Preferences

of Today's
Technology
Learners

Aries S. Perez
Education 10 Instructor

Objectives:
- Categorize and differentiate the
generation of learners
- Identify the preferences of modern
day learners (Digital Natives)
- Compare and contrast their
preferences to the former
generations of learners
- Use these preferences to come up
with teaching strategies that will
bring out the best of these learners

Who Are We? Who are They?

The Silent Generation
Also called Traditionalists, Seniors, The Greatest
Generation
Lived through the Great Depression and World War II
Born between 1922 and 1943

Baby Boomers
Also called the Me Generation, the Sandwich Generation
Born between 1943 and 1960

Generation X
Sometimes called the Baby Bust Generation
Born between 1960 and 1980

Millennials
Also called the Echos, the Nexters, and Generation Y
Born between 1980 and 2000

General Characteristics of the

Silent Generation
Grew up during the
Depression and served
in World War II
Believe in sacrifice for
the Greater Good
Often have one
immigrant parent or
multiple immigrant
grandparents
Maintain traditional
values
Have respect for the
wisdom of elders
Prefer a hands-on

General Characteristics of
Baby Boomers
Born between 1943
and 1960
TV Generation
Materialistic
Me focus
Responsible for
social changes
Two household
workers
Women in the work
force: Superwoman
Live to Work -

General Characteristics of GenXers

Born between 1960
and 1980
Often children of
divorce and nontraditional family units
Latchkey kids
Raised on electronic
media
Use of newest
technology is a given
Function well alone
Tend to be pessimistic
and skeptical of
authority and
institutions

General Characteristics of
Millenials

Sometimes younger siblings of Gen-Xers

Benefitted from parents later life success
Often have at least one immigrant parent
Are racially and ethnically diverse
Identify with
parents values
Gravitate toward
group activities
Believe its cool
to be smart
New technology
is a given
Short attention

Where are YOU on the

timeline?

So what are
the
preferences
of the
technology
learners?

Text vs. Visuals

Linear vs. Hypermedia

Independent vs. Social

Learners

Learning to do vs. Learning to

Pass the Test

Delayed Rewards vs. Instant

Gratification

Rote Memory vs. Fun

Learning

To which generation do YOU

belong?
1.
2.
3.
4.

Millennials
Gen-X
Baby Boomers
Silent
Generation

General Employment
Characteristics
Workers from the Silent Generation are
characterized by

Loyalty to the employer

Hard work
Dependability
Personal touch approach
Obedience over individualism
No hurry/ long patience

Boomer workers are characterized by

Belief in paying dues to get ahead

Sense of duty
Belief in sacrifice for success
Loyalty to employer
Salary contributes to satisfaction
Self satisfaction in job is paramount, but measured in
different ways

General Employment
Characteristics
Generation X workers are characterized by

Technology skills
Entrepreneurial spirit
Mobility and flexibility at work
Focus on personal professional growth over employer interests
Perceived lack of loyalty
Want balance of work and home life
Need immediate feedback
Will balance end result with desire for quick resolution

Millennial workers are characterized by

Technology skills
Expectation of diversity
Expectation of rapid results
Flexible schedules
Want balance of work and home life
Need for independence in decision making
Desire for challenge and growth
Expect immediate feedback

What Most Faculty Are Used To

Lecture classes
Reading assignments in books.
We generally prefer to print out
long documents rather than read
them on screen
Pen and paper note taking
Working individually rather than
in groups
Quiet study or work time
Face-to-face interaction with
others
Acceptance of professional
authority
Limited access to our time as
faculty

What Most Students Are Used

To
Consumer orientation
Assumption that institutions are corrupt and
untrustworthy
Multi-tasking
Doing several things at once
Learning from several different sources

Pragmatic approach to problem solving

Questioning the veracity of information
Entertainment orientation
Instant gratification
Short event horizon
Expectations of excellence
Awareness of personal safety
No civility

Why the
disconnect
between US and
THEM?

Why the disconnect between US

and THEM?

Technology
Parenting

Helicopter Parents
Often had children
later or had two
sets of children
Had Millennial
children when they
were more
established in their
careers and were
more financially
stable
May have felt that
they failed with the
older children

Why Do They Hover?

Media told them over and
over to protect their
children
Media covered every
incident of harm to children
Government passed child
safety told
lawsthem that they needed to be involved
School
in their childrens schools
Child-rearing books told them to be involved with
their kids at all levels

And if you dont do all these things, then you

are a . . .

BAD PARENT!

Whom do you think is more

comfortable talking to professors?

1. Millenni
als
2. GenXers

Differences between Gen X and

Millennials
Research done by Molly Epstein at Emory
University (2007) reveals interesting differences:

Comfortable speaking
with professors:

60% of Millennials
< 40% of Gen Xers

Who is more comfortable asking

for special favors?
1. Millennials
2. Gen-Xers
Comfortable asking for special
treatment:

60% of Millennials
29% of Gen Xers

Who is more inclined to believe

that authority figures should set
parameters for behavior and
expectations?
1. Millennia
ls
2. Gen-Xers

Believe that authority figures

should set and enforce rules:

70% Millennials
40% Gen Xers

Who feels more comfortable

challenging professors on grades?
1. Millennial
s
2. Gen-Xers
Feel comfortable challenging
professors on grades:

60% of Millennials
35% of Gen Xers

Who wants a clearly structured

academic path, presented to
them?

1. Millennials
2. Gen-Xers
Want a clearly structured
academic path:

80% of Millennials
60% of Gen Xers

How to Retain and Engage ALL

of Them
Articulate all desired
outcomes
Establish clear expectations;
communicate them early
and often
Maintain technological
sophistication
Offer opportunities for
personal involvement
Design real world
assignments
End the sage on the stage
approach
Provide transparency and
clear communication
Address multiple learning
From Generation Next Come to College: 2006 Updates and Emerging Issues by
options
Mark L. Taylor

Works Cited
Carlson, Scott. The Net Generation Goes to
College.
Epstein, Molly. (2007).
Mouchayleh, Terry Stewart. (2009). The More
Things Change, The More They Stay the Same:
Working With Generational Issues in our Students.
---. (2007). Generational Differences Among
Higher Education Faculty.
Taylor, Mark L. (2006). Generation Next Come to
College: 2006 Updates and Emerging Issues.
Sorells, David J. "Generational Characteristics of
Our Students and Ourselves (a ppt presentation)