I am enjoying the ED 117 course. I found the information interesting for not only for the purposes of classroom strategy and activity development but also for my own personal reflection. Recently, I attended a local Human Resources Management Society meeting. The speaker's topic was the Generation Y group. He challenged the audience to consider not labeling any individual as part of a generational group. Rather, one should focus upon discovering what motivates the individual to success through human interaction/conversation....a simple idea in this technology-driven world. This same simple philosophy was also stressed in the ED 117. 

Enjoying the EE117 Generation Y course so far. But I've always heard the generation born during 1922-1943 referred to as "The Greatest Generation". This course calls them "Veterans" and "The Silent Generation". Veterans is a phrase meant for someone who served in the military, so I don't think it should be applied to an entire generation.... And "Silent" does not seem empowering. So is there a better name for The Greatest Generation? - Beegle in Raleigh

What  majority groupdo you mainly see in your classroom and has it been hard to relate?

By the course information, I would be labeled a Gen Y.  I was born in 1981.  However, I feel more like I fit better with the Gen X description.  While I did have access to computers fairly early in life, they did not become part of my everyday existance until High school.  I didn't have my first cell phone until I was 19.  I also witnesses the transition from paper to computers since I lived in a less affluent, rural area.  My dad has been in the computer industry for over 35 years and I grew up learning about it, but I also learned how to do research the "old-fasioned way".   While technology is now a "basic necessity" rather than a luxury, many students are not properly taught how to use it.  As a librarian, I see many students who are comfortable with technology and the internet, but have no idea how to "do research".  Technology does not replace learning how to find and use information.  Technology now just means there are more ways to find it and MUCH more information to find.  So therefore, we must also know how to decide if that information is relevant, accurate and current.  I have come to live more like a Gen Y, but I don't feel like I was a Gen Y as I was growing up.  I know there are lots of generalizations in the descriptions, but as an introvert, I actually hate small groups and prefer to work by myself.  I do multi-task quite often, but I also feel myself becoming overwhelmed at times when I try to multi-task or I loose concentration and forget what I'm doing.  

As a librarian, I know the importance of using technology to find information, but the students don't seem interested in learning the process behind research, they just want the information given to them.  I guess this is where I need to find ways to make research seem more FUN!

very nice post!

great topic

It is important to learn as much as you can about each generation.

I am looking for good resoures to better assist stduents on the Autism spectrum with interview skills.  Is anyone training employers to work with these stduents?

Has anyone found any strategies that are particularly useful in developing critical thinking skills?

I am a Boomer who has been in education for over 35 years. I enjoyed the review and found it interesting to see the generational generalizations.  It was nice to review these concepts. 

This is great infomation as to how to incorporate my Baby Boomer educational learning style to current Gen Y technology learning.

How do you divert negative behavior whren dealing with an ODD student.

There are a number of ELL students in our school and I have had many in my classrooms.  Some understand English better than others.  How to you help the student who does not understand English very well understand the material without embarrassing them?

I myself am a late-boomer/early-genxer. Something instilled in me early on was personal responsibility, I.E. the need to manage the burdens of school, bills, and social obligations. I will admit it took me a while. I notice in certain instances with GenY learners that they need constant reminding of deadlines. Perhaps there's a tech tool that I might incorpoarte where these students can take ownership of these issues?

Other than simply looking something up, are there ways I can have students use their devices to enhance a group learning experience?

I have found success by discussing the outcome of their efforts in class and how it relates to the path toward employment. Using discussions, start with their goals and work "backwards" through the steps and objectives of the class to achieve their goals.  During that discussion I find two things happen.  First, the students imediately realize the class objectives and relevency, and second it gives me an idea of the best learning methods to use in presenting the material.  Students quickly gain ownership in the subject matter because they now feel somewhat familiar with it.  They are more willing to actively participate and offer their ideas as the class now progresses forward.

This online format fits the way I have come to expect to learn. I was born in 1990, right in the middle of Gen Y life. I used my grasp of technology to quickly move through this course and ingest the material. Interesting!