Educators must recognize how values and experiences shape learning needs of Gen Xers and how technology can be used to effect a positive change
Dr Manasvi M. Kamat
Gen X or Generation X is the demographic cohort following the ‘baby boomers’ (born between 1946 and 1964) and preceding the ‘millennials’ (born between 1982 and 2001). Accordingly the demographers typically use birth years ranging from the early-to-mid 1960s to the early 1980s, to classify demographic generation as the ‘Gen X’.
Gen X is a label taken from the 1991 novel ‘Generation X: Tales for an Accelerated Culture’ by the Canadian novelist Douglas Copeland. In later years two different studies conducted by the Pew Research Center titled ‘Generation X: America’s Neglected Child’, and ‘Generations and their Gadgets’ examine the attitudes of this age demographic with regards to different socio-cultural issues, their learning and comfort with technology.
According to the available researches, Gen Xers are identified as independent, resourceful, self-managing, adaptable, cynical, pragmatic, skeptical of authority, and as seekers of work life balance. More interestingly the Gen X places high value on learning and prefers to get trained rather than getting taught.
The above characteristics offer some insights about how Gen X likes to learn.
Since Xers are considered to be problem solvers, self-starters and responsible, they prefer more of experiential learning and simulation. They seek immediate answers, support and feedback and don’t want to be controlled. Since many grew up with computers, Gen Xers have adapted technology quite well, preferring the quick access of internet for locating information.
The second learning for educators about Xers is that they are focused learners and don’t want to waste time understanding theories. They seek application oriented education and want their education to be meaningful to their work. In words of Caudron (1997) ‘they want to know why they must learn something before they take time to learn how’.
Thirdly, it must be recognised that Xers’ demand constant engagement in learning and are often influenced by their previous learning, experiences and their expectations and this demands that the trainer (not teachers) focus on learning outcomes rather than using techniques of teaching.
To facilitate better learning for Gen X the trainer is required to adopt strategies that offer direct and immediate communication. The idea is to make their assignments and learning linked to the real-world by providing an opportunity for individual work. Use of design thinking (integrating case method in teaching), self-learning games, and online learning tools like mind maps, quizzes, and even flowcharts facilitate better learning in the class room.
Given the typical liking to learning the educators could plan to offer Online courses and part-time study programs (executive education) for consumption of Gen X learners. Educators must recognize that Xers understand the value of learning to remain marketable, and thus are lifelong learners. They thus seek opportunities for continuing education and training. While designing and delivering online and part-time programs, the challenges arising due to course-related and learner-related variations must be addressed carefully.
Education technology mainly information and communication technology, can address these course-related and learner-related problems by delivering better lessons, training teachers and motivating students belonging the Gen X. Technology can also be used to effect positive change in teaching and learning methods. Some popular teaching techniques that have arisen from the integration of technology in education and found relevant to Xers are listed as flipped classroom, learning analytics, career software etc.
The ideal situation is to combine good teaching with technology for Gen X learners is for example through a ‘flipped classroom’. In flipped classroom, students learn the material on their own through videos and tech-aided instructional material while class time is devoted to problem-solving and project work with a high level of interaction between teachers and students. Technology provides a baseline of education inputs for such students to study on their own while teachers can supplement by bringing their experience in to the classrooms.
The other example of use of effective technology for Gen X is ‘Learning analytics’ to help providers improve student engagement. Those solutions offer providers the chance to identify and provide additional support to students that are at potential risk of dropping out or failing to progress through their course, and can even be used as a tool to develop or restructure the way courses are delivered, and what content is included, for the benefit of students, on the basis of the insights gleaned from data.
The third example of integrating technology to facilitate learning for Gen X is through the use of ‘Career Software’, which earlier finding place only at career/placement offices and professional schools. Here the option of deploying a career-focused ERP is sought. The utility of Career software is to operationalise the concepts of ‘lifelong learning’ and ‘students-for-life’ by looking for connections between educators to remain tethered to Gen X through career advice, planning and placement systems.
Educators should recognize how values and experiences shape learning needs and expectations. Understanding of the characteristics about Gen Xers offer insight into new ways of their learning and highlight the need for new approaches to their teaching. After all only creating a positive learning environment will enhance student learning and meets the relevant needs of all such adult learners.
