Engaging the Next Generation
Kari Rhame
Chief Technology Officer, Deer Park ISD
President, Texas Computer Education Association
Generations
GI Generation
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Born between 1901 and 1924
Generation of heroes
World War I and II
The Great Depression
Known for: GI Bill, medical and
science breakthroughs, new art and
literature
• Icons: John F. Kennedy, Ronald
Reagan, John Glenn, Sidney Poitier,
Rosa Parks, Lucille Ball
Silent Generation
• Born between 1925 and 1945
• Smallest generation of the 20th
century
• Fought in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam
• Described as patriotic, hard working,
and loyal
• Known for: new technology and new
music
• Icons: Martin Luther King, Jr., James
Dean, Elvis Presley, Gloria Steinem
Baby Boomers
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Born between 1946 and 1964
American prosperity
Vietnam War
Described as optimistic, dedicated,
self-centered
• Known for: Growth of television, walk
on the moon, civil rights movement
and women’s lib
• Icons: George W. Bush, Dolly
Parton, Michael Jordon, Oprah
Winfrey
Generation X
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Born between 1965 and 1981
Low key genius/slackers
Growth in single parent homes
Concerned about availability of social
security and pension plans
• Described as informal, self-reliant, tech
savvy, tolerant of diversity
• Known for: computers, end of Cold War
• Icons: Mike Tyson, Julia Roberts, Serena
and Venus Williams, Ben Stiller
Digital Generation: Who Are They?
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Born between 1982 and today
AKA: Internet Generation, Echo Boomers,
the Boomlet, Nexters, Generation Y, the
Nintendo Generation, the Digital Natives,
and, in Canada-the Sunshine Generation
Described as confident, moral, street
smart, civic minded, optimistic
Expected to: solve problems of the world
and have similar motivations as GI
generation
Who Are They?
“They’re the ‘Babies on Board’ of the
early Reagan years,
the ‘Have You Hugged Your Child
Today’ sixth graders of the early Clinton
years,
and the teens of Columbine,”
Neil Howe and William Strauss in Millennials Rising
The Growing Generation Gap
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In their lifetime, AIDS
has always existed.
The Vietnam War is as
ancient history to them
as WWI or WWII, or
even the Civil War.
Bert and Ernie are old
enough to be their
parents.
The Growing Generation Gap
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They have always had a
VCR, computer, answering
machine, microwave.
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Barbie has always had a job.
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Computers have always fit in
their backpacks.
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Yugoslavia has never existed.
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A “45” is a gun, not a record
with a large hole in the center.
What Influenced Them?
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Focus on children and
family. In the decades right
before and after the turn of
the Millennium, Americans
moved the spotlight back
onto kids and their families.
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Scheduled, structured
lives. The Millennials were
the busiest generation of
children we’ve ever seen in
the U.S, growing up facing
time pressures traditionally
reserved for adults.
What Influenced Them?
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Multiculturalism. Kids
grew up in the ‘90s and
‘00s with more daily
interaction with other
ethnicities and cultures
than ever before. The most
recent data from UCLA’s
Higher Education
Research Institute shows
that interracial interaction
among college freshmen
has reached a record high.
What Influenced Them?
Terrorism. During their most formative years,
Millennials witnessed the bombing and
devastation of the federal building in
Oklahoma City.
They watched in horror as two Columbine
High School students killed and wounded
their classmates, and as school shootings
became a three-year trend.
And their catalyzing generational event—the
one that binds them as a generation, the
catastrophic moment they all witnessed
during their first, most formative years—
is, of course, the terrorist attacks on
September 11, 2001.
What Influenced Them?
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Heroism. Emerging out of
those acts of violence,
Millennials watched the reemergence of the American
hero.
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Patriotism. It seemed that
national pride had been
tested on 9/11, and the
overwhelming verdict was
that patriotism was alive and
well.
What Influenced Them?
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Globalism. With pen pals in
Singapore and Senegal,
Millennials grew up seeing
things as global, connected,
and open for business 24/7.
Parent advocacy. The
Millennials were raised, by and
large, by active, involved
parents who often interceded
on their behalf. Protective
Boomer and Xer parents tried
to ensure their children would
grow up safely and be treated
well.
The Messages They’ve Heard
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Be smart—you are special.
They’ve been catered to since
they were tiny. Think
Nickelodeon, Baby Gap, and
Sports Illustrated for Kids.
Leave no one behind. They
were taught to be inclusive and
tolerant of other races, religions,
and sexual orientations.
Achieve now! Some parents
hired private agents to line up
the right college; others got
started choosing the right preschool while the child was still in
the womb.
What They’ve Heard
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Serve your community. Fifty
percent of high school students
reported volunteering in their
communities. On one Roper
Survey, when Millennials were
asked for the major cause of
problems in the U.S., they
answered selfishness.
Connect 24/7. They learned to
be interdependent—on family,
friends, and teachers. More
Millennials say they can live
without the television than the
computer. Many prefer chatting
online to talking on the phone.
Digital Kids
• The Millennials are the first
generation to grow up
surrounded by digital media.
• “Millennials … live in a world
jam-packed with information
and entertainment,” reports
Stephen Baker in the July 12,
2004 issue of Business
Week. “They practically grew
up with the Internet, so
they’re far more likely to
regard information as
something they can control.
This thinking extends from
one device to the next.”
Teen’s Perception of Technology
• The majority find the
use of technology in
schools disappointing
and their teachers’ use
“uninspiring.”
• They see better ways
to use technology than
their teachers do.
• They do think that
teachers who use
technology in teaching
are smarter.
Teen’s Perception of Technology
• Digital kids are devouring information,
solving complex problems, and
developing expertise every day.
• They are doing this using a controller
attached to a television set or using a
hand-held electronic game.
• They don’t think of it as learning; they
think of it as fun.
Their “Information-Age” Mindset
• Computers aren’t technology;
they’re just a part of life.
• The Internet is better than TV.
• Reality is no longer real.
• Doing is more important than
knowing.
• Learning more closely
resembles Nintendo than
logic.
Their “Information-Age” Mindset
• Multitasking is a way of
life.
• Typing is preferred to
handwriting.
• Staying connected is
essential.
• There is zero tolerance
for delays.
• Consumer and creator
are blurring.
Are They Pessimists?
• No. They’re optimists. Surveys show
that—compared to Xer teens a decade
ago—today’s teens are more upbeat
about the world in which they’re
growing up.
• Nine in ten describe themselves as
"happy," "confident," and "positive." A
rapidly decreasing share worry about
violence, sex, or drugs—and a rapidly
increasing share say that growing up is
easier for them than it was for their
parents.
• Teen suicide rates are now falling for
the first time in decades.
Are They Self-Absorbed?
• No. They’re cooperative team players.
From school uniforms to team learning
to community service, they are
gravitating toward group activity.
• Unlike Gen Xers, they believe in their
own collective power. By a huge tento-one majority, they believe it’s their
generation—and not their parents’—
that will do the most to help the
environment over the next twenty-five
years.
Are They Distrustful?
• No. They accept authority. Most teens say
they identify with their parents’ values, and
over nine in ten say they “trust” and “feel
close to” their parents.
• The proportion who report conflict with their
parents is declining. Half say they trust
government to do what’s right all or most of
the time—twice the share of older people.
• Half believe that lack of parental discipline is
a major social problem, and large majorities
favor tougher rules against misbehavior in
the classroom and society at large.
Are They Rule Breakers?
• No. They’re rule followers. Today’s kids are
disproving the experts who once predicted a
tidal wave of juvenile crime during the late
1990’s.
• Over the last five years, the rates of
homicide, violent crime, abortion, and
pregnancy among teens have all plummeted
at the fastest rates ever recorded.
• A teen is now less likely to be a victim of a
serious violent crime than at any time since
Lyndon Johnson was president.
Are They Neglected?
• No. They’re the most watched-over
generation in memory. Each year, adults
subject the typical kid’s day to ever more
structure and supervision, making it a
nonstop round of parents, relatives,
teachers, coaches, babysitters, councilors,
chaperones, minivans, surveillance cams,
and curfews.
• Over the last decade, time spent on
homework and housework is up, while
time spent on weekday TV watching is
down.
Are They Stupid?
• No. They’re smarter than most people
think. During the 1990’s, aptitude test
scores have risen within every racial and
ethnic group, especially in elementary
schools.
• Eight in ten teenagers say it’s “cool to be
smart,” while a record share of teenagers
are taking AP tests, say they “look forward
to school,” and plan to attend college.
Have They Given Up on Progress?
• No. Today’s kids believe in the future
and see themselves as its cutting
edge. They show a fascination for,
and mastery of, new technologies—
which explains why math and science
scores are rising faster than verbal
scores.
• Teens rank “scientists” and “young
people” as the two groups that will
cause “most changes for the better in
the future.”
Their Biggest Problem
• Pressure. On time. On achievement.
On living up to the high expectations of
adults and friends.
• Polls show that today’s kids’ biggest
worries are grades and college
admissions.
• Most kids say they fear homework and
grades far more than they do school
violence.
So, What Does That Mean to Me?
• Will hold 10 to 15 jobs in their lifetime
and value flexibility and adaptability
over subject matter expertise
• The education model that worked for
their parents won’t work for these
students.
• The world is temporary to them
• They value self-expression, personal
safety, and convenience over privacy.
A Vision of Students Today
Millennial Learning Preferences
• Teamwork – they gravitate toward
group activity.
• Technology – they are mesmerized
by new technologies.
• Structure – they spend more time
doing homework and housework and
less time watching TV.
Millennial Learning Preferences
• Entertainment and excitement – if it’s
not fun, they’ll switch it off.
• Experiential activities – they believe
it’s “cool” to be smart.
• Active and interactive – let them
move.
• Parental involvement – they feel close
to their parents
Curricular Areas of Concern
• Curricular areas of concern start with the teacher.
• The foundation of the curriculum will not change
greatly.
– For example, students will always have learn basic
math like two plus two or how to divided.
• The delivery is the key to engaging digital
learners.
– Marc Prensky calls today's digital learners Digital
Natives and the adults in their lives Digital
Immigrants.
– Digital immigrants are the people who are trying to
adapt to the new learning environment but who
always have one foot in the past and retain their
"accent" or natural tendency to address learning
as they did in the past.
– This immigrant status can cause teachers to make
curriculum choices that lack relevancy to their
students and to miss using technology in
meaningful, forward-thinking ways.
Learners vs.Teachers
Digital Learning
Many Digital Learners
Many Educators brains
brains prefer:
prefer:
•receiving info quickly from
multiple multimedia sources
•parallel processing & multitasking
•processing pictures, sounds
color,& video before text
•random access to hyperlinked multimedia information
•to network simultaneously
with many others
•to learn “just-in-time”
•instant gratification &
immediate rewards
•learning that’s relevant, active,
instantly useful & fun
•slow & controlled release of
info from limited sources
•singular processing & single
or limited tasking
•to provide text before pictures,
sounds & video
•to provide info linearly,
logically & sequentially
•students work independently
before they network & interact
•to teach “just-in-case”
•deferred gratification &
delayed rewards
•feel compelled to teach to the
curriculum guide & tests
Best Practices for Digital Learner
According to Ellen Wagner is senior director of worldwide eLearning
solutions at Adobe Systems. She has identified ten ways to engage
and motivate student learners.
1.
Insight: Always remember, learning is personal.
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Despite the many psychological theories and principles
proposed to explain what is going on inside our heads,
learning continues to be unique to each individual.
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No one of us can ever really “do” learning to someone
else, at least not without the permission or willingness
to be persuaded
2.
Capture their attention.
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Learners deal with an enormous number of sensory
inputs on any given day.
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Helping them focus attention is a critical first step when
engaging students.
3.
Convince them to care.
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Getting their attention is only the first step.
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Be sure you have something to keep your learners’
interests piqued; you want them to stay for a while!
Consider what it will take to compel students to do
things differently.
Best Practices for Digital Learners
cont.
4.
Rule: Motivate them to change.
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Learning can be defined as a sustained change in
capacity that persists over time.
5.
Give them choices.
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Learners want to engage with ideas, information, and
each other, on terms they define for themselves.
6.
Connect them with community.
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People learn from watching, showing, and sharing
with people who care as much as they do.
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Social learning is alive and well!
7.
Induce them to participate.
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Participation gives learners a sense of feeling
personally engaged.
Best Practices for Digital Learners
cont.
8.
Enable opportunities to contribute.
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Engage learners in the active negotiation of new
knowledge
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That new learning will be more relevant to each and
every contributor
9.
Make learning an experience to remember.
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The more memorable a learning experience, the
greater likelihood students will remember what
they’ve learned
10.
Consider that maybe it’s not about putting the
learner at the center.
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It’s more about giving learners the skills to decide
where to engage.
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In today’s socially networked world, it’s important to
help students feel connected to the community
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Relationships that operate in a networked manner
may inspire lifelong learning.
Benefits of a Digital Learning
Environment
• Teachers can maximize learning by enhancing their
lessons through digital learning.
• Interactive lessons appeal to various learning styles.
• Global learning available 24/7.
• Technology allows learners to access learning
materials when and where they choose.
• Technology can deliver learning in the way that is right
for the individual; every learner can enjoy a unique
learning experience.
• Technology mediated learning is a much more active
involving learner engagement and learning through
experience.
• The greater adoption of pre-existing learning materials
(Reusable Learning Objects) is likely to result in the
provision of higher quality resources to learners and
savings in time (and hence money) to instructors and
institutions.
• The use of Computer Based Assessment can benefit
both learners (in terms of self-diagnosis and instant
feedback) and educators (in terms of saved time and
effort).
Limitations to Digital Learning
• More assessments are needed to determine
individual knowledge acquisition. Digital learning
is harder to tailor instruction for one specific
students as required by special education laws.
• Money is always a barrier for students who may
not be affluent or have districts that are able to
implement technology effectively. This can also
create a bigger gap between the “haves and have
nots”.
• Yes, most students are digital learners but the
level of knowledge they have regarding
technology is related to their socio-economic
status as well their schools ability to expose them
to technology.
Millennial
"The name ‘Millennial’ hints
at what this rising
generation could grow up
to become—not a lame
variation on old
Boomer/Xer themes, but a
new force of history, a
generational colossus far
more consequential than
most of today’s parents
and teachers (and, indeed
most kids) dare imagine."
Learning to Change
References
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Video References
• Generations
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMASBgEYJW8
• A Vision of K-12 Students
http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=d12
96214afd7cc367045
• Learning to Change
http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=2f9f
58104bdfafc6b41e