Who Are Our Students

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Who Are Our Students?

• Kevin M. Johnston
• Director, MSU TA Programs
• kmj_at_msu.edu
• www.tap.msu.edu

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Presentation Format

• Faculty/ Student Interaction
• (Whats really shaping these relationships or our
  understanding of them?)
• Classrooms that WORK!
• (Or do they? Why? Why Not?
• How do we know?)

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Looking At Tomorrow Through Todays Students

• So you think you know who they are?
• Lets see

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Lets Get Started!

• Five Words That Explain Todays Undergraduates
  are.
• What are the Biggest Influences on Modern
  Undergraduate Attitudes?

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Other Clues (Born in 1986)

• January 28, 1986
• September 11, 2001

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MSUs Class of 2006 2002 Beloit College
Mindset List

• They were born in 1984, when experts questioned
  whether or not
• Briefcase-sized computers needed?
• Star Wars interest waning ?
• Direct Broadcast Satellite systems, any market ?
• (And no question) Vinyl would always be around

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Ambitious Generation

• Motivated but Directionless

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Millennials

• Characteristics?
• Special Confident Achieving
• Sheltered Team-oriented Pressured
• Conventional
• Theres a lot to Like About This Group
• Institution Builders
• Technology Adherents

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But Whats Frustrating About Teaching Them?

• They Dont Read as Much (Books)
• NYT Fall 2002 Books overtaken by web
• Declining Math/Science Focus
• Visually oriented differently than prior
  generations (Is this the MTV Generation?)
• Student consumers more grade
• oriented (?) Resulting behavior?

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AND

• Have You Met Their Parents?

The Soccer Moms Have Arrived on-campus
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New Careers

• Artificial Intelligence technician information
  center manager information broker
• Food systems aqua culturist
• Space mechanic
• Leisure consultant retirement counselor
  relocation counselor
• Computer microprocessor bionic tech

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Employers Staying Competitive (How might this
reflect changing faculty/student relationships?
Student learning goals/outcomes?)

• A Different Type of employee
• Critical Thinking (complexity)
• Boundaries not important
• Competition and Widening Position
• Boomer Leadership/Millennial Subordinates
• Gender Issues

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Employers want the total package

• Leadership
• Computer literacy
• Personal accountability
• Initiative
• Willingness to learn
• Context experience
• Teamwork

• Sound technical/disciplinary skills
• Critical thinking Tran disciplinary perspective
• Communication
• Interpersonal skills

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Surviving in a Quickly Changing Business World

• Understand the changing nature of leadership
• Appreciate the importance of innovation
• Welcome change make it work
• Accept responsibility to work for social justice
• Commitment to lifelong learning
• Cope with blurring boundaries

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Future Factors? How Might These Impact The
Classroom?

• Impact of September 11th?
• International Student Influx
• Internationalization/Interdisciplinary Studies
• What Else?

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What Do They Want Out Of School?
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What Do They Want Out of School? (cont.)
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Making Teaching Goals, Methods, and Assessment
Work

• Are we testing what were teaching?
• Are we teaching what were saying we are?
• How can teaching methods make a difference for
  todays students?

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Why Do I Have To Learn In Ways That Fit The
Ways You Teach?

• Students Want To Help Set The Table
• Why/When Does Student Centered
• Teaching Work?

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Are We Asking The Correct Questions?

• New Generation/New Learning Styles?
• Cant Traditional Teaching Methods Still Be
  Effective?
• Has Teaching Become a Zero Sum Enterprise?
• What Can I Change Right Away?

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What Questions Do You Have About Undergraduates?