That was just to get your attention. Being a Boomer and trying to teach automotive to Gen Y has got to be one of the most challenging and exasperating things I’ve done recently. Although these days, automobiles and trucks incorporate advanced technology these vehicles are still based on a basic mechanical motor and drivetrain. Most students develop their interest in this industry on the mechanical side of it. Although the students are quite prolific in using their cell phones, laptops, I-pads etc. they have no concept of how the technology (electronics) work. Most of them don’t want to take the time to try to learn it. Instant gratification (another problem with these young whipper snappers) is how they have grown up. Like I've read in some of these courses here, they jump in and will read the directions if they have to. That's fine unless you short out and burn up fifteen feet of wire on a new car. They feel that being able to work the laptop; I-pad etc. are enough. They don’t have the patients to sit through a learning session on ohms law, watts law or even wiring diagrams. Although this is how their knowledge will be judged in the industry. One thing we do at the beginning of every 3 week course is inform the student of our requirement to participate in a group presentation on the last day of class. This does give them some class time where they can use the internet to gather information on their topic (auto/diesel/electric related) for their presentation. Aside from that it’s hard to try to incorporate today’s technology into our classes, aside from the typical lab scope or automotive scan tool. OK now for your joke… A Boomer and a Y’er walk into a bar… “OWW”! Ha ha ha ha ha ha… I kill me!

I agree that when engaging Gen Y learners the information must be relevant and Gen Y learners must understand why it's important before they decide that it's something they should learn.

One thing that is hard, for me as a boomer, to understand is why students so quickly embrace the "me now" mentallity. As a boomer I was promptly reprimanded by my parents for being disrespectful and self-centered if I acted in the fashion our students do today. I can really see this in the students' urgency to get their test results.

What I especially like about Gen Y learners is their eagerness to learn and their ability to do that in multiple forums.

Hello! How does someone go about trying to get a student to speak freely regarding an assignment when they do not want to express themselves in front of the classroom?

Frequently we see the workplace and educational environments catering to Generation Y. Is there a point where we stop? Where we simply create a pass fail rubric that pushes Generation Y into the requirements to build bridges, perform open heart surgery, and move into the future? What the consequences of being too flexible with Generation Y?

This is a fun and exciting group, They need more hands on and comupter involvements. In order for Veterans or Boomers to teach this group, they have to be will to try activities that are not familiar to them in order to succeed as a generation Y instructor.

I just wanted to share that after reading the lesson on "Y'ers" needing more feedback I completely revamped a lesson : gave the students 2 different exercises where they could check themselves to see if they where right. It really worked well, I could see the frustration removed from the previous lab where they had to wait for me to grade their results.

Today it is easier to teach the generation Y's because everythig uses some kind of technology and I'm was born with the generation x"s so I'm quite comfortable using technology.

I found the course information very interesting and useful. The challenge for the instructor is finding the correct balance between content and technology. I agree that technology can be incorpotated into the classroom so that it enhances the subject matter as long as it is not presented as a substitue for using the on-ground library.

If we just take the time to answer a closed ended question perhaps with a no, then say "and let me explain why I said no." This is just what Gen Yrs want.open ended questions do help mget more answers from the students. Give a reason for a descision, a task, a reading assignment...give them a relevant reason to do what you have asked them to do. This approach works so much better, draws a conclusion and everyone walks away happy and informed. Works for me!

I can't understand why the phones are part of everyday life. Everywhere I go signs tell put phone away or turn off for service.the furturev may change to phones as a learning divice I think it makes us forget how to think. Just pull out the old phone and get an instant answer

It is important to realize the method of learning of your own generation from when we were in school to today may be different than the other generations represented in your classroom. we need to adjust to all learners.

Even teaching the same course repetitively is different every time, isn't it?it is certinally not cookie cutter The first couple of class sessions you have to 'read' the class to really do the best possible job.

Generation Y use Social Networks daily to connect with friends, family, but also building networks to help take next steps in careers. For Generation Y using social networks is a normal form of communication just like phone and email.

After reading this section, I have more interest in Gen Y from an instructor perspective. Even though I am not from this generation, I wouldn't relate well to a talking head lecturing from the front of a classroom. I can see value in the various technologies to motivate students (and also their instructors). Instead of rote lecturing, how exciting to develop new lesson plans and projects so the teacher is actually motivated along with the students.

I find it interesting that many students prefer usage of text or e-mail rather than speaking on the telephone. The response is on their time schedule rather than an immediate conversation with me. I hope speaking face-to-face or on the telephone doesn't become obsolete for the next generation (Gen Z)! Do they even sell stationary or envelopes for letters (not the typical paper used in computers)? Handwriting is also evolving into utilizing computers. Probably the reason that hiring managers can't read job applications and request that forms be completed online.

Reflecting upon our student population - some students gravitate to their own generation and others gravitate to fellow students regardless of their ages who can work in a team atmosphere in order to achieve an objective (grades). I believe that this second group is mature in their approach to education and working in the real world. What if your immediate supervisor is from another generation - does that mean you can't interact professionally with this person? Hopefully this wouldn't be the case, but I'm sure that there are many "Gen X" or "Gen Y" managers who supervise "Boomers".

I personally am a "Boomer", but find that I can relate and work well with other generations. Perhaps I am just young at heart! But all of us have had experiences whether it is with students or staff where generations clash! This course has provided me with concrete reasons and explanations why this occurs and the information has been very helpful in understanding other generations. I intend to continue to be the "fun" grandmother to my six-year old grandson! By the way, who names the generations? I wonder what other designations they have in store for us!

I have had students in radio broadcasting with some paralysis which makes it difficult for them to use the equipment. Is there anyone else who has had the same or similiar situation and how did you handle it?