One of the biggest differences between the generations lies in the area of technology. Younger generations have grown up with it, while older generations have had to adjust to it, in middle age or even later. Consequently, you may encounter challenges when dealing with technology in the classroom. While most people do have access to a computer as of 2011, you cannot assume that everyone in your class is knowledgeable in the various programs and applications. An assignment that calls for use of a computer might stump older students, while seeming like no big deal to younger students.
Students born between 1981 and 2001 often want instant feedback---to know right now how they're doing. However, older generations may desire more space to complete assignments. With multiple generations in your classroom, you may struggle to find a balance. Too much feedback could seem crowding to a student, while not enough might leave him discouraged and assuming the teacher doesn't care about him.
Learning style varies by individual student, but it can also vary among the generations. Many students might prefer the style with which they were raised. Younger students tend to rely on the Internet and other quick methods for learning, while older students might feel more comfortable with a textbook and time to go in-depth with a topic. Some might be visual learners. Others might be auditory learners. Thus, you might need to query your students to see what styles work best for them, and try to formulate an approach that suits all generations and styles.
The student's age in relation to the teacher's age can lead to automatic respect or automatic distrust. For example, students might feel a kinship with someone close to their age. They might like similar TV shows, listen to the same music, wear similar fashion styles and know the same slang. If the teacher is older than the students, that could garner an automatic respect. But what if the teacher is younger than a student? If a 40-year-old student is in a classroom with a 25-year-old teacher, the teacher may have to work to earn the student's respect. The older student might be distrustful of the teacher's knowledge, wondering, "What does she really know about the world?" Additionally, if the teacher bonds with the students closer to her age, the older student might feel like the teacher is excluding him, likely because of his age.