Are we faced with a new brand of student?
Many instructors have commented that students have changed over the past few years. An increase in inappropriate classroom behavior was noted at the inservice on student behavior this spring, and staff concern was demonstrated by the overwhelming attendance at the inservice. Several preceptors have told us that recent practicum students need more handholding, even in programs where our entry level marks are high. Poorer attendance, a more negative attitude and a higher expectation that they be spoon fed and “entertained” can be frustrating for educators. Have students really changed, and if so, why?
We are now getting the first wave of students who have grown up totally in the Information Age. Having always been exposed to computers and digital media they are used to being bombarded with a lot of information and a lot of stimulation. This “Nintendo” generation of thinkers are used to doing a lot more trial and error learning as opposed to using critical thinking skills. They are exposed to a wide breadth of information but very little depth (e.g. newscasts now work on 10 second sound bites).
Cell phones, chat lines, internet games – all recent trends that promote constant interaction, multitasking and immediate gratification -do not train the student to spend the quality, focused, extended time required to investigate and resolve problems or synthesize information.
This is also the first generation where the majority of the population has lost connection with their agricultural roots. The importance of hard work and self sufficiency are no longer the ideals that guide our society. At least in Alberta the current student has grown up in optimistic times. Many have never had to struggle through hardships. We, as parents, have overindulged our children by providing lots of material goods and organizing their lives with many extracurricular activities. Our children are so comfortable, in fact, that they are extending their adolescence by living at home longer and continuing to depend on parents for lodging and food well into their 20’s … and they are completely okay with that. High expectations for brand name clothes, cars and entertainment mean that many students have multiple hour jobs while attending NAIT.
Academically most high school English teachers will tell you that reading and writing levels are lower out of Grade 12 than they were 10 years ago. Students can communicate with sophisticated text messaging codes (WUCIWUG – What you see is what you get) which require memory and creativity but do not require grammar or writing skills. Students do not see English as a priority compared to math and science and they do not have a firm understanding of the basics as they have grown up relying on calculators, spell check and grammar check.
Student emphasis is often on getting through school to make money, not on gaining knowledge or skills. Knowledge is no longer viewed as the way to gain power. Current students expect things to become obsolete and knowledge to change. Their sense of reality is less concrete than in the past. For example we look at a photo and expect it to be an exact image; today’s student knows digital imaging doesn’t necessarily represent reality.
Things have also become much more informal in our society – dress codes, communication styles (voice mails, e-mails), and rules of conduct are looser. Sports, movie and music stars are role models as opposed to educators and political leaders.
Careers in and of themselves are no longer a high priority. Lifestyle and having the money to lead that lifestyle is. This group of students have watched mom and dad follow the 9 to 5 til 65/ loyal to the company route and then get either laid off or live under constant stress. They are cynical about job security and not likely to have the same loyalty to the company. They are also more apathetic about world events and don’t see themselves as making a difference.
Of course I am grossly over generalizing. There are many wonderful, dedicated and hardworking students. Because current students are used to constant change they may adjust better to ambiguity than previous generations, and bring new creativity to the classroom and to the workforce. But we may also need to adjust our methods of teaching.
((article by Margaret Marean as printed in the NASA Intercom, Dec. 2004. Margaret can be contacted at )