Funny, just the other day I was reflecting and it dawned on me the differences of the generations learning styles and influences that happened in the era that are generations had been exposed to. As I read this ed 117, I laughed when they described us Gen X'ers to the T. And this is before I had read this CEE course. Understanding the difference between the generations is a valuable tool in clinical instructing. Esp. when assessing thier needs.

I just ran across an interesting article on college kids and sleep texting. I wanted to post the link. http://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-sleep-texting-2013-8

This section mention that the brains of generation Y are the same as previous generations, that actually is not the case. Research actually shows that technology is physically changing our brains. "The current explosion of digital technology not only is changing the way we live and communicate but also is rapidly and profoundly altering our brains. Daily exposure to high technology—computers, smart phones, video games, search engines such as Google and Yahoo—stimulates brain cell alteration and neurotransmitter release, gradually strengthening new neural pathways in our brains while weakening old ones. Because of the current technological revolution, our brains are evolving right now—at a speed like never before" (Small & Vorgan, 2008).

Reading the information on Generation Y leaves me wondering why a foreign language isn't a requirement at career colleges. I work at two institutions and neither of them offer foreign language courses. I feel this is a key skill for students to acquire with the changing dynamics of our nation. Especially for those entering the medical field and serving a diverse population. In a typical class, I usually have 3-5 that are bilingual while the rest are mono-lingual.

As a paramedical professional, I see children as young as 4 years old on some type of medication for this problem and I ask myself is it the child or the parent who truely has the problem. Many parents are impatient and the first thing they think is, "my overly active child has ADHD" and they want their child to be medicated. Some healthcare providers that I work with are hesitant about medicating these young individuals and believe that with better parenting skills are the answer to some of these problems. One the other hand, I see what medication can help someone with ADHD and or ADD.

I like to use the modern day version of the Socratic method of instruction. It's called the Columbo Technique. 1. I get the student engaged with casual questions regarding the example I'm demonstrating. 2. When the student finally relaxes, I have them explain what I did. 3. Before I move on, I ask them on last thing: What's the answer used for? That's how I lead into the next chapter of the text book. Any other Columbo's out there?

I don't have a problem reaching Gen Y with a White Board, Colored Pens, Handouts, Scientific Calculator, and a good teaching strategy. Am I doing something wrong?

I don't believe that having access to more technology guarantees greater knowledge. There's an enormous amount of fragmented information, opinions, misleading information, ill-informed fantasies, and hyperreality on the internet. On the other hand, access to good information does equal power. You just have to know how, where, and when to find it. Any thoughts?

There appears to be no limit to the number of technological tools you can purchase these days. However, I believe there is a limit to the number of technical tools you can master. If you don't set limits, I say "The more you own, the more you're owned." When you're spending most of your time learning how to format, configure, operate, backup, update, protect, and maintain the technological gadgets and software programs you own, the only thing your prepared for is the "Help Desk." True wisdom requires the application of differentiation, integration and generalization via contemplation. For example, Rene Descartes didn't use a desktop computer, laptop computer, iPad, tablet, or software program to create a bridge between algebra and geometry. He used two flies on the wall, the Pythagorean Theorem, and contemplation. At least, that what I choose to believe. Any thoughts?

I believe that engaging Gen Y learners in something that intrest them is paramount in getting them to learn subject material otherwise they will not give their best.

By using social networking does that open the door to be disconnected from civilization? Will we be so used to sending an email to get something done that we forget how to talk to people?

If your a teacher from the Gen Y era and have older students in your class. How do you get them to take you seriously?

I am from generation X and I would like to know more of the difference between my generation and the Generation Y.

The Gen Y students appear that they do not want to use any manuals. Jumping into a project then wanting to rely on the instructor to walk them through is ok 1 time, but they have to learn where to get the information when no instructor is at their place of employment. Others at work will tire of doing thier work for them.

Being a Digital immirgrant I'm trying to include modern ways to help the younger students, but find a lot of the older ones do not really wanting to jump on board. I have tried several ways to make it interesting for all generations to learn modern technologies, but find this the most difficult task so far.

It is hard for me to let students multi task during class as it did not fit my history and formate of education. What I have learned it is almost always better for the newst generation to do multi task assignments. I find more work is done, less time spent being bored, and better cooperation from the class as a whole. Surprised me very much.

To know about all generation will help in being deverse with our students. Just because they may be in 1 generation doesn't meant that techniques from another generation won't work. Each studnet has differant morals, values, and ethics depending on how they were raise and by whom.I personally was influeanced alot by my grandparents ideas and values.So as a teacher we must embrace any and all ideas to get our students to learn.

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.