TEACHING AND LEARNING METHODS AND APPROACHES

TEACHING AND LEARNING METHODS AND APPROACHES

  

QUESTION

How do we cater the group of Y-generation?                          

What is generation Y?

Throughout history, there is quite a lot names to explain Generation Y. Among term usually used to define this type of generation are Gen Y, Generation Y, Digital Generation, and Generation we, Generation sell, Generation Net, Next generation and sometimes called Millennia Generation. Sometimes it is quite confusing to use Millennia generation as to differ to the generation after generation Y. To be exact, Generation Y can be defined as any person who was born from 1977 until 1995. Birth years are the key because they indicate the beliefs, values, preferences, and priorities of a population when segmented by age. By referring to the birth year from 1977 until 1995, the amount of Generation Y throughout the world is approximately 49.8 billion.

            Characteristics of the generation vary by region, depending on social and economic conditions. Each generation also can be different or classified from the other generation by their average characteristics that observed. For Generation Y, among the characteristics is:

NO	CHARACTERISTICS	DESCRIPTION
1	Impatient	This generation was raised in a world dominated by technology and instant     gratification
2	Skeptical	In recent years there has been more scamming, cheating, lying and exploiting than ever from the major figures in the media. This includes everyone from rock stars to the president
3	Blunt & Expressive	Self expression is favored over self control. Making their point is most important
4	Image Driven	Making personal statements with their image is very important.
5	Young & Lack of experience	Although they have a “seen it all, done it all” air about them, lack of life experience means that they don’t know everything yet. They are aware of this and are not afraid to ask questions. For this generation, it is better and more time-saving to ask questions, than to waste time trying to figure it out
6	High Adaptability	Generation Y is used to adapting and being comfortable in various situations.
7	Technologically Savvy	Growing up in the age of technology and taking advantage of it
8	Ability to grasp new concepts	This is a learning-oriented generation.
9	Efficient multi taskers	They will do it faster and better than their competition.
10	Tolerant	Generation Y will make the increasingly diverse workforce feel at home and comfortable.

Generation X

Generation X is the buzzword used to define people who started out as babies born between the years 1965 and 1976. 

The Gen X babies are now adults, they earn money and they spend money. Of course this makes them a demographic group that is of particular importance to internet marketers. As always, when you are looking at target audiences it stands you in good stead to attempt to know them almost as well as you know yourself. Only then can you hone your promotions to resonate effectively with them.

Understanding of 2 Groups, X and Y

In general, both Generation X and Generation Y are:

More adaptable than previous generation groups, they are very likely to use flexible schedules in the work place and with family leave options. They were raised up in a world of flexibility. They were the 1st generations to have two working parents. In order to suit X and Y groups, you need to be flexible yourself. Offer a range of choices, and be prepared to satisfy their often particular demands.

Both groups are far more knowledgeable when it comes to technology than the previous generations were; in addition they are more comfortable using it.

Because of this, both the X group and the Y group represent an ideal target audience when it comes to internet business, online promotions and web marketing. They're au fait with navigating their way around the online environment and they're open to flexible approaches in business.

                                                            Ref; Jay Shapiro is a freelance writer based in the UK
"Alongside the nuts and bolts of business, the character of the person is often the ingredient responsible for success."

How to cater, controlled or tackle?

It is a common perception that Generation Y are selfish, lazy and hard to get along with. They are said to have no interest in hard work and typically interested only in themselves and what they want.

Basically, Generation Y is both high-performance and high-maintenance. With high expectations of both themselves and of their employers, the Generation Y employee will work hard and fast if they feel they are getting the respect and recognition they deserve. A simple “well done” is often enough for a job well done.

Generation Y crave creative challenges and will actively seek to be engaged in everything they can be, so as an employer of this generation, this can become advantage and a valuable resource to that eager employees.

Generation Y doesn’t want to work long and hard; they want to work smart, so they’ll be sure to work quickly. Generation Y wants to be in charge, they want to be successful and take it to the top as soon as they can. This means Generation Y will work to impress you if you give them the chance. Allow them to host board meetings and take on management roles because the truth is that seniority does not make a good manager; people skills make a good manager, and Generation Y understands what they want from the person in charge.

Generation Y is obsessed with career development. They understand the importance of great mentors and will often actively seek them out. The trouble is that many older workers have no interest in mentoring younger employees because of the stigma attached with the Generation Y attitude problem.

Generation Y can also be useful as mentors themselves. They can teach older co-workers about new technologies and the supremacy of online communities. Don’t be afraid to hire them. Yes, they can be a little self-obsessed and egotistical but they will be our country’s newest leaders.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Generation Y comes across the biggest difference in terms of technology with previous generation. Technology is the leading way to evolve everyday ways. Technology changes in the blink of an eye from new to “improved”. Even though the future lies in the hands of the Millennial who strive to be more and more technologically aware, there is some coaching needed in proper work etiquette to cater them. We need to understand their characteristics and expectation from society or within an organization itself. They care for future personal development, positive respectful environment either within workplace or even learning institution, a total reward for successful and flexibility time management.

 ( * BABY BOOMERS - BORN FROM 1945-1963 )

References:

1.   Professor Julian Birkinshaw, “Labnotes – Theory Y meets Generation Y”, Issue 10, December 2008

2.    Tamara Erickson, “Plugged In: The Generation Y Guide to Thriving at Work”,  Harvard Businees School Press, 2008

3.    Birkinshaw, “Innovation in the workplace”, CIPD Survey Report, September 2008

4.    Wikipedia