generation y

"The art of war" 3000 year old chinese book

We need to teach our students to
Analyse
Synthesise
Evaluate
Apply to a new problem
Come up with creative solutions

Labor advocates we have a national curriculum based on a solid grounding in
English science maths history and ict
Knowledge economy is in the past

Other countries are looking at developing a Creative economy: problem solving and lateral thinking

Analyse document in an educational light, not political
Identify educational theory and analysis

Deep thinking model

Think
Pair
Share

how to maximise learning

our students: the millenials, generation Y

what are they after? what satisfies them?

- provide challenging work that really matters
- provide ongoing training and learning opportunities
- balance clearly delegated assignments with the freedom and flexibility to produce results in their own way?
- get to know their individual strengths and gifts
- mentoring relationships
- comfortable low stress work environment
- flexible scheduling
- be personable and joke around with each other while getting the job done
- balance the role of boss with team player
- treat them as colleagues
- be respectful and call forth respect in return
- consistently provide constructive feedback
- let them know when they have done a good job

characteristics:

love to multi task (mobile phone, web, i pod)
leads to superficial learning therefore need techniques to ensure high level learning
can include in class in a functional way but don't let it disturb the class or your learning

driven by networking - find it hard to work alone

Several such events have been used as ways of defining Generation Y.
The Challenger explosion on January 28, 1986 is one major event that separates Generation X and Generation Y, as most members of Generation Y were either not yet born or too young to remember this major national event.
The fall of the Soviet Union and the First Gulf War are both midway events for members of Generation Y, occurring in 1991, as many members were old enough to remember these events as children, but many had not yet been born.
The widespread use of personal computers and the Internet is an event shared by the majority of Gen Y. Taking off during the period 1996-2001, most members of this generation spent at least part of their youth with a home computer and internet access, and members of this Generation use the Internet as a tool for socialization more so than previous generations.

The date of the September 11 attacks is an often proposed end-point for the generation. Those that were not yet born in 2001 and those that were otherwise too young to remember and/or understand the events of that day (about 1997 up) would thus be grouped into Generation Z or what Cryderman defines as the iGeneration as they would have no memory whatsoever of the 20th Century and any predigital technologies still around in the Nineties. Meanwhile, people who were still in school (or had recently graduated) would be called Generation Y. Such propositions, of course, remain disputed.
Afghanistan and the Iraq War, as well as the "War on Terror" may become the conflicts that define Gen Y, akin to World War II for the GI Generation and the Vietnam War for the Baby Boomers.
Hurricane Katrina, Indian Ocean Tsunami, and other disasters that occurred in a very close span of each other.

Even before they could type and mouse-click their way through the Internet, they grew up with modern media choices: television remotes to encourage channel flipping; cable, with its wealth of channels among which to switch; and multiple TVs (with video recorders and video game systems) in a household. These TV choices reduced the commonality (and centralized control) of the viewing experience.

Trends/problems among Generation Y members

As with previous generations, many problems began to surface as Generation Y came of age.
Underage drinking and illicit drug use is prevalent among high school and college age members of Generation Y. In urban areas, rave culture was known for its influence on Ecstasy usage. Marijuana, methamphetamine, cocaine, and inhalants seem to be most favored.[5] Drug usage prevails even in spite of (and, in some cases, because of) most Gen Y members undergoing programs such as D.A.R.E. during childhood.[6] However, statistically, today's teens are less likely to smoke, drink, do illegal drugs, get pregnant, commit a crime, or drop out of school than their parents in the 1970s.[7]
The use of legal prescription medications illegally is an emerging trend of Generation Y, including the appearance of "Pharming parties" where youths trade, share, and try each other's prescription medications.[8]

Generation Y is prescribed, in relative terms, a much greater number of pharmaceuticals than previous generations, [citation needed] with many Generation Y-ers prescribed antidepressants and other behavior-altering drugs like Ritalin, which has existed since the 1950s but was seldom prescribed before the early 1990s based on evidence supporting its pharmacological etymology prior to the 1990s. [citation needed] It is interesting to note that Generation Y is more depressed and world-aware than any previous generation, which has led to Generation Y gaining a stereotype as the "sad generation."[citation needed]
Childhood obesity is another health problem that has plagued Generation Y, and X before them. In response, many local school boards have started to remove junk food from school cafeterias in an effort to reverse this trend.[citation needed] In Victoria, Australia, there are laws that restrict the purchase of junk food at canteens in government schools to eight times a year.[9]

Members of this generation are facing higher costs for higher education than previous generations.[10]
As members of Generation Y in the United States begin to enter colleges and universities in large numbers, some of their Baby Boomer parents are becoming helicopter parents. Many college advisors and administrators worry that this could have a negative effect on Generation Y's social progress, ego, and developing maturity.[11]

The Australian Leadership Foundation
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What most influences Generation Y?
Peers:
While the Builders’ Generation are most influenced by authority figures and Boomers make decisions based on data and facts, post-modern youth are more likely to make a decision based on the influence of their own peers. Our research has further confirmed that the biggest factor determining the choice a teenager will make is the experiences of their core group of 3 to 8 friends. Rather than making independent decisions based on core values, they live in a culture encouraging them to embrace community values, and to reach consensus.

Pragmatism:
It is understandable that young people today are less idealistic than generations past due in part to the media and popculture that fills their life. The most popular song of the 1940’s was Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas” (1942), for the 50’s it was “Rock around the Clock” (Bill Haley and his Comets, 1955), and the 60’s it was the Beatles’ “I want to hold yourhand” (1963). A quick listen to the music of choice for Generation Y reveals what different times they live in. Much is made of the dark lyrics of Eminem and Marilyn Manson, but these are just public examples of the popular and pervasive genre. The influence of music is second only to the influence of TV and movies in Gen Y culture. George Barna has found that when teenagers were asked, “What/who has a lot of influence on your thinking and behaviour?” one quarter of the influence on their lives is
from TV and movies.

increasingly short term focus

What are their values?
By understanding what today’s youth most value, we can determine how to most effectively engage them. The core values of the Builders and Boomers generations included solid values such as a strong work ethic, respect for authority, loyalty and commitment, financial conservatism, long-term planning, and delayed gratification. Of course many chose to reject these values however they were still culturally dominant. The values in vogue today are drastically different:

Relational Connection:
Gen Y is seeking after more than just friendships. They want community: to be understood, accepted, respected, and included. Our research shows that while they spend most of their spare time with their peers, they often fail to experience real unconditional love, and connection when with them. Above all else, Australian teens wish for “a happy relationship” and “a loving family”ix. A stereotype is that this generation has no loyalty however they do demonstrate strong loyalty to their friends. They work hard to live up to what their peers expect of them, and their self-esteem often rests on how well
regarded they are in their group or sub-culture.

most materially endowed and entertained generation of teenagers
yet broken marriages, absentee parenting, stress related illnesses
disillusioned
easily bored and don't want to be
want "trustworthy" guidance or direction

How can we better communicate with them?
The traditional talk and chalk won’t work with this generation. Our communication style is structured, yet they want freedom. We stress learning, they like experiencing. We react, they relate. We focus on the individual, while they are socially driven. Here are four essentials to consider when engaging with youth today:

Real:
Not only must our communication style be credible, but we must be also. They don’t expect us to know all about their lifestyle, nor do they want us to embrace their culture. They are simply seeking understanding, and respect. If our communication has a hidden agenda, or we are less than transparent, it will be seen. This generation can sniff a phoney from a long distance.

Raw:
Today’s youth have access to the most advanced technology, movie special effects, and video games with which we can never compete. But the good news is that they are not impacted by slick presentations. They don’t want a rehearsed talk, or a manufactured spiel. The more spontaneous and interactive we are in the classroom, the less intimidated, and more open they will be.

Relevant:
Obviously what we are communicating has to fall within their area of interest. But the style, as well as the content of our message must be relevant to a generation who are visually educated and entertained. There is no point in giving music to a friend on a cassette tape if they only have a CD player, or on CD if they only use MP3. Similarly we must research in the most appropriate format for those we are reaching. So in understanding the communication styles of our target cohort we will be better equipped to reach them.

Relational:
There is an old and true saying in education circles: “They don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care!” Communicating to this generation requires openness, vulnerability, and genuine interest in those we are trying to teach, and above all else, understanding. The more relaxed the environment, and the more socially conducive to discussions; the better will be the quality of the learning.

A Final Word:
Whether we are involved in educating youth, or in a leadership role, a quality outcome is dependent on our understanding of them. Once we have a foundational grasp of their characteristics, communication styles, and social attitudes, we will be well equipped to effectively impact this enormous and emerging generation.

Businessweek.com...
Following the fiercely independent Gen Xers, Gen Y has emerged as the "self-esteem generation." After all, Yers grew up basking in "the Decade of the Child," as the humanistic theories of childhood psychology permeated counseling, education, and parenting. Don't forget, during the '90s, parents worked double-time to get the balancing act right after the workaholic '80s. A growing number of businesses extended parental leave to men as well as women, and fathers became more involved in parenting than ever before.

Beyond the self-esteem-laced parenting, educating, and counseling most Gen Yers received throughout their childhood and adolescence, most also received a healthy dose of technology immersion. Gen Yers' facility with technology has empowered them in ways older cohorts can only imagine. This digital generation has never experienced life without computers. In fact, many of them were booting up computers long before they were hopping on bikes.

Techno-savvy Yers are now usurping "intellectual authority" in their homes and classrooms, leaving parents and teachers both confused and in awe. They can access worlds of information and master increasing complex systems so much faster than their elders.

No. 2 -- Gen Yers are the most education-minded generation in history
Influenced by Baby Boomer parents who value education and a workplace that demands it, most Gen Yers recognize that the key to their success lies in advanced learning:
90% of high school seniors expect to attend college 70% of them expect to work in professional jobs 70% of teens believe college is necessary to meet their career goals 40% of college freshman expect to get their master's degrees

As a result, more high school students than ever before are taking harder college prep courses. For the "education is cool" generation, the expectation of lifelong education is a fact of life. The good news for college grads is that their talents are in great demand and starting salaries continue to rise. JobTrak.com reports that for the class of 2000 they rose anywhere from $600 at the low end (in the communications and media fields) to $3400 at the high end (in computers and information sciences fields).

No. 3 -- Paving the way for a more open, tolerant society Products of biracial and multicultural marriages, creators of customized spiritual paths, railers against racism, sexism and homophobia: Gen Y is the most cross-culture, cross-creed, and cross-color generation in U.S. history -- and the best hope we've had so far for a more open, tolerant society. With icons like Tiger Woods and Mariah Carey leading the way, young adults are struggling to define themselves beyond the traditional confines of race, worship, or ethnicity.

The more self-confident of them are exhibiting a growing self-acceptance that opens the way to other-acceptance.

No. 4 -- Leading a new wave of Volunteerism
Right now, we are witnessing the coming of age of the most socially conscious generation since the '60s. Responding to messages from schools, homes, and churches that they can make a difference, Gen Yers are exhibiting a refreshing altruism that embraces the environment, poverty and community problems.

From toy drives to working for better child labor laws; from supporting local recycling programs to calling for corporate ecological standards; from traveling to India to work with Mother Teresa's community to traveling to the local food banks to distribute groceries; from raising money for breast cancer research to saving music and arts programs in local high schools, Gen Yers are contributing in record numbers.