Mellennials and training

"Team members from Signature Worldwide, a training and marketing company that specializes in the hospitality industry, recently went into a typical hotel training session like they would any other. But this time they found a marked change: Trainees were text messaging, talking and seemingly not paying attention to the lessons. At first, (the trainers) thought it was just rude, said Lisa Kalmar, instructional designer at Signature Worldwide. Soon after, they discovered the trainees were a different kind of group -- one that required extra mental stimulation, more group interaction and increased technology. The trainees were millennials -- those born between 1980 and 2000. As Signature's trainers found, millennials require more stimulation, which can be achieved in part through technology." (Hanna, 2009)
What is wrong with kids today? I say nothing! The above scenario is one that plays out every day in various settings. Some educators hold the opinion that their students are rude, don't care, or are just inconsiderate. However, the truth may be that they are just bored and the usual way of teaching is not visually stimulating. Educators today have to be cognizant of the differences of the way people are learning today. Today visual stimulation is all around us and for the generations growing up in the age of technology it has caused a rift between them and their parents and educators.


It is important to for the older generations to accept that learning styles are changing. Rather than trying to force the student into the molds of yesterday, it might be better for the adults to learn from the kids. Take a moment and figure out how we can use technology to stimulate the learner in ways never possible before. Like it or not technology is here and is not going away. As the years progress, so will the ways we use technology to teach. The techno age is exciting and is opening windows and doors into a new world...let’s not run from it, let’s run to it full speed ahead!


References:
Hanna, E.. (2009, March). New tactics needed to train Gen Y workers. Hotel and Motel Management, 224(3), 1. Retrieved February 15, 2010, from ABI/INFORM Trade & Industry. (Document ID: 1671725931).