a good time. It sure was better than actually being in class!!”
What’s Next? Assessment of learning outcomes Continuous refinement Evaluate the role of Freshmen Orientation within the overall library instruction program
Reaching Your Millenials A Fresh Look at Freshman Orientation University of Tennessee at Chattanooga