teaching generation y and z in fet colleges

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Teaching Generation Y and Z The challenge we face every day

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Teaching generation y and z, tips for teachers and lecturers on how to approach these students. Also get information on creative teaching and how to arrange your classroom. An inspirational presentation shown to Mthashana FET College Lecturers in March 2014.

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Page 1: Teaching Generation Y and Z in FET Colleges

Teaching Generation

Y and ZThe challenge we face every day

Page 2: Teaching Generation Y and Z in FET Colleges

THE FET College in 2014

0The students we teach come from poor backgrounds0They were born into “freedom” yet …0Strikes happen every year0The students want instant gratification0More interested in their cell phones than classwork0They must have an attendance of 80% to write exam

Page 3: Teaching Generation Y and Z in FET Colleges

And what about the lecturers?0We have limited

resources0Yet we need to take

the punch0We are stretched

to the limit0We need to produce,

produce, produce0 there is the

generation gap …

Page 4: Teaching Generation Y and Z in FET Colleges

And then we get

generation Y and Z

Page 5: Teaching Generation Y and Z in FET Colleges

• They are more visual than their parents

• They rely more on technology than us

• They want to be in the NOW

• They react on mentorship not on preaching

Page 6: Teaching Generation Y and Z in FET Colleges

Presentation skills in the classroom

My goal today:0Get you excited about

teaching in the classroom0Tell you more about

Generation Y & Z– the students in the classroom NOW

0Talk about creative presentation

Page 7: Teaching Generation Y and Z in FET Colleges

Generation Y & Z vs Other Generations

Which generation are you? See the Generation QuizWho are the students in our classroom today?0Age 16 (born in 1998) to 26 (born 1988)0They are mostly “Freedom Babies” (born after Nelson

Mandela was freed, or babies when it happened)0They grew up with television, cell phones & internet

Page 8: Teaching Generation Y and Z in FET Colleges

Generation Y & Z – the product of their environment0They are the generation

which faces economic struggle … but

0Most technologically connected generation ever but …

0Record numbers of single parents but ..

0They are the most optimistic about their future

0The least trusting

0Also most negative towards single parenting

Page 9: Teaching Generation Y and Z in FET Colleges
Page 10: Teaching Generation Y and Z in FET Colleges

Teaching these generations?They see studying as “a job”. We should treat them like “workers”, not students. Use the following techniques:0Skill variety0Task identity and significance0Autonomy0FeedbackIf you understand these principles then you will know how to motivate/teach them

Page 11: Teaching Generation Y and Z in FET Colleges

Teaching these generations? 1: Skill variety

0Multitasking: they are “internal customers” and need engagement and involvement.

0Active-experimentation oriented: experience more than passively observe

0METHODS IN CLASS:0 Socratic method:

asking questions to illuminate critical thinking

0 Case studies0 Building teams0 Holding debates0 Challenging them to use their

technological skills to solve problems. 

Page 12: Teaching Generation Y and Z in FET Colleges

Teaching these generations? 2: Task identify and significance

0 Want to feel what they are doing is meaningful and important

0 Provide connections with the world that they are living in0 Serve as a role model, and emphasize the functional

benefits of learning the material every day.  0 Explain the “why” of what you’re asking them to do, and

explain what’s in it for them.  0 Try to back up what you say with real-world verifiable

proof.  0 Many of them are searching for identity, and you could use

this as an opportunity to help them to affiliate/find meaning in your classroom and subject.

Page 13: Teaching Generation Y and Z in FET Colleges

Teaching these generations?3: Autonomy (self-rule)

0 Let them express individuality in their work (within limits)

0 Be wary of a one-size-fits-all teaching approach

0 They might refuse to blindly conform to traditional standards

0 Try to provide a flexible, fun classroom and don’t be too rigid

0 Reconsider squishing them into pre-existing classroom moulds, they don’t want to feel like they are a cog in a boilerplate classroom. 

0 Interact with them, update your class, and customize where possible. 

0 Try to enable self-expression and autonomy in the classroom. 

Page 14: Teaching Generation Y and Z in FET Colleges

Teaching these generations? 4: Feedback

0Get them involved quickly - they want to get up to speed fast and contribute.  Think of the Nintendo game: expectations are clear, behaviour is continually measured and feedback is consistently provided on performance, and they receive high rates of reinforcement to motivate them to keep playing. 

0Provide frequent performance feedback (like weekly quizzes, activities and presentations in the classroom, and other high-involvement activities).

Page 15: Teaching Generation Y and Z in FET Colleges

Summary – Generation X&Y0 They are growing up in a fast-paced, technological,

outcome-oriented environment, and they expect their higher education experience to provide them with the skills that they need to prosper in such an environment. 

0 Consider this generation an opportunity to question and enhance your approach to teaching, and reduce the bureaucracy of your classroom. 

0 Let’s turn to our students and ask for involvement to provide creative, hands-on solutions to problems. 

0 We should strive to cultivate their positive attitude, willingness to work, and challenge them to solve the unanswered problems in our disciplines. 

Page 16: Teaching Generation Y and Z in FET Colleges

Be a mentor NOT a teacher

Page 17: Teaching Generation Y and Z in FET Colleges

Presentation Skills0Use creative teaching

ideas0Layout of your classroom

for each unique task should be addressed

0Classroom must be conducive to teaching

Page 18: Teaching Generation Y and Z in FET Colleges

Creative Teaching – Using the Internet

0There are GREAT resources on the Internet – Use it to incorporate it into your classroom:0 Pictures (www.google.co.za)0 Video’s (www.youtube.com)0 Books and references (www.google.co.za)0 Websites which can help you and your students:

mathematics and science: www.khanacademy.org0 Social media can connect your students. My favourite

is www.facebook.com0 Use SlideShare to share your presentations for your

students. www.slideshare.net 0 Use Dropbox to backup and share folders

www.dropbox.com

Page 19: Teaching Generation Y and Z in FET Colleges

Creative Teaching – Using the Internet:

Click on “Images” if you only want to browse images.

Click on the button right for more options, then click on “books”

Page 20: Teaching Generation Y and Z in FET Colleges

Creative Teaching – Using the Internet0Download “Firefox” (www.firefox.com) 0Browse for “YouTube download plug-in”0 Install the YouTube plug-in”

Page 21: Teaching Generation Y and Z in FET Colleges

Creative Teaching –Using Videos

0Videos can easily be downloaded from YouTube0 I sometimes uses my wireless modem in the class0Use it to emphasise different concepts0Students learn better when they can also visually see what you

mean – especially in practical subjects0My examples:

0 Helping English Students understand a poem0Because I could not stop for death (Emily Dickinson)

0 Helping Maths Students understanding a difficult concept0 Helping Communication Students understand what type of

feedback can be given – an audience and a singer and non-verbal communication (birds)

Page 22: Teaching Generation Y and Z in FET Colleges

Creative Teaching – Using the Internet0This website is ideal for students who want to learn

maths and science0 It is free, mahala, gratis0Students are assessed and teachers can monitor

students on what they do0 It is funded by Microsoft’s Bill Gates, there is a lot of

money going into this site – thus you get quality0Perfect for helping students master skills – there are

videos about various aspects of maths and science (to explain concepts and reinforce them)

Page 23: Teaching Generation Y and Z in FET Colleges

Creative Teaching – Using the Internet

0Facebook can be used to create a platform for you to connect to your students

0My students connect with me on my Communication Facebook page - FETCOMM

0https://www.facebook.com/fetcomm

Page 24: Teaching Generation Y and Z in FET Colleges

Creative Teaching – Using the Internet0Slideshare is another great platform to share your

PowerPoint Presentations with your students and other lecturers.

Page 25: Teaching Generation Y and Z in FET Colleges

Creative Teaching – Using the Internet

0Dropbox.com is a website where you can store your information – up to 5GB free

0Use this to share folders between lecturers and/or campuses to easily access big files

0Also use it to backup your important information

0 I love this application and use it on different computers – anywhere - anytime

• Keep your work safe• Share securely

• Manage your team• Dropbox protects your work, and lets your team get to their files from any

computer, phone, or tablet.• Forget email attachments,

servers, and FTP — sharing the right files with the right people is fast and

simple.

Page 26: Teaching Generation Y and Z in FET Colleges

Creative Teaching – Using Presentations

0Utilize your computer and use PowerPoint Presentations 0Especially of a GREAT help in subjects where content is

repeated (theory)0Use it to show your Tasks/Memorandums0Make the effort ONCE – next year you just update on a yearly

basis0Students learn better when they SEE, HEAR and WRITE0You can share it on the Internet0Sharing and printing is much easier0Print it as notes for students to follow your lesson in class

Page 27: Teaching Generation Y and Z in FET Colleges

PowerPoint Presentations show that you• Prepare in advance• Care about finer details

in your textbook• Keeps you from only

reading page after page from a textbook

• Engage your students• Keeps students

interested• Is fun and interesting• Can easily be adapted

USE IT!

Page 28: Teaching Generation Y and Z in FET Colleges

DIFFERENT TYPES OF LAYOUT

0Should maximise learner comfort – AND serve a purpose

V-SHAPE LAYOUT• Suitable for small numbers, up to 20• Advantages: Every participant has a good

view of the front of the room. This allows the instructor a great deal of control over the students. Provides surface for note taking or reference materials.

Page 29: Teaching Generation Y and Z in FET Colleges

DIFFERENT TYPES OF LAYOUT

0Suitable for groups of less than 20 – Table Layout

Advantages: Easy to see and hear everyone in the group. Front of room commands the group’s attention. Unity is created by ganging all the tables together. Openness gives trainees a sense of freedom and encourages participation. Best set up to view audio visual presentations. Works well with role-playing and other physical activities.

Page 30: Teaching Generation Y and Z in FET Colleges

DIFFERENT TYPES OF LAYOUT

0Boardroom-Shape: Suitable for small groups of less than 20

Disadvantages: Requires more space than any other configuration. Due to space and learning requirements, the maximum amount of participants should not exceed 24.

Page 31: Teaching Generation Y and Z in FET Colleges

DIFFERENT TYPES OF LAYOUT

0Auditorium Shape – Ideal for large groups

Page 32: Teaching Generation Y and Z in FET Colleges

DIFFERENT TYPES OF LAYOUT

0 Classroom shaped: Ideal for large groups

0 Teacher does not reach students at end of the classroom

0 Hard for instructor to move into the audience, separating him/her from the students. Student participation seems to drop off towards the back of the room unless sound reinforcement is used.

Page 33: Teaching Generation Y and Z in FET Colleges

DIFFERENT TYPES OF LAYOUT

0Circle/Group Shape: Suitable for small numbers, probably up to 12

Advantages: Involves everyone in the group. There is no table in the middle, therefore people are unobstructed and can speak directly to each other. Creates equality among the group, with no designated “leader” position.

Disadvantages: Some people feel uncomfortable or exposed in this type of arrangement. Can only handle small groups of people. Not conducive to visual aids or AV presentations

Page 34: Teaching Generation Y and Z in FET Colleges

Presentation Skills

0Do you care about your classroom?

0Are your students inspired when they come into the classroom?

0 Is the classroom neat and organised?

0Do students feel welcome in your classroom?

Page 35: Teaching Generation Y and Z in FET Colleges

Creative Teaching ideas

0 Assumption Busting0 Brainstorming0 Negative (or Reverse)

Brainstorming0 Concept Mapping0 Role-Playing0 Storyboarding0 DO IT0 Random Input0 Decision Tree0 Questioning activity

0Slip writing0Laddering0Exaggeration0Brain-sketching0Reversal0Fishbone0The Mystery Spot

Full list provided

Page 36: Teaching Generation Y and Z in FET Colleges

BRAINSTORMINGWhat: 0 Develop creative solutions to a

problem0 Lateral thinking process by which

students are asked to develop ideas or thoughts that may seem crazy or shocking at first.

0 Participants can then change and improve them into original and useful ideas.

0 Brainstorming can help define an issue, diagnose a problem, or possible solutions and resistance to proposed solutions.

How:  0 Define the problem clearly and lay out

any criteria to be met. 0 Keep the session focused on the

problem,0 No one must criticizes or evaluates

ideas during the session, even if they are clearly impractical.

0 Ideas should be listed, rather than developed deeply on the spot; the idea is to generate possibilities.

0 Participants should be encouraged to pick up on ideas offered to create new ones.

0 One person should be appointed as note-taker, and ideas should be studied and evaluated after the session.

Page 37: Teaching Generation Y and Z in FET Colleges

CONCEPT MAPPINGWhat: 0 Concept maps represent

knowledge graphic form. 0 Networks consist of nods, which

represent concepts, and links, which represent relationships between concepts.

Benefits: 0 Concept maps can aid in

generating ideas, designing complex structures communicating complex ideas.

0 Concept maps can help instructors assess students' understanding. 

Page 38: Teaching Generation Y and Z in FET Colleges

ROLE-PLAYINGWhat:0  In most role-playing exercises, each

student takes the role of a person affected by an issue and studies an issue or events from the perspective of that person.

How:  Role plays should give the

students an opportunity to practice what they have

learned and should interest the students.

Provide concrete information and clear role

descriptions so that students can play their roles with confidence.

Once the role play is finished, spend some time

on debriefing.

Page 39: Teaching Generation Y and Z in FET Colleges

DECISION TREE0 What: A decision tree is a

visual and analytical decision support tool, often taught to undergraduate students in schools of business, health economics, and public health.

0 Benefits: They are simple to understand and interpret, have value even in the absence of hard data, and can be combined with other decision techniques.

0 Example: A decision tree used in a finance class for deciding the better investment strategy. 

Page 40: Teaching Generation Y and Z in FET Colleges

My goal today was to:0Get you excited about teaching in the classroom0Tell you more about Generation Y & Z– the students in the

classroom NOW0Talk about creative presentation

Page 41: Teaching Generation Y and Z in FET Colleges

In Conclusion …

Page 42: Teaching Generation Y and Z in FET Colleges
Page 43: Teaching Generation Y and Z in FET Colleges

Elizabeth O’Connor Chandler, DirectorCenter for Teaching & LearningUniversity of [email protected]

http://cft.vanderbilt.edu/files/vol18no05_motivating_gen_y.htm

http://blog.ampli.com/2014/03/classroom-layouts-seating-arrangements-for-effective-learning.html