Innovations in education propel some students toward success while stymieing others. A trainer or professor must offer a mix of delivery systems so students can decide whether they want to listen to streaming material from websites or CDs or download lectures onto MP3 players, according to the American Society For Training And Development. Some students are more comfortable with webinars and live chat forums. A successful instructor stays abreast of all tools and anticipates coaching students who are unfamiliar with some technologies.
Effective teaching requires educators to rely on different leadership techniques and styles. Traditionalists dislike feeling placed on the spot while Boomers crave attention and praise, notes educator Peggy Blake Gleeson from Texas Woman's University. Generation X-ers demand direct and truthful dialogue. Millennials want instructors to know substantially more than their students. One technique is for the instructor to invite guest presenters who represent different generations. This builds credibility with students who are significantly older or younger than the teacher.
Multiple learning platforms work well with different generations. Older students prefer live classroom sessions where dialogue and participation are crucial. Younger classmates want learning technologies that allow them to study at their convenience. Blend both worlds by offering in-class training that is supplemented with web-based systems that are compatible with portable devices, such as cell phones or personal digital assistants (PDAs). For classes offered only via the Internet, the teacher must ensure his availability by telephone so students feel the collaborative impact.
A knowledgeable facilitator adjusts her communication style to match different generational expectations. She begins by using the first class for introductions so she can assess students' communication styles and comfort level with technologies. A web-based instructor often picks up on her students' ages by their typing styles, such as older students writing in full sentences and younger people adopting condensed words, such as "u" for "you." This early identification gives the teacher the opportunity to demonstrate respect for different preferences and reinforce the importance of inclusion.