Gen X learners preferences

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What kind of learning styles is best for the Gen X's? It seems that our hospital wants to put everything on the computer as eLearning and it is already getting old. I don't have time to sit at the computer at work to complete required education. Give me a day away and a lecture. What does everyone else think>

Specializes in Ortho, Med surg and L&D.
What kind of learning styles is best for the Gen X's? It seems that our hospital wants to put everything on the computer as eLearning and it is already getting old. I don't have time to sit at the computer at work to complete required education. Give me a day away and a lecture. What does everyone else think>

Hello,

Gen X or Generation Y, (also known as the "millenials?) Gen Y has hit the workforce now and generation Xers are middle-aged, (proud to be one!)

Generation Y: They've arrived at work with a new attitude link to article

http://www.usatoday.com/money/workplace/2005-11-06-gen-y_x.htm

Gen-(xer)

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I'm a Gen-X-er and i LOVE the computer-based learning modules. Even if they aren't quality it is usually more efficient for me to complete versus driving to work, parking, walking a mile and a half, sitting through "let's go around the room and introduce ourselves" and then driving home again. of course, i like to have actual classroom experiences for hands-on courses (ENPC, TNCC, ACLS, PALS, etc)

I think the Baby-boomer generation prefers to have an actual classroom environment.

And the generation after Gen-X (Gen-Y or Millenials, i think) probably would prefer to have the course text messaged to their cell/palm/etc.

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Specializes in LTC.

There was a good article in Imprint, the journal I get as a member of the NSNA, called "Understanding the Generational Gaps: Preserving your Mental Health at School and Work". It came out in Sep/Oct 2006, p.72-75, if anybody wants to get it through interlibrary loan.

The Gen X'ers, according to this article, are those born between 1960 and 1980. We are supposedly like the following:

-Interested in ourselves

-Expect to share ideas

-Expect our innovations to be adopted

-Have high expectations of acceptance and success

-Respond well to praise and feedback

-Need to know how we are doing so we can correct flaws

-View education as an investment

-Expect "part-owner" role in educational institution

-Do not value "boss role" including that of faculty

-Eagerness to be part of learning team not disrespectful, just a way to reach outcomes

-Find meetings intolerable

-View classes as another form of meeting

-Act to meet outcome of passing test; class attendance optional

-Find clinical competence stressful since outcomes and evaluation ambiguous

-Frustrated with repetition and redundancy like care plans and charting

The Millennials (Nexters) born between 1980 & 2000 are supposed to love computers, it's like a pencil to them.

I don't know if this fits? Folks in my class are frustrated with those computer modules, too.

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I am a Gen-Xer. It really depends on the material and if I think it is worth my time and energy. I don't find the idea of staff education repulsive, however I don't like having no choice in what educational material I have to participate in. Give me a list of topics that are relevant to ICU, such as hypothermia protocol, sepsis, drug therapies. I would gladly do those.

For me, it isn't really the style of presentation, but the content. However,

if you expect me to learn something that requires psycho-motor skills, I need to do it. Reading about it, or having it shown to me in a lecture won't cut it. I also abhor having someone read power-point slides to me. I have been reading on my own since I was 3. Leave me alone with the hand out and then let me take the test. Thank you, and have a nice day.

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, ER.

Used to be that I was at the tail end of the Baby Boomers (1964) but someone up and changed my status and now I'm an early Gen X'er. Oh the role-change stress!

Seriously, I've been a 'puter geek since my first 1200 baud modem (remember those!) and for the basic annual mandatories, put 'em on the puter please! I just did my 2007's a couple days ago. Took me about 45 minutes to do 20 of them. They've actually made them shorter and easier than the '06 versions!

They SAY we can do them on work time but I have yet to see a nightshift in the ER when I have time to sit down and do these things. Give me a break. I'm happy if I have time to pee.

For the heavy duty stuff though, ACLS, PALS etc, I absolutely want the class in a classroom setting. I can do without the silly questions over and over, the off-topic discussions and the waiting for the slow ones to "get it" but I'm getting paid anyway, so I get out of it everything I can.

Doing my BSN online now and guess what half my work is? Posting on discussion boards. Gee, like that's tough for me LOL. Just have to transfer a little of my Allnurses time to the school boards. Kinda got a kick out of that.

I DO think that we're going to see more and more hospitals go to the computer modules for basic mandatories, simply because the cost is so much less. They don't have to pay you if you do it at home, you're not getting OT if you do it during your shift, they don't have to have instructors to actually conduct a class, etc. It's another way to cut costs AND provide computer proof that you've done the training so when you miss something on that shift where you never got to even pee, they can point to it and say "you were trained and told you had to do this!".

On a side note, we just finished accreditation inspections, and now there's a lovely mandatory meeting next week so they can beat us up over anything that got dinged. Looking forward to THAT . Xanax anyone?

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

i prefer elearning for routine material: can save info on my computer and go back and reference as necessary instead of another pile of papers sitting in my crammed file cabinet.

one doesn't get from e-learning the sense of excitment and empowerment that can sweep through an audience when attending a dynamic speakers presentation. so a balance of both is needed.

just what your looking for:

intop.gif

number 2: may 31: the multigenerational workforce: boomers and xers and nets, oh my!

  1. integrating generational perspectives in nursing (weston, m.) may 31, 2006
  2. leading a multigenerational nursing workforce: issues, challenges and strategies (sherman, r.) may 31, 2006

  3. addressing multigenerational conflict: mutual respect and carefronting as strategy (kupperschmidt, b.) may 31, 2006

  4. adapting your teaching to accommodate the net generation of learners (skiba, d., barton, a.) may 31, 2006

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Specializes in Ortho, Med surg and L&D.
...

And the generation after Gen-X (Gen-Y or Millenials, i think) probably would prefer to have the course text messaged to their cell/palm/etc.

Hi AM-RN,

I am at the opposite end of the X spectrum than you, I was born the year after and it started, (our generation either was born between 1965-1976 or identifies there) seems that the Millenials are also called the "Echo-boomers" too. From the link I listed above they claim that generations are not longer really 15 year span, due to rapid changes, but are around 10 or so...? Go figure.

Gen

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