Every few years someone comes along and tried to define the current generation. My Generation was Gen X. There have been several generations since then to be sure. Today I would like to define the current generation of my students. Generation S.
Why S?
The generation I am referring to covers the late 90's to today. They have never lived without an internet. The result is that they are defined by the fact that they have never lived without Social Media, Streaming Video, or Satellite Television. They are unlikely to ever know or have to deal with Social Security. They do not phone they SMS or Skype. When they want information, music, reading material, homework help, or pizza they don't need to ask anyone, they Search.
What Gen S means to teachers...
Gen S will...
- post, tweet, or otherwise publicly discuss their lives and you.
- ignore the books which you hand out in favor of a searchable, easily manipulable, media rich multiple source website.
- read more in a day than most adults.
- read and write in fragmented but interwoven short prose.
- read at a complexity level far higher than our current testing procedures cover.
- think in webs and linkages, as thought thoughts "friend" other thoughts.
- expect instant relevant feedback.
- handle the frustration of waiting with grace.
- have native exposure to grammar and spelling through their sources of reading.
- feel secure and safe when limited media sources or cell service are available.
In the dawn of electricity, we feared the dark. In the dawn of information, we fear disconnection.
- be held back.
The Good News is that good teaching really hasn't changed much, only the tools of delivery.
- The local fourth grade assigns reading for 15 minutes a day and then asks students to make a concept web of what they read-
- Gen S version-Read Social Media or RSS Feeds for 15 minutes, then turn the web of what you read into prose.
- A high school teacher assigns a timeline
- Gen S version-Assign a Twhistory
- A Teacher posts work to a website
- Gen S version-post to a twitter or other RSS feed.
Wanna assign a book-do it, and make the e version available.
How NOT to Cope with Gen S
A) Don't tell them to put their cell phones away, disconnection is one of their biggest turn offs (if not THE biggest). Tell them to keep them out. How many times do I hear teachers lament the lack of computer access in their schools when a large number of their students have handheld computing devices set to silent or cricket mode as they pretend not to use them.If they don't have phones, no problem. Put students in to groups and have the ones without phones be the recorders and reporters who have to turn what the phone wielders find into deliverable material.
Example-Bell ringer assignment:
Describe the relationship between Genghis Khan and yogurt in 3 sentences. Provide sources for your answer.
B) Don't give too many fixed ended assignments. The answers can be easily looked up. Instead temper fixed assignments with choice assignments which have connections.
Example-Math problem set:
Choose 6 of the 10 problems to do, then write four similar new problems and solve them. Finally write a single sentence description of the key idea you have been practicing in this problem set.
C) Don't completely go high tech. Create opportunities to go old school.
Example-Form an arguement
Tell students there is a debate on bringing faster better internet service to your area. The city council will accept written arguments only. Choose a side and write an argument.
Example-Reasons to see the world
Take 10 pictures of your school, town or surrounding area. Create a print collage for display.
Good Luck Teacher's with our Gen S friends.
