Generation Y

You may also know them as Millennials, Generation We, Internet Generation, or Leave No One Behind.1,3,5 They were born between approximately 1981 and mid 1990s up to 2000.1

Who are Cuspers?

If you were born near the end of one generation and at the beginning of the next, and you feel that you have a mix of characteristics of both adjacent generations but don't resemble the typical traits of the middle of the adjacent generations, you might be a Cusper. 6

 

A Cusper may live between any of the two generations. According to some sources, one specific example of a Cusper generation is a microgeneration living between Gen X and Gen Y called Xennials. Xennials, typically born in the late 1970s to early 1980s, had an analog childhood but digital adulthood. The Cusper microgeneration between Millennials and Gen Z are referred to as Zennials or Zillennials by some sources.

 

Being a Cusper may present its advantages because you may be empathetic to both adjacent generations.

Group of Generation Y talking with different technologies in their hands.
Millennials


Traits of Millennials

  • Use technology throughout the day to remain connected to the world and one another1,2,3,4
  • Have short attention span; get easily distracted by social media and notifications
  • Focus more on materialistic values than the larger community
  • The most curious generation (although Gen Z also prefers continuous learning)4
  • Expect immediate feedback to know that they are on the right track3,4
  • Prefer transparency and two-way feedback; opinionated and may question authority3,4
  • Are highly visual learners who also like humor3
  • Tend to be optimist; and support various causes4
  • Do not like to sacrifice their personal life; their motto is to "work hard and play hard" 4
  • Are more open-minded, and more supportive of gay rights and equal rights for minorities than previous generations.
  • Are confident, optimistic, and receptive to new ideas5

 

Learning Preferences

Let us start the learning preferences of Millennials with a short video.

  • "Millennials are extremely team-oriented and enjoy collaborating and building friendships with colleagues" 4
  • Gen Y likes to communicate through texting and social media 3
  • They like customizing the course to fit their preferences (such as selecting a project, topic, platform, etc.) 3
  • Need to feel involved; even through volunteer projects
  • Need to hear rationale behind instructions 7
  • Desire warm, empathetic atmosphere in which they can connect with the instructor 7
  • Expect the instructor to provide a very engaging, structured environment 3
  • Are bored with lectures; they prefer summarized content instead of overloading them with vast amount of knowledge
  • Prefer learning by using multimedia, games, simulations, digital tools, podcasts, concept maps, short videos, and infographics as they are visual learners and tech-savvy 3

 

Practical Tips

  • Provide clear objectives, standards, due dates, assignment instructions, and evaluation criteria 
  • Encourage research-based learning; ask them to create digital materials that they prefer (podcasts, videos, concept maps, infographics, mnemonics, etc.)  
  • Connect assignments to current and future jobs to make them relevant 
  • Incorporate social media and technology in assignments or activities (even as resource sites) 
  • Infuse multimedia, games, simulations, podcasts, infographics, and other digital tools throughout the course
  • Provide feedback quickly or incorporate peer-feedback opportunities 
  • Recognize and note their accomplishments in feedback and via announcements 
  • Incorporate experiential learning, service learning, and collaborative group projects in the curriculum 
  • Use one due date per week for all assignments (to meet their flexibility needs)
  • Establish multiple small-group discussions and activities in face-to-face and online classrooms and participate in these discussions
  • Start conversations on social media that will engage your audience; ask them to contribute quality posts
  • Develop their critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and ask them to reflect on their learning/thinking process (metacognitive skills) through journaling
  • Teach them library literacy skills and citations

 Please complete the activity to gauge your understanding.

 Quiz Group 

 

1 Betz, C. L. (2019). Generations X, Y, and Z. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 44, A7-A8.
2 Wiedmer, T. (2015). Generations do differ: Best practices in leading Traditionalists, Boomers, and Generations X, Y, and Z. Delta Kappa Gamma Bulletin, 82(1), 51-58.
3 Griggs, J. (n.d.). Generational learning styles (Generation X and Y). Florida Institute of Technology. Retrieved from https://intra.cbcs.usf.edu/common/file/HireABull/Generational%20Learning%20Styles%20Handout.pdf
4 Abbot, L. (2019, May 8). 11 Millennials' traits you should know about before you hire them. LinkedIn. Retrieved from https://business.linkedin.com/talent-solutions/blog/2013/12/8-millennials-traits-you-should-know-about-before-you-hire-them
5 Twenge, J. M. (2017). iGen: Why today's super-connected kids are growing up less rebellious, more tolerant, less happy—and completely unprepared for adulthood. NewYork, NY: Atria Books.
6 Kennedy MM. (1999). Generations: when boomers meet cuspers, busters and netsters. Point of View, 37(3), 5–7.
7 Price, C. (2009). Why don't my students think I'm groovy? The Teaching Professor, 23 (1), 7.

Image: Millennials by Fond Technologies is under Fair Use