Have you ever looked out at your student filled classroom to see that half are paying attention? Are they taking notes on their tablets or laptops? Don't be fooled! A close look may reveal facebook scrolling or Amazon-buying. Social media is integral to this generation's community experience.
That realization brings an understanding of their preference for a text message to a face-to-face encounter.
There is nothing wrong with social media. We do enjoy looking at baby pictures of our high school and college friends. And what does our Ex look like now? Day-to-day personal and work routines of banking, ordering goods, and emailing have thrown us right into the middle of the digital age. Our families keep in touch through texting or facetime. And we look everything up online. Times have changed!
Connecting with our millennial students' means, like it or not, we have to get on board with digital communication.
Expanding within the digital environment sets these students apart, as does a lack of confidence. Millennial students who perceive life as stressful rely heavily on their previously hovering parents or guardians to help them navigate life's challenges. As a result, the autonomous nature of the nursing profession and the emphasis on the responsibility of decision-making that can impact lives is difficult for them.
Understanding this is crucial to recognize stress and anxiety which can inhibit learning.
Millennial students are ambitious, optimistic, gravitate towards working in teams, conventional and need to feel important. Expressions of appreciation gain of these students' attention as do small recognitions.
We might have to start giving them a pat on the back for coming to class on time!
Other ways faculty can show they appreciate their millennial students
Learn and call them by name (you won't remember them, that's what seating charts are for)
Introduce yourself on the first day of class (don't assume they know who you are!)
Clearly outline your expectations (these students are very concrete thinkers) - give them specific rubrics and firm due dates
Provide a lot of feedback (oral and written)
Don't criticize in front of the class (you shouldn't do this with anyone)
Millennials tend towards skepticism. After all, their parents were baby boomers who didn't trust anyone over 30! Review how you present the information. What worked with older generations simply won't work with this crowd.
Nursing faculty must gain student trust, helping them become accountable individuals that collaborate in the learning process.
Tried and true instructional methods for millennials
Give them questions and scenarios that relate to the real world as they understand it
Have students share their research with classmates
Encourage working in small groups to solve problems
Ask for their help (Millennials are helpers in the strongest sense of the word)
Utilize all types of learning in the classroom (don't shy away from hands-on practice and demonstration)
Give nursing students in upper-level courses the opportunity to engage in service-learning
Millennials are diversity sensitive. 21st-century American universities and colleges have greater inclusivity. Depending on where you teach, specific unique cultural or ethnic considerations may need to be incorporated into the classroom. They are adaptable to change so long as it is fair and clearly defined. Tolerant of differences, they may appreciate your personal quirks but they expect you to do the same for them.
Working with a classroom full of Millennials isn't easy. Understanding how they differ from you and your colleagues lends to successfully bringing them to the graduation finish line.
Lynch, M. (2016). Top four ways to engage millennials in learning environments. The
EdAdvocate. Retrieved from: https://www.theedadvocate.org/top-four-ways-to-
engage-millennials-in-learning-environments/
