2.4: The students you will be teaching
Characteristics of Gen Z Learners
Activity:
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We have heard a lot about Millennials (born 1981-1996) and all of the characteristics that go along with this group. However, most students entering college these days are considered Generation Z (Gen Z). Gen Z is loosely defined as anyone born between 1996 and 2015, “…this group makes up a quarter of the U.S. population and by 2020 will account for 40% of all consumers,” (Finch, 2015, np). Gen Z are currently between 4-24 years old (nearly 74 million in U.S.) and it’s safe to say will make up a majority of students in your future classrooms.
This cohort has grown up post 9/11 and in a world of terrorism, recession, racial unrest, corporate scandals and financial insecurity. They have never known a world without access to internet technology and have grown up with iPads and iPhones in their hands. They have the background knowledge to be experienced with digital literacy, but likely do not practice caution in their digital media use. Even though Gen Z spends a lot of time on social media, they seem to be pretty good at deciphering true from false information in record time. Fast Company suggests “Generation Z spends a lot of time on social media… they can sniff out canned or insincere messages in seconds”. Your Gen Z students expect honesty and straightforward responses, and are often determined to gain these responses, even if they aren’t forthcoming.
Supplemental resources:
Activity:
Using the characteristics of Gen Z and the supplemental resources, create a learning activity that you believe would engage Gen Z students. Prepare to share this activity with other class members. Do they believe this activity would be helpful? What suggestions might they have to improve the activity you have outlined?