What is a Millennial?

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by Jenny Combs on Wed, 07/07/2010 - 4:35am

Many of the beginning teachers we work with fall into a group called the “millennials”.   This group of people has grown up with technology and it’s an integrated part of their lives. There are some other interesting trends and thoughts about this new generation.  As we work with new teachers who are part of this generation – it’s helpful if we have a perspective of their possible mindset.

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READ ARTICLE IN DELTA MAGAZINE: MAY 2010

 


 

·         What learnings did you take away from the description?

·         What strategies might you use in working with Millennials?

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Comments

2 comments posted
Nikkya Brooks's picture
Submitted by Nikkya Brooks on Sun, 07/18/2010 - 4:23am

This article just open my eyes even more on how the school system is relying more on technology than anything else. 

I am 27 years old and have been teaching for three years. While I was in school the transition from finding your research in a book was slowly transitioning to finding articles on the Internet.  As this transition was taking place my teachers would stress the importance of not relying on the web because "it would make you brain lazy" and that it is better to search for books at the library rather than have a computer give you the answer right away.

I do feel that the teachers who have been teaching for less than five years know more about technology however i still feel that it is important to teach kids how to do school work the "old fashion" way as well as current. 

Dave Orphal's picture
Submitted by Dave Orphal on Thu, 07/15/2010 - 9:59am
At age 38 and entering my 16th year teaching, I find myself frequently in the bizarre position of being the oldest teacher in the team when once I was the youngest.
 
New teachers (who haven’t joined our profession as a second career) have grown up in a digital world – where e-mail is more convenient than the phone and phones are used more often to access data than to call another person.
 
Millennials are far more comfortable with Web 2.0 collaboration platforms than their Boomer colleagues. Gen X teachers, who are between the two, are in a unique position to help bridge the gap between teacher leaders (often Gen X’ers or Boomers) and new teachers. We can appreciate the apprehension and aversion some Boomers may have about adopting new technologies and try to guide them in adapting to a new communication world.
 
On the other hand, our P-16 students have grown up in a digital world. Not only have the tools of technology and research changed dramatically, but the definitions of what it means to be a well-educated person are changing. In this regard, our Millennials colleagues may be the real leaders in how to tailor learning experiences for our digital students.