Millennials in the Classroom

A few posts ago we started exploring the different generations in the classroom and workplace. As this is the population that we're most likely to see more of in the future, let's spend some more time looking at the Millennials.

In January, the Teaching & Learning Center put on a lunch-time talk about this topic. You can listen to a recording of the presentation and discussion here. Some of the big ideas that arose in this discussion, as well as in the literature, are the following:

• Low threshold for frustration and ambiguity
• Tech-savvy in social media but may lack skills in programs such as Excel
• VERY social and looking for meaningfulness
• Expect instant feedback with praise
• Need guidance in professionalism

This video below Danielle Hart, MD provides some tips for teaching and engaging this new generation.

The Millennial Generation & "The Lecture" from Academic Emergency Medicine on Vimeo.

So, some questions for you...

• What experiences have you had with the Millennials?
• What strategies do you use to engage different generations in the classroom?
• What are areas that you would like suggestions about from your colleagues?