Cross Generation Learning Styles

A Partner in

Sherri Petro

Learn With Me! Training Multiple Generations

2009

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The Objectives

♦ Define the generational mix

♦ Discuss the differences of the four generations in the classroom

♦ Share “generational” best practices to increase the learning in your training classes

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The Generation Mix In 2009

♦ Traditionalists – Born 1925-45– 64-84 years

♦ Baby Boomers – Born 1946-64 – 45-63 years

♦ Generation X – Born 1965-80– 29-44 years

♦ Generation Y – Born 1981-?– 18-28 years

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National Landscape 2006

6.5%

41%

30%

22.5%

Traditionalists

Baby Boomers

Generation X

Generation Y

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Clarifying Question

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Affects in the Classroom

♦ Time sensitivities♦ Different

communication vehicles

♦ Subscription to technology

♦ Classroom etiquette

♦ Change♦ Respect♦ Entitlement♦ Engagement

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Generational Group Exercise

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Generational Group Discussion

1. What motivates your generation?

2. What are you most proud of about your generation?

3. What do you wish the other generations appreciated about yours?

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Traditionalists Style♦ Respect for authority♦ Loyal♦ Practical and patient ♦ Can be tough for them to

use their own judgment ♦ Why customize? ♦ Separation of work and

home♦ Their goal is to build a

legacy

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Traditionalists: Training and Learning Strategies

♦ Prefer to learn in the morning�♦ Sage on the stage♦ Lecture♦ Q&A♦ Dislike being called on…♦ Link learning to organizational goals

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Baby Boomers Style

♦ Appreciate process♦ Team work and collaboration♦ Self-improvement♦ Strong work ethic♦ Optimistic and idealistic♦ Struggle with work/life balance♦ Prefer tactile learning♦ Goal is to put their stamp on things

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Baby Boomers: Training and Learning Strategies

♦ Facilitated, instructor-led�♦ Interactive and group learning♦ Need time to practice skills♦ Prefer tactile learning♦ Like books, PPT, and hand-outs♦ Link learning to new ways to add value

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Generation X Style♦ Appreciate results and outcomes♦ Like to solve their own problems♦ Multi-taskers♦ Fiercely independent♦ Direct communicators versus reading in between the lines♦ Skeptical

♦ Values diversity♦ Informal♦ Quick study♦ Look for the sound bytes♦ Work solo and yet on teams♦ Need for external recognition as reward♦ Goal is maintaining independence

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Generation X: Training and Learning Styles♦ Focus on outcomes versus techniques♦ Make learning experiential, problem–solving♦ Control over own learning♦ Like parallel thinking♦ Go with key points♦ Flexibility in scheduling♦ Link learning to their marketability

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Generation Y Style

♦ Digital natives♦ Menu-driven thinking♦ Work on their own terms♦ Think globally♦ Have positive expectations♦ Want customization♦ Desire interactivity♦ Express to express -- not to

impress you

♦ Multi-taskers♦ Desire mutual respect♦ Ready for collaboration♦ Are looking for a cause♦ Meaningful work♦ Celebrate diversity♦ Acknowledgement for

being here♦ Looking for an experience

Goal is to find work and create a life that has meaning

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Gen Y: Training and Learning Strategies♦ Edutainment - both fun and learning♦ Mis-takes♦ Teamwork and technology♦ Like discovery and mystery of unanswered

questions♦ Engaged to retain info♦ Link learning to making a future (both

making a difference and making money)

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Similarities*

♦ We receive great reward – For the work we do– From the people we work with– And the belief that we are contributing to

society and our current jobs♦ We receive great satisfaction from our

accomplishments at work

• CCL Emerging Leaders Research by Ross DePinto, 2003

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Generational Similarities

♦ We have – A desire to learn – A desire to be acknowledged– A desire to be rewarded

♦ We want – To be trusted, valued and respected– To succeed

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General Suggestions

♦ Employ a student and teacher mindset♦ Encouragement enlargement of ideas with

participants♦ Dialogue vs debate♦ Conduct a temperature check survey in the

classroom♦ Allow informal & scheduled times on the agenda

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Thank You!

Sherri PetroVPI Strategies, a Partner in

sherri@vpistrategies.comwww.workplaceevolution.com

858-583-3097