Millennials as Learners Adapting our Teaching Strategies to Prepare Students for

Success in Today's Technology Immersed Economy  

Heidi  Dieckmann,  MPAcc,  BBA,  CA,CPA,  Accoun4ng  Faculty,  Kwantlen  Polytechnic  University

What is different about the MILLENNIAL GENERATION

(born between 1981 and 2000)

Impact of Technology Innovation on Millennials?

Photo Source: http://cx.aos.ask.com/question/aq/1400px-788px/pros-cons-banning-cell-phones-school_d88d43d984c1f10.jpg

Impact of Technology on Millennials

CHARACTERISTICS Entrepreneurial generation (barriers to entry lower)

Most educated generation Charitable/Social movement

•  lack of fear for standing up for what is right, support companies that give back

Strong research

skills

Social circles expanded

Multi Taskers

Adaptable to

technology

Open to Differences

24 Hour A Day Access

Impact of Technology on Millennials

•  ‘Distracted Generation’

– College students avg of 67 texts/day check their phone avg of 11 x during class

– Social expectations - provide instant responses

– 80% use 2 or more devices while watching TV

–  Teens spend 9 hours a day using electronic media

Impact: Due to technological immersion students have a shorter attention span

ISSUE EXCHANGE

What are the top challenges you are finding in your classrooms educating today’s students? Photo source:http://www.littlepocketguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/

iDeXInnovation.jpg

Millennials as Learners: AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION

RESEARCH RESULTS

1.  Variety 2.  Multimedia 3. Instructor

relationships 4. Collaborative

learners 4.  Real-world

relevance

5. Online research 6. Hybrid/flexible

learning environments

7. Clear instructions, defined expectations

8. Micro learning

IDEA EXCHANGE

What techniques have you found successful?

1. Offering variety 2. Multimedia elements 3. Mentoring students 4. Bringing the real-world in the

classroom 5. New/adapted teaching methods 6. Micro learning Photo source: http://www.littlepocketguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/iDeXInnovation.jpg

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Act quick + capture attention

2. Develop relationships 3. Redesign àReal world

relevance 4. Develop multiple deadlines 5. Mix it Up – Rule of 10 /

Micro learning

IDEA EXCHANGE

What benefits/challenges have you found with adapting your teaching/learning environment to meet the needs of your students?

Cautionary Notes

Be wary of: Continuously adding on too many new elements without taking away from traditional learning elements

Cautionary Notes

Avoid:Too many micro learning elements without providing opportunity for deep thinking + vague assignments

Millennials + Plagiarism When Collaboration Goes too Far

THE MILLENNIAL PERSPECTIVE •  Most students are in the dark about plagiarism •  Massive changes to reading, writing,

communicating, and accessing information•  Texting, blogs, e-mail and other digital forms of

literacy are pervasive •  Today’s learning emphasizes creativity,

innovation, and collaboration (wikis, blogs, other social platforms)

students neglect to understand where the line is between collaboration and plagiarism Photo source:https://pixabay.com/static/uploads/photo/2016/03/26/14/42/macbook-1280687_960_720.jpg

IDEA EXCHANGE

What problems have you had with plagiarism?

q Clearly outline plagiarism policies and provide examples of past violations.

q Ensure assignment requirements are clear

q Refocus on big picture impact of how the activity will help them

q Coach students/require students to submit various stages of project

HOW WE CAN HELP Minimize Plagiarism + Promote Active Learning

q Avoid traditional essay style reports, consider using multimedia projects

q Educate students on using material presented in Creative Commons (search. creativecommons.org) or Google Images Advanced Search options to find images designated for public use

q creating checkpoints along the way to ensure students are understanding the assignment and have the right approach

q Library resources-MLA/APA referencing styles

Minimize Plagiarism + Promote Active Learning

HOW WE CAN HELP

SOURCES American Psychological Association, http://www.apa.org

Rethinking Plagiarism in the Digital Age, Lea Calvert Evering & Gary Moorman, Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy 56(1),(pp. 35-44) September 2012

Bite Size Is the Right Size, How Microlearning Shrinks the Skills Gap in Higher Education, http://a1.grovo.com/asset/whitepapers/Grovo-HigherEd-Microlearning-whitepaper.pdf

http://www.forbes.com/sites/robasghar/2014/11/11/study-millennials-are-the-true-entrepreneur-generation/#20a06ecd5e92

http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/03/health/teens-tweens-media-screen-use-report/

http://cx.aos.ask.com/question/aq/1400px-788px/pros-cons-banning-cell-phones-school_d88d43d984c1f10.jpg

http://canadianmillennials.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/R-U-Ready-for-Us-An-Introduction-to-Canadian-Millennials.pdf

http://www.psychologicalscience.org/index.php/publications/observer/2011/may-june-11/teaching-the-millennials.html

https://www.kent.edu/kent/news/college-students’-smartphone-use-goes-students’-smarts-classroom-go-down

https://web.njit.edu/~zag2/Library2.pdf

http://www.xyoaa.org/sites/all/modules/ckeditor/ckfinder/ckfinder/userfiles/files/education_materials/Millennials'%20Learning%20Tips.pdf

http://www.nielsen.com/content/dam/corporate/us/en/reports-downloads/2014%20Reports/nielsen-millennial-report-feb-2014.pdf

http://www.forbes.com/sites/robasghar/2014/11/11/study-millennials-are-the-true-entrepreneur-generation/#69d7af175e92