The Educational Process on the Generation Y Students - Research Paper Example

Running Head: Meeting the Needs of Millennial (Gen Y) in Higher Education Meeting the Needs of Millennial (Gen Y) in Higher Education Customer Inserts His/her Name University Name Abstract Traditional methods of teaching are not enough to fulfill the needs of the generation Y students. New and innovative methods like participative learning and team based learning must be promoted in class rooms. Also technology has an important role to play in high school education as millennial generation is more inclined towards computers and internet. Other trends like financial independence and self employment are also seen in the generation Y students and universities should try to design their curriculum according to these needs. Introduction There has been great research on the subject of new generation education needs. The technological and sociological changes have influenced greatly upon the educational needs of millennial students. Internet has been the main influence on the educational process on the Generation Y students. Their needs are very different from older generations and educators have been trying to find how they can meet the needs of millennial students. In this paper we will review some existing literature and identify the gaps that exist in the researches done on identifying and meeting the needs of millennial students in higher education. Later in the paper personal perspective will be given on the issue of meeting the needs of higher education students. Synthesis of Literature It is very important to first and foremost identify the needs of higher education students of Generation Y students. Much work in done in this regard as student needs are not only important for educational needs but also for business purposes. It is very important for universities and college to assess the needs of students and fulfill them in order to attract more and more students. New methods are being employed in universities in order to facilitate learning. The use of technology is one of the most basic improvements in educational facilities in the past decade or so. The infusion of technology is considered necessary in order to fulfill the requirements of millennial students as they belong to the information age (Dede, C. 2004). Computer technology is being made available to the students on campuses. Universities invest heavily on computers and internet because for young students these technologies have become a part of life and without it learning process cannot continue. Wireless internet services are now part of almost every university. This should be seen as an attempt by higher education institutions to meet the needs of millennial students. Universities are not only investing in computer technology and internet but they are also using these technologies to facilitate learning. New learning styles are being used by universities in order to ensure that students are using these technologies to the best of their advantage. These technologies have made young students active seekers of knowledge (Dede, C. 2004) and teachers use computers and internet to develop new teaching styles that are closer to young student’s needs. Teachers now use video conferencing and multimedia in class rooms. This helps students better understand the topics. Web based exercises are also used to develop the interest of the students. Universities have now found out that in order to motivate students to learn technology is to be incorporated not only on campuses but in the teaching styles as well. This infusion of technology is definitely a very good step in meeting the needs of students in universities. Educational institutes will also have to prepare themselves for future as well. Virtual learning environments will be the next step in education where physical classrooms will not exist. This has already started but in future wide scale use of this technology will be seen. So universities should also prepare for the future needs of the students. All this will be necessary in future in order to attract students in near future. Some research work has identified need of employment for higher education students. Generation Y students are very interested in getting the jobs they want. This has been identified as a need for students in the universities. Another inclination of students of the ‘technology’ age is towards entrepreneurship. They do not want to follow the traditional path their predecessors used to walk. They want to start their own business and be more independent. There are many factors that have contributed to this trend. One major factor identified in the research is the students have great role models today to look up to (Collins, Hannon & Smith, 2004). The changing business environment is a major reason because for this changing trend. With the development of internet and computer technologies many organizations have earned huge amounts of profits and many individuals have earned a fortune. This attracts the students and they feel more inclined to start their own businesses. The unstable situation of job market is also given as a reason for more and more students wanting to start their own firms (Collins, Hannon & Smith, 2004). Students believe that growth in traditional jobs is not great. They believe that in order to grow they will have to look for self employment. This attitude is growing in the youth now a day. For this reasons universities have to revamp their curriculum in order to meet the needs of students. Courses on entrepreneurship should be included in order to prepare students for future. Universities are now including more entrepreneurial programs for students and training in being provided to them, but more should be done in this regard. Educational institutions should build networks with entrepreneurs and can call them to share their first hand information with the students. This will help students get the information they desire. Research has also been done on the expectations of students specifically when they enter universities. This is an important area as needs of students are very important to cater to for the satisfaction of students. As mentioned above the expectations of millennial students are different from the older generations. One thing identified in the research is that most students are looking for work during their education in universities and they like to earn at a very early stage (Crisp et.al, 2009). This shows the needs of the millennial students and how they are different from previous generation. This trend has been increasing every day as students are trying to get more and more independent. Students when getting admitted to the admission also feel that lectures are important for their development and success (Crisp et.al, 2009). Also students have expectations that they will study long hours. Actually the motivation level of students in first year students is very high and they want to study. These findings have important implications for school administrations. It was also seen that in first year students self responsibility is high. They think that they are starting a new life and that is why they should work as hard as possible in order to make their lives successful. Students early in universities also have high expectations from their teachers and feel that teachers have an important role to play in life. Another important dimension in high school education is the new learning styles teachers have developed in order to increase the participation of students in the process of learning. The method of role play was found to be very effective in conceptually developing students (Beidatsch & Broomhall, 2010). This technique is also liked by students and they tend to enjoy role play learning. Universities have found that the same old methods of teaching are now futile and generation Y needs motivation to learn. This can only be provided if studies are made interesting as per the wishes of students. That is why role play techniques have been employed in universities and they are getting great results. Role play technique is helpful because it creates a simulation of reality in the classrooms and this makes students learn and remember the lecture for a longer period of time (Beidatsch & Broomhall, 2010). Also if students are included in a role play their fellow students will find the lecture interesting and they will focus in the class rooms. This is the idea behind promoting role play in high schools. Students, when in a role play, give their own perspective of the concept and because of this variety of opinions are given in the class. This often leads to debate and increase student involvement. This in turn facilitates learning. This is also one step taken by universities in order to meet the needs of the millennial students. They are being exposed not only to technologies but to different exercises like role plays. This helps students retain what they have learned in the class rooms and provides teachers with an opportunity to make lectures interesting and participative. Another teaching method that is employed for the generation Y students is cooperative learning (Farrell & Farrell, 2008). Cooperative learning is team based learning. Students are divided into groups and they work in these groups. This is a very interesting way to teaching as it makes student learn how to function in organizations and teach them how to be accountable to their fellow group members (Farrell & Farrell, 2008). Educators have realized that needs of students are changing and in order to pass knowledge to the young generation new and innovative methods must be employed. Traditional teaching methods are no good for millennial students and therefore methods like cooperative learning are being introduced in universities. Students also like these methods as they find them more participative. They feel involved in the process of learning and that keeps them motivated towards education. Working in groups also helps students learn many social skills as they interact with their fellow students. This two folded effect of cooperative learning is what that makes this process desirable to students and teachers. Cooperative learning also improves communication and interpersonal skills in students (Farrell & Farrell, 2008). Teachers also find it easy as they do not have to give attention to every students rather they have to cater to groups of students. This new style of learning is a very good step taken by educators and is employed in many universities across the globe (Farrell & Farrell, 2008). Higher educational institutions have realized that new teaching styles are important for the new generation and that is why these new learning styles are being promoted and researched upon by educationist all over the world. They are trying very hard in order to bring their techniques in line with the needs of the young generation students. Gaps in the Research and need for Further Research The research done in order to identify the needs of high school students is mainly centered into specific geographical area. Most of the research is no done at a wide scale basis and that is why the findings are not very conclusive or objective. Small sample size is therefore one important gap in the research regarding the needs of millennial students. Another limitation of the research is that the different cultural values of students have not been taken into account. This can create a lot of difference as students from a specific cultural background may have entirely different needs from other students. This is also true for research done on different learning styles and teaching methods. Culture is an important factor and it greatly influences the students and the educators. Wide scale research is required in order to further research on how to meet the needs of the generation Y students. Samples should be taken from all the universities in a state or in a city in order to determine conclusively what the areas that educators should work upon are. Culture of students should also be taken into account when inquiring of the needs of the students or when determining the efficacy of a particular teaching method. Teachers should also be the center of attention and researchers should try to identify the problems they experience in educating young generation students. This can be very useful as all the policies and different learning styles are futile if teachers do not believe in those methods. Teachers can also give important insight as to what they think will improve the learning process of students. Different subjects may require different teaching styles and this is another important area that should be researched in future. Teaching styles and methods should be related to specific subjects and their effectiveness should be analyzed keeping this in mind. All these things have to be looked into in further research in order to throw more light on how to meet the needs of new generation students in high schools. Personal Perspective on the Issue The issue of meeting the needs of high school students is worth our attention in my opinion. The changing environment of the world and infusion of technologies in our lives has influenced greatly the younger generation. It is imperative that actions must be taken in order to improve the educational standards all over the world. If this is not done then the fast, exuberant and sharp minds of generation Y will be wasted and they will develop an aversion towards studies. This is what that makes this an important issue. Educators should try to get the insight of students regarding different practices in universities and whether students see these activities as fruitful or not. Students, in my opinion, should be treated as customers. Students should be given same importance as that is given to customers. They are actually customers who seek product of knowledge from the universities. The aim of the universities should be to satisfy students and find ways of learning that benefit and interest students. The only way to meet the needs of students in universities is by knowing what they want. Different teaching methods should be implemented as pilot projects and student reaction should be taken in order to find the most effective way of learning. The use of technology is another area which can help students a lot. Generation Y students have born in an age of technology. This is why technology should be used to increase the interest of students in the learning process. Many universities are now using technology in order to fulfill this need of students. But there are certain issues which must be sorted if appropriate results are to be elicited. The use of technology is still very limited and the technology is not used to its full potential. The use of technology is limited to computer labs and internet. It should be more than that and classrooms should be made more technologically advance. This can motivate the students greatly and enhance the process of learning. Generation Y students of higher education institutes also look for financial independence. This trend has been increasing these days. Students prefer to earn while studying and this can affect their education. Universities should try to provide students with employment opportunities on campus. This will have a two folded effect. On one hand students will satisfy their need of financial independence and on the other hand universities can also inculcate discipline in young students. Universities are seriously lacking behind in understanding this need of students. Independence is very good and earning at a young age boosts one’s self confidence in unimaginable ways. This should be encouraged and proper measures should be taken so that students can practice their desire to earn at an early age. Participative learning styles should also encouraged in universities. This is because young generation finds traditional methods of lecturing as boring. New and innovative ways of teaching is what young generation needs. This will help them better concentrate on studies and will promote a learning environment in classrooms. Similarly team based learning is also very important for younger generation. The efficacy of team based learning is great when it comes to millennial students. When grouped with their own fellows they find tasks interesting. This increases their motivation to learn. Team based learning also make students learn many important social skills. They learn how to work together like a coherent unit. This is why team based learning must be induced in educational curriculum of generation Y students. Universities should also try to teach entrepreneurship more and more to younger students. The new trend is to start up small businesses instead of working for an employer. This trend should be encouraged by universities. It is actually a requirement in the current economic situation of the world. Jobs are hard to find and the gains in regular employment are not extraordinary so entrepreneurship is being favored by young generation students. For this reason universities should included more courses in order to teach entrepreneurship to high school students. Conclusion It is very important to understand the needs of generation Y students for high schools in order to create a better learning environment in universities. Technology should be used in classrooms in order to increase motivation of high school students. Team based and participative styles of learning should also be used to interest students. Financial empowerment is also one need of millennial students and universities should try to introduce earning opportunities on campuses. All this should be done to cater to the needs of the young generation. References Beidatsch, C., & Broomhall, S. (2010). Is this the past? The place of role-play exercises in undergraduate history teaching. Journal of University Teaching & Learning Practice, 7(1), pp. 1-20. Collins, L., Hannon, P. & Smith, A. (2004). Enacting entrepreneurial intent: the gaps between student needs and higher education capability. Education and Training, 46(8), pp. 454-463. Crisp, et.al. (2009). First year student expectations: Results from a university-wide student survey. Journal of University Teaching & Learning Practice, 6(1), pp. 13-26. Dede, C. (2004). Planning for “Neomillennial” Learning Styles: Implications for Investments in Technology and Faculty. Retrieved from www.citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.119.9896 Farrell, B., & Farrell, H. (2008). Student satisfaction with cooperative learning in an Accounting curriculum. Journal of University Teaching & Learning Practice, 5(2), pp. 39-54. Read More