1. Generational differences

The topic of generational differences has been the subject of much debate. The authors don´t

seem to agree on the labels that should be used or the span of years to be assigned to each

generation (Reeves & Oh, 2008). However, many authors such as Berk (2009) acknowledge that

“…there is legitimacy to suggesting a set of characteristics and cultural trends derived from

sound scientific research that can guide future teaching practices...” (p.2)

Therefore, our challenge is to identify what characterizes our new generation of students and

which emerging cultural trends are prone to make an impact in the future of education. Being

able to identify our generational standing point and what we take for granted is also vital if we

are to innovate education for, as Sir Ken Robinson stated, “the great problem of transformation

is the tyranny of common sense”.

1.1 What is a generation? According to Howe & Strauss (2000), a generation is defined as the aggregate of all people born

over a span of roughly twenty years that share three criteria in common:

Therefore, it can be concluded that generations are shaped much more by history

than by chronological dates.

Historical context

they encounter key historical events and social trends while occupying the same phase of life

• Similar behaviors including basic attitudes about risk taking, culture and values,

civic engagement, family life

• Membership a sense of common perceived membership in that generation

In their seminal book, Generations, Howe & Strauss (1992) have identified a recurring

generational cycle in American history. They have found a sequence of four

generational archetypes—which they call Prophet, Nomad, Hero, and Artist. Their 1997

book, The four turnings, expands on the theory, focusing on a fourfold cycle of generational

types and recurring mood eras in American history known as high, awakening, unraveling

and crisis.

This generational theory is mainly related to American history and even though many

episodes are referred to as having a very direct effect in the rest of the world, there are

some instances where the model cannot be applied as it is (Hole et al. 2010). For more

information on this generational theory check the LifeCourse Associates website

http://www.lifecourse.com/about/method/insight-overview.html and the authors’ 2007

article, The next 20 years. A brief generational comparison is also provided on the

following page.

Other Names Main Events Main Traits Personalities

GI Generation 1902-1924 88+

World War I

Women

suffrage

Formality

Uniformity

Cooperative

Public interest

over self

John Kennedy

Ronald Reagan

Walt Disney

Willy Brandt

Leonid Brezhnev

Silent 1925-1942 70-87

Traditionalists

Matures

Veterans

World War II

Great

Depression

Respect for

authority

Loyalty

Hard-work

Woody Allen

Martin Luther

King Jr.

Elvis Presley

Anne Frank

Baby Boomer 1943-1960 52-69

Boom

Generation

Civil Rights

Women´s

liberation

Cold war

TV

Explore

Optimistic

Work-centric

Bill Clinton

Steve Jobs

Robin Williams

Tony Blair

Other Names Main Events Main Traits Personalities

Gen X 1961-1981 31-51

13 Generation

Generation Xers

Generation X

Gen-Xers

Vietnam

Watergate

Individualistic

Flexible

Skeptical of

authority

Barack Obama

Sarah Palin

Tom Cruise

Michael Jordan

Princess Di

Millennial 1982-2004 8-30

Generation Y

Echo Boomer

NetGen

Generation Next

Aids

Technology

Tech-savvy

Family-centric

Realistic

Mark Zuckerberg

LeBron James

Miley Cyrus

Prince William

Justin Bieber

Homelander 2005- 7 or less

Post Millennial

Generation Z

9-11

Iraq and

Afghanistan

Wars

Market Crash

Mistrust in

political system

Always

connected

Multitaskers

1. 2 Millenials

Berk (2009) lists ten different names given to the millennial generation and gives their

rationales. Although the different terms have been coined for specific reasons, we will treat

them as synonyms.

1. 2. 1 Millenials Characterized

The net generation can be described as follows:

Smart

• Experiential

• Practical

• Pressured and achieving

• Personalization customization of content

Networked

• Team-oriented

•Collaboration

• Embrace diversity

• Emotionally open

• Feedback dependent

Creative

•Confident

•Open-minded

• Innovative

• Flexible

•Adaptable

Wired

•Multitaskers

•Gamers

•Digital natives

• Tech Savvy

•Need for speed and instant gratification

What are the preconceptions based on these characteristics?

For example:

• gamers: everything is boring unless it is gamified.

• multitaskers: very short attention span, can´t concentrate

1

By the way, how Millennial are you? Take the quiz and find out!

http://www.pewresearch.org/quiz/how-millennial-are-you/

1. 2. 1 Millenials Questioned

Some authors such as DiLullo (2011) state that Millennials have not been properly

characterized. This author argues that the characteristics presented previously are mostly

opinions based on observation and surveys rather than on evidence-based analysis.

Others like Twenge (2006) provide less positive traits to characterize the Net Generation.

She mentions depression, loneliness and isolation, stress on college, career and

economics, growth of externality, less likelihood to believing in moral absolutes and taking

sex lightly.

2. Conclusion

The purpose of this module has been to reflect on:

• what characterizes our new generation of students

• which emerging cultural trends are prone to make an impact in the future of education.

• identifying our generational standing point

Take some time to reflect on this topic and write your conclusions.

Berk, R. A. (2009). Teaching strategies for the net generation. Transformative Dialogues:

Teaching & Learning Journal, 3(2), 1-23. Retrieved from:

http://www.ronberk.com/articles/2009_strategies.pdf

Reeves, T. C., & Oh, E. J. (2008). Do generational differences matter in instructional design.

In Instructional Technology Forum. Retrieved from:

http://itforum.coe.uga.edu/AECT_ITF_PDFS/paper104.pdf

Consider for example the figure 1 on page 3 which summarizes the generational labels and

dates reported in different sources.

Robinson, K. (2010). Sir Ken Robinson: Bring on the learning revolution![Video file].

http://www.ted.com/talks/sir_ken_robinson_bring_on_the_revolution.html

1. Generational differences

Hole, D., Zhong, L., & Schwartz, J. (2010). Talking about whose generation? Why Western

generational models can't account for a global workforce. Deloitte Review, 6, 84-97.

http://www.deloitte.com/view/en_US/us/Services/additional-services/talent-human-capital-

hr/5d6e2bb18ef26210VgnVCM100000ba42f00aRCRD.htm

Consider the figure 1 on page 88 which gives a global generation overview.

Howe, N., & Strauss, W. (1992). Generations: The history of America's future, 1584 to 2069.

HarperCollins.

Strauss, W. (1997). The fourth turning. Random House Digital, Inc..

Howe, N., & Strauss, W. (2007). The next 20 years. Harvard Business Review,85, 41-52.

Retrieved from:

http://www.saeculumresearch.com/assets/client-assets/files/selected-pubs/HBR-Next-20-

Years.pdf

Howe, N., & Strauss, W. (2009). Millennials rising: The next great generation.

Random House Digital, Inc.

1.1 What is a generation?

Reeves, T. C., & Oh, E. (2007). Generational differences. Handbook of research on educational

communications and technology, 295-303. Retrieved from:

http://faculty.ksu.edu.sa/Alhassan/Hand%20book%20on%20research%20in%20educational%20

communication/ER5849x_C025.fm.pdf

http://thedoorcf.org/uploads/GenerationalCharacteristics.pdf

http://www.lifecourse.com/about/method/the-generational-constellation.html

1.1 What is a generation? Brief generational comparison

Berk, R. A. (2009). Teaching strategies for the net generation. Transformative Dialogues:

Teaching & Learning Journal, 3(2), 1-23. Retrieved from:

http://www.ronberk.com/articles/2009_strategies.pdf

1.2 Millennials

Sweeney, R. (2006). Millennial behaviors and demographics. Retrieved from:

http://certi.mst.edu/media/administrative/certi/documents/Article-Millennial-Behaviors.pdf

Howe, N., & Strauss, W. (2007). Millennials go to college. Great Falls, VA: LifeCourse

Associates. An executive summary can be retrieved from: http://eubie.com/millennials.pdf

Tapscott, D. (2009). Grown up digital (Vol. 361). New York: McGraw-Hill.

An executive summary can be retrieved from: http://media.economist.com/media/pdf/grown-

up-digital-tapscott-e.pdf

Berk, R. A. (2009). Teaching strategies for the net generation. Transformative Dialogues:

Teaching & Learning Journal, 3(2), 1-23. Retrieved from:

http://www.ronberk.com/articles/2009_strategies.pdf

1. 2. 1 Millenials Characterized

DiLullo, C., McGee, P., Kriebel, R.M. 2011. Demystifying the Millennial Student: A

Reassessment in Measures of Character and Engagement in Professional Education

http://oai.wsu.edu/Teaching_Resources/teaching_millennial_students/DiLullo-2011-

Millennial-student.pdf

Twenge, Jean M. Generation me: Why today's young Americans are more confident,

assertive, entitled--and more miserable than ever before. Simon and Schuster, 2006.

Abstract

http://ttosspon.wikispaces.com/file/view/REview_GenerationMe.pdf/231400618/REview_G

enerationMe.pdf

1.2 Millennials questioned