Different Generations

In reflecting on the video and articles I read about the different generations and their characteristics, I had to think back a little bit since I have been out of the classroom for a few years. The majority of my experience has been with Millennials, but I can also speak from observations of a parent of both a Millennial and Generation Edge.

Being from Generation X, I can definitely attest to the fact that "today's students think and process information fundamentally differently then their predecessors" (Prensky, 2001). They expect everything fast and easily get bored. Since the majority of them have grown up with technology at their fingertips they process even new technology at a higher pace then most of our classroom teachers. Being a teacher who taught technology, my biggest challenge was making sure I always stayed ahead and in sync with my students who seemed to adapt to technology at a very fast rate. I also learned early that Millennials/Gen Edge had very few desires to learn using the same methods as we were taught in class. They have no time or patience for reading for very long and also preferred the hands-on learning approach. They also considered themselves masters at multitasking and who would swear that while doing homework, watching tv and talking on their cell phone that every action was being processed effectively at the same time. While I believe both Millennials and Generation Edge have these traits in common, they also have differences. I believe Millennials are more trusting and more "keen to be part of the process" (Fletcher/Pierpoint, 2013) whereas Edgers are seem to be more skeptical and open to questioning the process. I have really experienced this first hands as a parent of both generation. My Millennial son always seems to be more trusting, overly friendly and quick to give up information whereas my Gen Edge son is more reserved and seems to be in surveillance mode a lot. He is constantly observing every situation with a keen eye. Another difference I have noticed is that Millennials, although throughly in tune with technology, seem to spend less time engaged in online activities. Millennials spend more time socializing offline compared to Edgers who seem to be doing more and more online socialization often times limiting there face-to-face interactions.

In reading the article by Marc Prensky, I completely agree with the Digital Natives / Digital Immigrant concepts. I believe many of our current teachers find themselves trying to adapt to today's technology which is far advanced then what we grew up with whereas many of our students are "at home" with it. It is not enough for our teachers to merely bring the latest technology into the classroom, they must fully understand it and integrate into their lessons to capture the attention of this new generation. According to Prensky, "the single biggest problem facing education today is that our Digital Immigrant instructors, who speak an outdated language (that of the pre-digital age), are struggling to teach a population that speaks an entirely new language." So in order to reach our students we need to change how and what we teach. The old methods that were used to teach us are no longer effective in reaching this new generation who seem to process information differently. Understanding each generation, their characteristics and how they learn is an important step in effectively educating our students.

Introduction

Hello classmates,

My name is Carlyss Lewis. Here is a little background on me. I spent several years employed as a Graphic Designer before going into education. I'ver worked in education for the past 10 years and have worked as an Career Tech. Instructor, a Technical Training Administrator in Adult Education and am currently employed as my district's Enrollment Manager.

I have two sons (19 and 26). Both are heavily into computers. The 19 year old is at UofM Dearborn studying in Computer Engineering. The 26 year old graduated from WSU and is now employed as an Software Engineer at Microsoft. YESSSSSSS (one down... one to go  :-)  )

Education wise I have an assortment of different degrees: Bachelor in Computer Technology, Master in Career & Technical Education, Ed. Tech in Administration. After finishing my Ed. Tech degree last year, I am considering trying to pursue a Ph.D. in Learning and Design Technology since I have a great interest in this area. Hence, enrollment in this class.

I really do not have a lot of hobbies since I don't have much time available between work and school, but when I do have a little time I enjoy watching Korean Drama, playing with my two dogs and hanging out with family. I also love all things technical, but am an avid lover of all things APPLE.

I look forward to a great class and getting to know each of my classmates.