Cleared for Arrival: GenZ is Landing in Our College Classrooms
Presented during Session 5: Educating Students in Aviation
Abstract
As the last members of the Millennial generation crosses the stage at graduation and enters the workforce, members of the next generation (GenZ, iGen) are on short final to land into college classrooms. Defined as those born between 1996-2010, this generation outnumbers the previous generation, the Millennials, by one million making them the biggest generation in the U.S.
While there are similarities with the Millennial generation, there are also marked differences. GenZers grew up in a technological environment that was ‘always on’ and have been profoundly impacted by the advances of technology. In a recent study, 35.5% admit to spending 6-10 hours a day on their mobile devices and 13% check their phone every few seconds. This generation is used to having information at their fingertips and opportunities to learn from a plethora of online sources.
GenZers come to college with a focus on learning and acquiring the skills necessary for their future careers. They refuse to be passive learners and expect to be fully immersed in the learning process. Instructional strategies used in the past need to be modified in order to educate and effectively prepare this new generational cohort for advancement into the aviation industry. Participants in this session will learn about those strategies, based in neuroscience and educational psychology, found to be effective in teaching, engaging and ensuring transferability of knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary in aviation.
Cleared for Arrival: GenZ is Landing in Our College Classrooms
Jim W. Henderson Administration & Welcome Center (Bldg. #602)
As the last members of the Millennial generation crosses the stage at graduation and enters the workforce, members of the next generation (GenZ, iGen) are on short final to land into college classrooms. Defined as those born between 1996-2010, this generation outnumbers the previous generation, the Millennials, by one million making them the biggest generation in the U.S.
While there are similarities with the Millennial generation, there are also marked differences. GenZers grew up in a technological environment that was ‘always on’ and have been profoundly impacted by the advances of technology. In a recent study, 35.5% admit to spending 6-10 hours a day on their mobile devices and 13% check their phone every few seconds. This generation is used to having information at their fingertips and opportunities to learn from a plethora of online sources.
GenZers come to college with a focus on learning and acquiring the skills necessary for their future careers. They refuse to be passive learners and expect to be fully immersed in the learning process. Instructional strategies used in the past need to be modified in order to educate and effectively prepare this new generational cohort for advancement into the aviation industry. Participants in this session will learn about those strategies, based in neuroscience and educational psychology, found to be effective in teaching, engaging and ensuring transferability of knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary in aviation.
