Engaging the Digital Generation - Grand Valley State University Academic Advisors

https://go.uis.edu/GVSUAdvisors2019

Who is Generation Z
- Born between 1995 - 2012
- Entered college between 2013-14 and today
- Beloit College's Annual List of Incoming Freshmen (Class of 2020)Characteristics

Gen Z: The Phigital Student
Universities don't meet the expectations of Gen Z Students
- One-third of students feel student administration systems do not meet their expectations.
- Study found that 7 in 10 students would recommend that their universities review and change its digital strategy.
- 49% of students reported taking fewer courses per semester and 45% reported not registering for a course because of the high cost of textbooks.
- 64% of students opted out of buying textbooks for the first day of class
- Students are choosing not to study business and computer science because of the cost of textbooks.

Gen Z students tend to thrive when they are given the opportunity to have a fully immersive educational experience and they even enjoy the challenges of being a part of it.

51% of surveyed students said they learn best by doing while only 12% said they learn through listening.

"Kids today have grown up with technology. They're looking for experiences that use tech purposefully, not frivolously," Julie Evans, CEO of Project Tomorrow (emphasis added - https://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/DigitalEducation/2018/08/generation_z_prefers_learning_from_youtube.html)

Undergraduate Gen Z students & Campus Experience

Four in 10 incoming college freshmen in the fall of 2016 reported feeling "overwhelmed" by their responsibilities, compared to 28% in 2000
Students need to "Discover happiness on the way to being curious". (Todd Kasden, professor of psychology)
It will be critical for colleges to address Gen Z's mental health needs head-on and from the start of their time on campus.
73% of incoming Get Z students indicate they needed emotional support in the past 12 months.

(Schwartz, N. 2019 available at: https://www.educationdive.com/news/gen-z-takeover-as-demand-for-mental-health-services-grows-colleges-give-s/552475/)

Undergraduate Gen Z students & digital technology

Available at: http://info.unit4.com/rs/900-SZD-631/images/U4-EDU-GEN-Education-research-infographic.pdf

Engagement Strategies for Gen Z?

Think Digital in all communications and activities
Break content into short bite-size segments (think text)
Make information graphical
Rethink how you communicate - it about the students, not about your preferred style
Be relevant! Respect the time of the Gen Z student
Provide individualized advising
Use Social Media approaches to communication
Always address the future needs of the students in preparation of a career
Provide access to resources to help eliminate student loan debt
Acknowledge that this generation sees themselves as Smart, Creative, and Hardworking, as well as in need of Wellness support.

Gen Z in the Classroom: Creating the Future - Making a Difference

(End at 2:01)

Unlike Millennials, who pursue personal fulfillment more widely than financial goals or job titles, Gen Z values college most as a means to secure a good job. (Malat, 2016)

(End at 2:02)

Advising Strategies for Millennial and Gen Z Student

In a recent survey (Schauffhauser, 2018)

36% of both Millennial (over 25 years of age) and Gen Z (under 24 years of age) students indicated time management was their top barrier to success.
35% of both Millennial (over 25 years of age) and Gen Z (under 24 years of age) students indicated fear of failure was their top barrier to success.
30% of Gen Z students indicated study skills remained a significant barrier to success. Only 22% of Millennials agreed.
35% of Millennials reported being overwhelmed by daily responsibilities. Only 25% of Gen Z students agreed.

"The next wave of student success initiatives must grapple with an inescapable reality: Today's students are as likely to be derailed by life and logistical challenges — balancing working and learning, childcare, food and shelter — as they are by academics. If we want more students to succeed, we need to continue listening and develop systems, strategies and messaging that is more responsive to their needs." (Milliron, 2018)

Source: JobBuzz, 2018

The App Generation

The App Mentality

There is no room for ambiguity or sitting for a time with uncertainty
Aversion to risk in relationships, coursework, personal expression, fear of failure

App-enablement

Use apps and devices as a connection to new experiences and new knowledge
Allows for creativity and personal relationships in new and meaningful ways

App-dependence

Technology is used as the starting point AND
Technology is used as a middle connection to anything else AND
Technology is used to determine the final outcome of interaction.

(Gardner and Davis, 2013)

Preparing Students to Build a Career…

What do today's students need from their universities?

To guide the learning processes

To embrace technology

To encourage educational freedom

To teach risk-taking

To understand speed of access matters

What skills do students need to learn to become robot-proof in the job market?

Technical skills

Conceptual skills

Interpersonal skills

Entrepreneurial and Innovation skills

Information Literacy

Humanistic Literacy

Interactive (fun) tool (Will Robots Take My Job?)

Hiring Generation Z...

Source: JobBuzz, 2018

35% of Millenials

More than 1/3 of Gen Z students own or plan to own their own business.

(Fong, 2018)

Gen Z Students need:
- The ability to prepare for multiple career fields at one time and "slash" careers through development of transferable skills
  - I am a teacher/freelance writer
  - I am a business associate/waiter
  - I am an administrative assistant/photographer
  - I am a middle manager/adjunct faculty member

Learning Preferences

Generation Z: craves regular and technology-enhanced training opportunities. Looks for professional development that uses visually enhanced methods of training.