Teaching with Millennial Students
We are amenable to the conclusive idea that this present generation of students is the most challenging to handle. Some refer to this millennial student as egoistic, self-centered, self-entitled, hard headed, unruly kind of young people. Perhaps, as it is with anything else, there are two sides of the coin.
Millennial students are not in any way comparable to the 80’s, 90’s, Gen x, Gen Z or the boomers. They are uniquely different fashion, food, hobbies, music and character. They are becoming more expressive, assertive, sensitive of their own feeling but not of others, defensive of their territories but invade that of others. These students are well-versed of their rights and that is primarily the reason why teachers and the authority in general cannot impose disciplinary actions to erring and unruly students.
So now, how can teachers effectively deliver the lessons to the students is a real challenge. “Student-centered” approach opts teachers to study each individual’s behavior no matter how diverse it may be. Teachers cannot shame them, nor terrorize them. No. Just a hairline between disciplining and major human rights violation.
Today’s generation are far off different. We can start with RESPECT. Give me due respect and you’ll earn mine. The classroom is not my territory nor anybody else’s. We come here to meet and greet, learn together and enhance our opinions and ideas. The best approach is to blend in with them. To be an integral of their learning is to learn with them. Be one like them. Not necessarily to be like them but to see from their point-of view. Waken their enthusiasm by encouraging them to discover new frontiers other than what they usually see. Comparing them with the previous generations is a big stomp to their egos. Therefore, it is a good move to refrain ourselves from committing that blunder.
Integrating past experiences and not-so-distant history thru lectures and symposiums will be effective tools to bridge the generation gnawing. Real Life exposures, unadulterated field studies and uncontrolled social experiments are highly educational- practicability wise.
Techies as they are called, social platforms have lured plenty, if not most, of our millennial students that we could only shake our heads in big disappointment. But if we can convert these media into powerful tools to reach them, that would be a tremendous impact. Millennials only wanted to be recognized as a unique generation but we see them as rebellious youngsters. This is not all about any generations. The cycle will go on as it was with us. This generation will come to pass and a new will spring forth. But if we sow good seeds today, this generation can produce themselves good fruits in their due time.