Different generations tend to view the world differently -- organizers of KSU's Learning Institute say professors can learn from generational diversity. For example, traditional students tend to be of the millennial generation (born in 1982 or later) and therefore may be more accepting of new technologies. Several professors remarked now students are switching from e-mail to the newer Instant Messenger program to communicate Online. Realizing generational trends like this one could help professors communicate better with students.

Mark Kretovics, an assistant professor of higher education administration and a Great Starts member, and Janice Gerda, an instructor also in higher education administration, led faculty from all learning communities in the first activity of the two-day get-together. Faculty, students and guests at the event wrote down events they remember on slips of colored paper -- each generation wrote on different colored slips. The events were then displayed by decade on the walls. The results: certain generations tended to remember (and perhaps be shaped by) events in certain decades.

The "gen xers" seemed to have been influenced the most by the 60s. Gerda explained values often form when people are 8 to 12-years-old -- Gerda and Kretovics' presentation was appropriately titled: "You are What You Were Then, but Your Students and Colleagues are Who They are Now."

The first day of the institute was also attended by: Provost Paul Gaston, President Carol Cartwright, and a Sheryl Hansen from the Ohio Learning Network. All praised Kent State's development of its learning communities.

On the second day, Dr. Dan Madigan, a professor of English and director of the Center for Teaching, Learning & Technology at Bowling Green State University, discussed learning-centered environments. Attendees were asked to write down a particularly effective learning environment they benefited from. This led to open discussions about what constitutes a learning-centered environment. Professors explained how to improve students' attitudes toward learning by providing better environments. (To the left, Faculty Professional Development Center Director Mary Lou Holly jots down notes during a discussion. Holly also hosted the institute.)

The institute wrapped up with Great Starts and other learning communities meeting individually to talk about insights gained from the experience. Groups also provided feedback on the event.

Links for Further Reading

• "How Experts Differ from Novices" (Handout from Learning Institute).