Voices from the Past Students in the

Present Creating a Future

Jennifer Womble, nbct

Lawton Chiles High School

Voices From the PastVoices From the Past“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”

---Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1933

“And so my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.”

---John F. Kennedy, 1961

“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”

---Eleanor Roosevelt, 1960

What is a “generation?”What is a “generation?”A grouping of people, typically by birth years, that are defined by the historical and sociological experiences they have shared

Howe & Strauss, Millennials Rising

Defining the GenerationsDefining the GenerationsFour major generations are currently at play (war?) in the academic

world:

Silent – born 1925-1942

Boomers – born 1943-1960

Gen-Xers – born 1961-1980

Millennials – born post-1980

Who are the Silent Generation?Who are the Silent Generation?

Introspective, intellectual, suffocated children of war and depression

Famous Silents: Colin Powell, Walter Mondale, Woody Allen, Martin Luther King, Jr., Sandra Day O’Connor, Elvis Presley

Stuck between the get-it-done G.I.s and the self-absorbed Boomers

Who are Boomers?Who are Boomers? Defining events include the birth of

television, the Civil Rights Movement, and fiscal prosperity

Also deaths of President Kennedy, Bobby Kennedy, and Dr. Martin Luther King; the Vietnam war and related protests; and the Watergate scandal

Boomers value health and wellness, personal growth, and involvement

Who are Gen-Xers?Who are Gen-Xers? Characterized by an economic and

psychological "survivor" mentality Grew up very quickly amid rising divorce

rates, latchkeys, violence and low expectations

The Challenger explosion, AIDS, hostage crises, Desert Storm, Nike (“Just Do It!”)

Independent, skeptical of authority, cautious in their commitments

Who are Millennials?Who are Millennials? Result of a backlash against “hands-off” parenting – a protected

(coddled?) generation Columbine, Power Rangers, cell phones, DVDs, and 9-11 Assumed technological savvy --polyfocal Multi-Taskers

“They’re the most numerous, affluent, and ethnically diverse generation in American history.” - Strauss

Howe and Strauss, Millennials Rising: The Next Great Generation

Howe and Strauss, Millennials Rising: The Next Great Generation Published in 2000 Born after 1982 Compare to Boomers, Gen X, the Silent Generation Events: Gulf War, soccer, the Unabomber, Michael

Jordon, LA Riots, cloning, Britney Spears, Clinton, Kosovo, 9/11, Bush v. Gore, the Internet

Achieving and BrighterAchieving and Brighter

High achievement motivation Today’s elementary school kids are performing much

better than kids did ten or fifteen years ago. Teamwork, good behavior, citizenship They report that, compared to their older siblings,

more is being expected of them—less free time, more homework, more scheduled activities.

Civic-MindedCivic-Minded

Focused on doing good for the community 78 per cent performed community service during

senior year (2001) Service Learning Hands-on outlook

ConventionalConventional Believe in conventional social rules Tradition is important Attracted to more formal, traditional programs and

learning environments “Generation of hope”

ConsumersConsumers Look for the best value Shop around Expect to be treated as valued customers Customer service is important

Open-MindedOpen-Minded More valuing of diversity: of sexual orientation, race,

ethnicity, gender Reject discrimination in any form Diversity part of previous life experiences Internationally minded

OptimisticOptimistic Upbeat Believes one person can make a difference Future-oriented Believe they will be successful and earn lots of

money

Rule-FollowersRule-Followers Nurtured and sheltered from harm by parents Either/Or, black and white orientation about rules Compare with acceptance of diversity

Parentally InfluencedParentally Influenced Seeking mentors “Babies on Board,” “Have You Hugged Your Child

Today” Generation Pagers, cell phones, parental notification rules --

tethered Rise of parents clubs

Technologically SavvyTechnologically Savvy Voicemail, E-Mail, JPEGS, MPEGS, MP3s CDs, DVDs, VCRs, IM, Internet, Chat How to apply technology for educational purposes,

not just entertainment

Stessed and OverwhelmedStessed and Overwhelmed Rise in stress during freshmen year Conflict of jobs, classes, activities Lots of financial concerns, keeping up with the

Joneses Status is important Relationships

Team OrientedTeam Oriented Millennials gravitate toward group activities Group membership is rising

Who Are Today’s Students?Who Are Today’s Students? Millennial Generation Born between 1976-2000. Almost 100 million young adults between 0-24 years old (2000). Largest generation (36% of total population). 31% are minorities; more diverse than the adult population. Have come of age along with the Internet. Information has been universally available and free to them. Community is a digital place of common interest, not just a

shared physical space. 60% of 2002 teens feel that it is harder to be a young person

today than in their parents’ day, compared to 35% of 1966 teens feeling the same way.

Millennials Feel They’re Unique Millennials Feel They’re Unique

51% 50%42%

69%

39%47%

54%

29%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

Matures Boomers GenX Millennials

My age group is unique Nothing distinctive about my age group

Family is ImportantFamily is Important 91% of students felt they have at least one family

member they can confide in.

If they could, 50% of students would spend more time with their family.

74% get along with their parents extremely or very well.

When picking one person as a role model, 44% of students pick a family member.

Are AmbitiousAre Ambitious 88% of students report that attending college is critical

or very important to future success.

94% plan to continue their education after high school.

90% feel being personal satisfied is very important for success; 81% include close family relationships.

Education BeliefsEducation Beliefs

91% of students have a teacher/administrator who personally cares about their success.

60% of students report that standardized tests are a good measure of progress.

Interested in World and CommunityInterested in World and Community 76% of students would like to learn more about the world.

28% of high school students use a foreign news source to learn about current events.

After September 11, 2001, 78% of students felt optimistic and hopeful. Two years later, 75% still look toward a future with optimism and hope.

70% of students report volunteering or participating in community service.

Have Substantial Purchasing PowerHave Substantial Purchasing Power In 2002, teens (ages 12-19) spent $170 billion.

15.6 million college students (ages 18-30) spend almost $200 billion annually.

Two out of three students report influencing their parents’ buying decisions.

20% of teens own stock.

Millennials are perhaps most defined by the way they have grown up with

technology.

Millennials are perhaps most defined by the way they have grown up with

technology.

Internet Use by AgeInternet Use by Age

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

2-5 6-8 9-12 12-15 16-18 19-24 25-35 36-45 46-55 56-65 65+

Age2000 2002

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Computer

Cell Phone

Video game console

Digital Camera

Digital Cable TV

Digital music player

Web enabled cellphone

Satellite TV ages 13-18ages 19-24

Teen Accessto Technologies

Teen Accessto Technologies

Even Young ChildrenEven Young Children 72% of all first graders used a home computer during the

summer on a weekly basis.

Over 85% of young children with home computers used them for educational purposes.

By 1999, 97% of kindergartners had access to a computer at school or home.

35% of children ages 2-5 use the Internet from any location.

Internet is Medium of ChoiceInternet is Medium of Choice Of 6-17 year olds, 2 million kids have a website—65% are

female.

Children and teenagers use computers and the Internet more than any other age group. Ninety percent (90%) of children between the ages of 5 and 17 use computers.

In 2003, the time spent with the Internet exceeded the time spent with TV for ages 13-24.

“Teens and young adults are searching for independence and control, and the Internet gives it to them like no other media can.

Millennials vividly expressed excitement, freedom, immediacy, and most of all control over their experience – where they go, what they learn, what they buy, whom they talk to, and how they live their lives.”

Yahoo: Born to Be Wired

Online TeensOnline Teens 71% of online teens say they relied mostly on Internet sources for the last big

project they did for school.

94% of online teens report using the Internet for school-related research.

74% of online teens use instant messaging.

24% of online teens have created their own Web pages.

The number of children ages 4 to 18 who own at least one wireless device (e.g. cell phones, PDAs) grew from 32% in 2002 to 43% in 2003.

13% of those age 7 and under own a wireless device

Parents of Online TeensParents of Online Teens

87% of parents believe the Internet helps their children in school; 78% of teens agree.

64% of online teens say they know more about the Internet than their parents and 66% of parents agree.

40% of parents have had an argument about the Internet with their children.

Digital NativesDigital Natives

“Children are native to cyberspace, and we, as adults, are immigrants.” - Douglas Rushkoff

Send e-mailSurfing around/seeing what is out thereLooking up musical groups and artistsChatting with friends onlineDoing homework or researchListening to musicUsing instant messagingChecking movies, TV, or concert listingsReading the news or magazines onlinePlaying online gamesMeeting people who share interestsWatching streaming videosExchanging own creative work with friendsBuying stuffParticipating in online auctions

What they do onlineWhat they do online100%98%95%93%92%90%89%84%81%80%77%70%69%61%38%

Millennials Want to Learn…Millennials Want to Learn…• With technology• With one another• Online• In their own time• In their own place• Doing things that matter

Kids are still reading…Kids are still reading… Harry Potter sales broke all publishing industry records. Fastest selling book in history (5 million in first 24 hours). 80 million: Harry Potter books sold in the United States, or 1 for

every 3.6 people, or 5 for every 9- to 12-year-old. 896: number of pages in “Order of the Phoenix” 255,000: number of words in “Order of the Phoenix” 55: Languages in which the Harry Potter books have been

published in 200 countries. $444 million: Estimated wealth of author J.K. Rowling $397 million: Estimated wealth of the Queen of England

Millennials influence the present and are the future. Pay close attention to them,

as their usage of media influences other

demographic groups and they literally represent the

world to come.Yahoo: Born to Be Wired

Your ChallengeYour ChallengeUse your D.A.T.A. to Create our Future!

Desire Abilities Temperament Assets

Inspire, Continue to Learn, Passion, Initiate Change, Lead