1. Motivation and Approach to Studies through Generations
CZECHIA

2. Responses... Students: 158 (15 to 20 years old) Adults: 29 (mostly teachers)

3. Generation labels – findings…
Most students and teachers do not know which generation they are and do not know the generationsʼ characteristics
Students tend to know / have heard of the labels more than teachers
Students who label themselves as a generation tend to use the correct label (Z generation)
Results are rather inconclusive because of the high number of “I donʼt know” responses, low number of adultsʼ responses and being exclusively from teachers

4. Which “labels”, given to generations, do you know/have you heard about?

5. Match the characteristic that best reveals the learning style of the generation
If you facilitate me, I’ll create and learn. Doing is more important than knowing. Multitasking is a way of life. (Z)
Respect the teacher. Do what they are asked. Remain on task until job is done. Are seen but not heard in the classroom. (Silent)
Knowledge is very important. Structured learning. Regular feedback. No Internet in the classroom. (X)
I am still not interested how I’ll learn. (Alpha)
I like collaborative learning. A bit of TV, a bit of the Internet, a bit of chat. (Y)
Lecture and books are the main tools for teaching and learning. (BB)
Students Z
??? 14 92
Silent 38 83 X 20 91 88 32 85 BB 16 95
Adults
Alpha/Z
3/3 10 15 4 19 21 Y 7 3

6. Gender

7. Adults’ age

8. Which generation are you?

9. Motivation – findings…
The reasons why students attend schools and work hard on their assignments have not changed much over the years
It seems students feel less safe and more challenged at school nowadays
Cca 25% of students do not feel motivated
Responsibility is not as motivating as it used to be, whereas relevant content is more important nowadays
Possibility to study freely has almost disappeared as deficiency
Almost no change in what students consider motivating activities
The number of classes-avoiding students has not changed, staying in bed longer becoming the most frequent reason
Students trust school less than in the past

10. Why do/did you attend school?
Students
Adults
To gain valuable skills for my future career
104 15
To get knowledge 98 14
It is a fun place to be and socialise with friends 66
It was compulsory 11
Parents expect me to get education 42
It was a fun place to be and socialise with friends 10
To understand myself better 36
I loved learning 9

11. How do/did you feel at school?
Students
Adults
Challenged* 72
Safe 15
Controlled 67
Recognised 9 57
Supported 48 8 24 4

12. Are you a motivated student?

13. If you are/were a motivated student, you work/worked hard on the materials/activities…
Students
Adults
To enter college/university 98 18
To get skills and knowledge for a future career 75 14
To pass exams 67 10
To enjoy interesting activities 33
To get good evaluation 9
To be appreciated by parents 26
To feel good in class 6

14. What motivates/motivated you most?
Students
Adults
My interest in subject
116 17
Success and achievement 66
Responsibility for my results 14
Content relevant and useful to my future studies 63
Motivated and willing to teach teacher 13
Creative tasks 46 6
Responsibilty for my results 43 5

15. What could (have) increase(d) your motivation?
Students
Adults
Teachers interested in current issues and giving current examples 70
Possibility to study freely 9
Information relevant to my goals 7
Possibility to choose learning activities and assignments 55
Looking for and finding answers to problematic questions 54 5
Possibility to learn at my own pace and time results 52
Possibility to choose learning activities and assignments / Active engagement in classroom activities 4

16. What are/were the most motivating activities and tasks for you?
Students
Adults
Learning by doing 85 13
Group work 68 10
Listening to teacher’s lecture 64
Playing games 53 9
Pair work 50 8

17. Do/did you trust school?
Students
Adults

18. Do/did you sometimes avoid classes?
Students
Adults

19. If yes, what were the main reasons?
Students
Adults
To stay in bed longer 22
To avoid a test 2
Tired of work overload 21
Classes were boring 3
Laziness 17 16
I may learn at home 14

20. Is school still the best place to study?
“No. It's an industrial complex which sole role is to indoctrinate the population. The only viable method of learning is from one's own volition.”
“I think so because there are people that may have different opinion, so you can share yours and listen to other people´s opinion. It also encourages you to be active and study, I don´t think that people would study somewhere else as much as they do at school.”
“Yes, because the education system knows the best, how we should learn and study. We also meet new people and learn how to work in a team.”
“I think that study at school is the best place, but some schools are diferent than mine and they don't allowed students to be themselves. They control them and than everybody has the same opinon, because they can't say what they really think.”
School motivates students better and forces them to work
Grades are more important than they should be

21. Thank you for your attention.