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
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.
Umbridge: You will please copy the approved text four times to insure maximum pretention. There will be no need to talk.
Hermione: [sotto voice] No need to think is more like it.
[neville flicks out wand[Expelliarmus] umbridge:Wands away.
Internet Savvy
Self-taught in areas of interest (YouTube)
Hyper-connected
Hyper locally/community minded
Supremely confident
Entrepreneurial
Independent learners
Has a digital footprint
Uses images more than words
Wants relevant learning leading to a career
Understand the need for resources to help eliminate student loan debt
Sees themselves as Smart, Creative, and Hardworking
Seeking institutions that share their values!
Think Digital in all assignments, assessments, activities
Break content into short segments
Make information graphical and bite size
Rethink how you communicate
Be relevant. Respect the time of the Gen Z student
Provide individualized instruction - think adaptive learning
Use Social Media approaches to learning
Set up students for a career
Provide access to resources to help eliminate student loan debt
Acknowledge that this generation sees themselves as Smart, Creative, and Hardworking
Most Helpful Online Classroom Tools for Gen-Z Student Learning:
Barnes & Noble Report
(https://next.bncollege.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Gen-Z-Research-Report-Final.pdf)
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)
Become a Learning Guide
Embrace Technology
Encourage Educational Freedom
Teach Risk-Taking
Understand Speed of Access Matters
What skills do students need to learn as we teach discipline specific content?
Technical skills
Conceptual skills
Interpersonal skills
Entrepreneurial and Innovation skills
Information Literacy
Humanistic Literacy
Producing a Generation of Problem Solvers
...education needs to become a dynamic activity, providing a combination of four ingredients:
Knowledge, starting with the basic skills of literacy and numeracy, moving onto knowledge of core content and then to higher order concepts and thinking skills, to challenge, question, adapt and apply knowledge in new ways.
Personal strengths and character development, including helping students find a sense of purpose and ambition, and building their resilience and persistence (knowing how to stick with it and overcome setbacks and obstacles).
Social experiences so they deepen their relationships with others, learn and think through dialogue and collaboration, and take action together to make and do things for and with other people.
Activities that give students a strong sense of agency, so that they learn how to turn knowledge and ideas into action to see that they can make a difference to the world so they can serve and contribute. (Ledbetter, 2016)
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.
Attitudes toward Authority
Generation Z: is high maintenance and wants high intensity in relationships with those in authority, as well as their peers.
Special Interests
Generation Z: thrives on opportunity. Excel when they receive guidance in how to achieve their goals.
Cultivating Culture for Successful Learning Environments with Multiple Generations
Promote understanding, acceptance, and respect
Each student is valued for individual contribution
Each student is respected for their strengths
Communication is open.
Learning environment promotes project-based assignments that utilize the strengths of each member.
Specific individualized guidance is provided.
Function-based work projects are reduced or eliminated.
Technology is used to create interest and enhance content.
Generation Z (Phigital Generation)
Contact information:
Dr. Vickie Cook
Executive Director of the Center for Online Learning, Research and Service
University of Illinois Springfield
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https://sites.google.com/a/uis.edu/colrs_cook/
217-206-7317
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