Comments on: Millennial Students and Middle-aged Faculty: A Learner-centered Approach toward Bridging the Gap http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/millennial-students-and-middle-aged-faculty-a-learner-centered-approach-toward-bridging-the-gap/ Faculty Focus publishes articles on effective teaching strategies for the college classroom, both face-to-face and online. Sign-up for our free newsletter. Tue, 21 May 2013 14:09:52 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4 By: Steve http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/millennial-students-and-middle-aged-faculty-a-learner-centered-approach-toward-bridging-the-gap/#comment-9829 Steve Sat, 23 Mar 2013 01:24:16 +0000 http://www.facultyfocus.com/?p=39248#comment-9829 Agreed. No longer are students required to adapt to the standards set by the teacher as the inverse is the current pattern. Not everyone can climb Mt. Everest, so should it be cut in half to accommodate more people just to build their self-esteem? Catering to the students rather than the students confronting the challenges in the classroom is backwards and reveals a propensity to use gimmicks to expand education and teach students to learn how to learn on their own. Agreed. No longer are students required to adapt to the standards set by the teacher as the inverse is the current pattern. Not everyone can climb Mt. Everest, so should it be cut in half to accommodate more people just to build their self-esteem? Catering to the students rather than the students confronting the challenges in the classroom is backwards and reveals a propensity to use gimmicks to expand education and teach students to learn how to learn on their own.

]]> By: Vivian Chavez http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/millennial-students-and-middle-aged-faculty-a-learner-centered-approach-toward-bridging-the-gap/#comment-9813 Vivian Chavez Fri, 22 Mar 2013 13:32:49 +0000 http://www.facultyfocus.com/?p=39248#comment-9813 I appreciate the bidirectional model of learning prompted by this article. Like the author, I also want to be relevant and update my pedagogy accordingly. One thing I notice is my colleagues tendency towards monocultural universalism. While “minorities” now account for 36.6 percent of the total population, racial and ethnic minorities for the first time made up more than half of all children born in the USA, totaling 50.4 percent. These demographic shifts as well as the economic disparities in our society need to be underscored in Teaching and Learning. I appreciate the bidirectional model of learning prompted by this article. Like the author, I also want to be relevant and update my pedagogy accordingly. One thing I notice is my colleagues tendency towards monocultural universalism. While “minorities” now account for 36.6 percent of the total population, racial and ethnic minorities for the first time made up more than half of all children born in the USA, totaling 50.4 percent. These demographic shifts as well as the economic disparities in our society need to be underscored in Teaching and Learning.

]]> By: D. Cabaniss http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/millennial-students-and-middle-aged-faculty-a-learner-centered-approach-toward-bridging-the-gap/#comment-9800 D. Cabaniss Thu, 21 Mar 2013 18:58:34 +0000 http://www.facultyfocus.com/?p=39248#comment-9800 Even the most hard-core, code-driven techies living out on the keen edge of the digital avant-garde tend to agree on this: content is king. Our students' technical abilities and predilections (and our own, such as they may be) should be indulged, celebrated, analyzed, parodied, and, where necessary, rigorously critiqued, but they remain tertiary to what has always been, for all serious students everywhere, the central concern that Shelley identified above--what has meaning for their lives. Many of my most successful teaching colleagues embrace technology in the full welter of its contemporary forms, while other, equally successful colleagues eschew anything much beyond the No. 2 pencil and the chalkboard. The one indispensable quality of good teaching, as we all know, is that elemental bond of trust between student and teacher; and the one requirement in the classroom is content that links our students with the profound questions that have always engaged humankind. Thanks to Joan Flaherty for the provocative post. Even the most hard-core, code-driven techies living out on the keen edge of the digital avant-garde tend to agree on this: content is king. Our students' technical abilities and predilections (and our own, such as they may be) should be indulged, celebrated, analyzed, parodied, and, where necessary, rigorously critiqued, but they remain tertiary to what has always been, for all serious students everywhere, the central concern that Shelley identified above–what has meaning for their lives. Many of my most successful teaching colleagues embrace technology in the full welter of its contemporary forms, while other, equally successful colleagues eschew anything much beyond the No. 2 pencil and the chalkboard. The one indispensable quality of good teaching, as we all know, is that elemental bond of trust between student and teacher; and the one requirement in the classroom is content that links our students with the profound questions that have always engaged humankind. Thanks to Joan Flaherty for the provocative post.

]]> By: M.Pilakouta http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/millennial-students-and-middle-aged-faculty-a-learner-centered-approach-toward-bridging-the-gap/#comment-9786 M.Pilakouta Wed, 20 Mar 2013 19:51:05 +0000 http://www.facultyfocus.com/?p=39248#comment-9786 very interesting description of the "problem"... very interesting description of the "problem"…

]]> By: Old School http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/millennial-students-and-middle-aged-faculty-a-learner-centered-approach-toward-bridging-the-gap/#comment-9756 Old School Tue, 19 Mar 2013 00:20:21 +0000 http://www.facultyfocus.com/?p=39248#comment-9756 I agree. Many students need to learn that the world won't always accommodate their desires and preferences. Sometimes, the job requires a set of skills or a process they're not comfortable with. If effective writing requires a lengthy process of revisions, edits, etc., then students need to learn how to do that. while we strive yo better teachers, we are the experts, not the students. I agree. Many students need to learn that the world won't always accommodate their desires and preferences. Sometimes, the job requires a set of skills or a process they're not comfortable with. If effective writing requires a lengthy process of revisions, edits, etc., then students need to learn how to do that. while we strive yo better teachers, we are the experts, not the students.

]]> By: Shelley http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/millennial-students-and-middle-aged-faculty-a-learner-centered-approach-toward-bridging-the-gap/#comment-9754 Shelley Mon, 18 Mar 2013 22:02:25 +0000 http://www.facultyfocus.com/?p=39248#comment-9754 I teach an undergraduate class in educational psychology to students thinking about becoming teachers and find that the issue isn't about how the mind of these (mostly) young folks (18-25) processes information, or the differences in the way we look at the world (I'm 62), but in how relevant I make the material. While I agree that it is important to keep the lecture to a minimum (makes good pedegogical sense), it is most important to show the students how what I'm teaching has meaning for their lives, whether they become a teacher or not. I do this through asking tough questions upon which they reflect individually and with their classmates in discussion, in their reflective writing assignments and in our whole class conversations. When they believe that what I am teaching can make a positive difference in their lives, they are totally engaged and excited. I teach an undergraduate class in educational psychology to students thinking about becoming teachers and find that the issue isn't about how the mind of these (mostly) young folks (18-25) processes information, or the differences in the way we look at the world (I'm 62), but in how relevant I make the material. While I agree that it is important to keep the lecture to a minimum (makes good pedegogical sense), it is most important to show the students how what I'm teaching has meaning for their lives, whether they become a teacher or not. I do this through asking tough questions upon which they reflect individually and with their classmates in discussion, in their reflective writing assignments and in our whole class conversations. When they believe that what I am teaching can make a positive difference in their lives, they are totally engaged and excited.

]]> By: Education | Annotary http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/millennial-students-and-middle-aged-faculty-a-learner-centered-approach-toward-bridging-the-gap/#comment-9750 Education | Annotary Mon, 18 Mar 2013 18:27:34 +0000 http://www.facultyfocus.com/?p=39248#comment-9750 [...] Personal - Interesting edtech - how to Resources edtech - issues Sort Share www.facultyfocus.com       1 minute [...] [...] Personal – Interesting edtech – how to Resources edtech – issues Sort Share http://www.facultyfocus.com       1 minute [...]

]]> By: Chuck http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/millennial-students-and-middle-aged-faculty-a-learner-centered-approach-toward-bridging-the-gap/#comment-9751 Chuck Mon, 18 Mar 2013 18:05:43 +0000 http://www.facultyfocus.com/?p=39248#comment-9751 That's a great suggestion biilgx! That's a great suggestion biilgx!

]]> By: RMS http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/millennial-students-and-middle-aged-faculty-a-learner-centered-approach-toward-bridging-the-gap/#comment-9745 RMS Mon, 18 Mar 2013 15:31:37 +0000 http://www.facultyfocus.com/?p=39248#comment-9745 Very interesting indeed! I love the phrase "learner-centered classroom for both teacher and students". Very interesting indeed! I love the phrase "learner-centered classroom for both teacher and students".

]]> By: mergil http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/millennial-students-and-middle-aged-faculty-a-learner-centered-approach-toward-bridging-the-gap/#comment-9742 mergil Mon, 18 Mar 2013 15:07:35 +0000 http://www.facultyfocus.com/?p=39248#comment-9742 How many professors, did we, as students adapt to so that we could learn from them and isn't that a part of the learning process? Perhaps having the professor adapt to the student's learning style shortchanges the student? How many professors, did we, as students adapt to so that we could learn from them and isn't that a part of the learning process? Perhaps having the professor adapt to the student's learning style shortchanges the student?

]]> By: @billgx http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/millennial-students-and-middle-aged-faculty-a-learner-centered-approach-toward-bridging-the-gap/#comment-9738 @billgx Mon, 18 Mar 2013 14:23:44 +0000 http://www.facultyfocus.com/?p=39248#comment-9738 A key here is "comfort zone." It is a fair thing to expect them to leave their comfort zone as all learning requires this. And the ironic thing is you can accomplish this on their turf. If you teach writing, try having them write a blog or create a well-researched digital video. You will quickly find they are comfortable with only the digital tools they are accustomed to and challenged by tools they are not. A key here is "comfort zone." It is a fair thing to expect them to leave their comfort zone as all learning requires this. And the ironic thing is you can accomplish this on their turf. If you teach writing, try having them write a blog or create a well-researched digital video. You will quickly find they are comfortable with only the digital tools they are accustomed to and challenged by tools they are not.

]]> By: Karl Schnapp http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/millennial-students-and-middle-aged-faculty-a-learner-centered-approach-toward-bridging-the-gap/#comment-9736 Karl Schnapp Mon, 18 Mar 2013 14:15:38 +0000 http://www.facultyfocus.com/?p=39248#comment-9736 I noticed this issue years ago: I keep getting older (more mature and wiser… I hope), but my students never grow up. I’d say they are like Peter Pan, except Dorian Gray is probably a better fit. They sell their souls, but their sins are visited upon me, not on a portrait. Alas! I noticed this issue years ago: I keep getting older (more mature and wiser… I hope), but my students never grow up. I’d say they are like Peter Pan, except Dorian Gray is probably a better fit. They sell their souls, but their sins are visited upon me, not on a portrait. Alas!

]]> By: Millennial Students and Middle-aged Faculty: A Learner-centered Approach | Faculty Focus | Positive Connections http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/millennial-students-and-middle-aged-faculty-a-learner-centered-approach-toward-bridging-the-gap/#comment-9733 Millennial Students and Middle-aged Faculty: A Learner-centered Approach | Faculty Focus | Positive Connections Mon, 18 Mar 2013 14:11:04 +0000 http://www.facultyfocus.com/?p=39248#comment-9733 [...] Millennial Students and Middle-aged Faculty: A Learner-centered Approach | Faculty Focus. [...] [...] Millennial Students and Middle-aged Faculty: A Learner-centered Approach | Faculty Focus. [...]

]]> By: @sumware http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/millennial-students-and-middle-aged-faculty-a-learner-centered-approach-toward-bridging-the-gap/#comment-9732 @sumware Mon, 18 Mar 2013 13:33:34 +0000 http://www.facultyfocus.com/?p=39248#comment-9732 Good thought - I highlighted and bookmarked this article at <a href="https://diigo.com/0xosy" rel="nofollow">https://diigo.com/0xosy</a>. Unfortunately, at many schools, the age many, many of the faculty is more like the students' grandparents than their parents. Tpo many of these faculty are fearful of change and they: - continue to lecture 50 minutes or more, rather than chunk and give students activities to DO - insist on office hours rather than email or texting - don't fashion learner-centered environment. - feel like the teacher and rarely like the learner rather than less like the teacher and more like the learner - have not tried DIYPD - Do It Yourself Professional Development like reading Faculty Focus regularly Please keep this fine FF emails/blog posts coming - I will keep forwarding them. Good thought – I highlighted and bookmarked this article at https://diigo.com/0xosy.

Unfortunately, at many schools, the age many, many of the faculty is more like the students' grandparents than their parents. Tpo many of these faculty are fearful of change and they:
- continue to lecture 50 minutes or more, rather than chunk and give students activities to DO
- insist on office hours rather than email or texting
- don't fashion learner-centered environment.
- feel like the teacher and rarely like the learner rather than less like the teacher and more like the learner
- have not tried DIYPD – Do It Yourself Professional Development like reading Faculty Focus regularly

Please keep this fine FF emails/blog posts coming – I will keep forwarding them.

]]> By: K. Dimitropoulou http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/millennial-students-and-middle-aged-faculty-a-learner-centered-approach-toward-bridging-the-gap/#comment-9731 K. Dimitropoulou Mon, 18 Mar 2013 13:29:58 +0000 http://www.facultyfocus.com/?p=39248#comment-9731 Great paper. Thank you for the insights. Great paper. Thank you for the insights.

]]> By: Carol McGregor http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/millennial-students-and-middle-aged-faculty-a-learner-centered-approach-toward-bridging-the-gap/#comment-9730 Carol McGregor Mon, 18 Mar 2013 13:09:38 +0000 http://www.facultyfocus.com/?p=39248#comment-9730 Very well stated. This is perhaps, an example of what it means to make "the journey the thing." Very well stated. This is perhaps, an example of what it means to make "the journey the thing."

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