THE GENERATIONS

OF
LEARNERS

ASST. PROF. MA. SOCORRO M. CROOC, MSMT

 INTRODUCTION
● Consists of approximately a 20-year span
● Has a unique set of values
● Reacts to the generation before them
● Looks at their generation as the standard of
comparison
● Looks at the next generation skeptically “these kids
today…”
● Those born on the “cusp” may have a blended set
of characteristics
● They are either idealistic, reactive, civic or adaptive
Generation of learners

● Traditionalists

● Baby Boomers

● Gen X

● Gen Y

● Gen Z

● Non-traditionalists
 The Generations
(Wiedmer, 2015)

● Traditionalists: 1900 - 1945

● Baby Boomers: 1946 – 1964

● Generation X: 1965 – 1980

● Generation Y (i.e. Millennials) : 1981 –

2000

● Generation Z : 2001 - 2012

The Traditionalists (Pre-1945)
Common learning styles for each
generation:
Traditionalists (Pre-1945)
● Born before 1945, traditionalists tend to
favor a more structured, “command and
control” oriented learning program.
● Classroom lectures are often preferred.
● As more experienced members of the team,
members of this generation may also be
ideal mentors in select roles and
organizations.
● Often somewhat withdrawn, they prefer predictability
and anonymity and do not like to be surprised or put
on the spot.

What to provide for this group:

● Instructor-directed lectures

● Independent skill practice time

 The Baby Boomers
(the largest generation, idealist)

●As of 2015, between 55 – 72 years old or

between 51 -69
●Lived through a very prosperous time in
American history
●Fought in Vietnam, fought for civil rights,
women’s rights
and gay rights
Baby boomers (1946-1964)
Common learning styles for each
generation:

Baby Boomers (1946-1964)

● Born between 1946 and 1964, baby boomers expect a more
personally-focused learning structure.
● The classroom continues to be an effective setting, although
members of this generation tend to favor in-class
participation, reflection, and feedback to bring them more
directly into the process.
● In the classroom, Baby Boomers are internally focused yet
extrinsically motivated.
● With a strong self-efficacy, they expect themselves to easily
achieve mastery.
 ● They prefer democratically run classrooms and enjoy working
collectively, provided their group has an achievable mission
and a spirit of cooperation.

● Although they enjoy interacting with others, they prefer to

experiment with new skills independently and can be very
sensitive to criticism.

What to provide for this group:

● Inclusive decision-making

● Group interactions and discussions

● Chances to try new skills independently

 The Baby Boomers
Remember these……
Remember these……
Boomer’s First Computer
Generation x (1965-1980)
 The Gen X

●Lives not secure as the boomers

●“Gen Bust and the “ Forgotten
Generation”
●Known as MTV generation
●Most educated generation
Common learning styles for each
generation:

● Generation X (1965-1980)

● Born between 1965 and 1980, the members of Gen X are often
noted as the most fiercely independent of the 4 groups

● prioritizing self-directed educational opportunities and

programs that enable them to learn on their own schedule.

● Unlike the grade-focused Baby Boom generation, Gen Xers are

intrinsic learners who view learning as an independent, self-
directed activity.
● In the classroom they are self-motivated, provided they see the
learning as relevant, and place greater value on work-life
balance and fun than did their workaholic parents.
● They can be somewhat impulsive and impatient in
group learning environments and prefer to be given
lots of discretion, yet they often crave lots of
individual attention and feedback.

What to provide for this group:

● Fun activities

● Discretion to complete task in their own way

Gen X’s First Computer
 GENERATION Y
●Born between 1981 and 2000

Net Echo
Millennials
Generation Boom
Common learning styles for each
generation:
Gen Y (1981-2000)

● Born after 1980, this latest generation to enter the

workforce has married the learning preferences of its
two predecessors, favoring highly personalized training
on a self-directed schedule.

● As the members of Gen Y grew up with the internet, it

should be no surprise this cohort also prefers to access
information on-demand, whenever and wherever they
may happen to want it.

● Homeschooling (parents educating their own children)

grew exponentially for this generation. They are the
most educated generation in history.
● In the classroom, Millennials prefer participatory,
activity-based group work, although they are
accustomed to being evaluated and graded on an
individual level.

● They will strive to earn high marks for themselves and

their teams and may even bend the rules when
necessary to do so.

● They are the first generation to have used technology

their entire lives, so they expect to use it everywhere
they go, including the classroom.

What to provide for this group:

● Lots of activity-based group work

● Indivdualized feedback and mentoring

 Safety Issues
The Safest Generation
●This generation was buckled up
in car seats, wore bike helmets,
elbow and knee pads when
skating, and were the inspiration
for “Baby on Board” signs.
Generation Z (2001-2012)
 Gen Z
●A new “Silent Generation” referred to
as Generation Z, Post- Millenniala,
Zs,Zers, iGeneration, Gen Tech, Net
Gen, Digital Natives, Gen Next, Post
Gen and Plurals.
●Majority of Gen Z still learning in K-12
environment
Common learning styles for each
generation:
Gen Z (2001-2012)

● Gen Z-ers tend to embrace social learning

environments, where they can be hands-on and directly
involved in the learning process.

● They expect on-demand services that are available at

any time and with low barriers to access.

● They tend to enjoy class discussions and interactive

classroom environments over the traditional
dissemination teaching method

● Digital generation
How Gen Z learns…..

●Motivated by Web 2.0

●Preferred graphics
●Expecting instant feedbacks
●Learn collaboratively using games
 TRADITIONAL –AGE STUDENTS
●24 years or under
●Millennials
●Multitasking
●Enrolled in school
immediately after high
school
●Attends college full-
time
NONTRADITIONAL-AGE STUDENTS
Common learning styles for each
generation:
Non-traditionalist

● population of students who are considered to be more

mature, have been exposed to numerous life
experiences, have diverse educational backgrounds
and aspirations, choose a variety of enrollment
patterns, and are fulfilling diverse role relationships
simultaneously.

● majority of nontraditional learners are engaged in full-

time or part-time jobs, have families, and are involved in
extensive personal, career, and academic
commitments.
GENERAL LEARNING
PREFERENCES:
Traditionalists and Baby Boomers

● expect to be exposed to development opportunities

● but the frequency, format and participation is often

directed by the organization and their managers.

● They’re accustomed to having facilitators, trainers and

instructors stand at the front of the room teaching to
and talking at them.

● For these experienced generations, learning is not

necessarily based on employee needs or desires, they
expect trainers and facilitators to be experts who ‘teach’
relevant content.
GENERAL LEARNING
PREFERENCES:

Gen X

● who witnessed various family members downsized

during the recessions of the 80’s and 90’s, decided that
it wasn’t a good idea to let organizations determine their
career and skill development, so they committed to
owning their own growth and development.

● This means that Gen Xers look for organizations that

acknowledge and actively develop skills that employees
are interested in building.
 GENERAL LEARNING
PREFERENCES:

Gen Y

● expect learning to be frequent, early in their

careers, and be focused on their learning interests,
including skill sets outside of their current role.

● They also expect the organization to provide those

learning opportunities, internally or through
subsidized external programs.
Multigenerational Learning in the
Workplace:

● If the learning is technology based, tension can

arise between experienced/older learners who may
not be as comfortable using technology and
younger learners who can be frustrated by the slow
pace of the learning.
Multigenerational Learning in
the Workplace:

● Baby Boomers tend to be low risk takers in the

learning environment. They are often afraid that
if they do not perform new skills/tasks well, they
will be vulnerable on the job.