The Generation Y experience will be different for
the each of the participants in the process.
Gen Y Student
Gen Y Parent
Gen Y Teacher
Partner-Teacher
Administrator
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The
Gen Y Student Experience
The Gen Y student will participate in authentic project-based learning.
- Students are introduced to the Gen Y concepts in their Gen Y
class.
- Students are taught technical and collaboration skills.
- Students fill out pre-evaluation surveys using our online tools.
- Students are paired with a partner teacher.
- Students and partner-teachers meet and plan project.
- Students enter the project plan into the online project planning
tools.
- Students receive project feedback and evaluations from Generation
YES consultants.
- Students work on project during Gen Y class periods.
- Students continue to learning technical skills while working
on projects
- Students periodically check in with partner-teacher to show
progress, show teacher technology and discuss project.
- Partner Teacher delivers lesson to their class with the support
of their Gen Y student.
- Students and Partner Teachers fill out post-project evaluation
surveys for assessment.
- Students and Partner Teacher feel empowered by their success!
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Quotes |
"While I truly appreciate the value of technology and
the amazing capabilities it has brought to our lives, it is
neither my forte nor my focus as a member of Generation Y.
My vision is for the improvement of education, and I very
strongly believe that the collaboration between students,
teachers and families created by the program is the key to
building a model of learning that will strengthen our world
as Generation Y (and those that follow) comes of age."
Emily McCartan - Gen Y Student |
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The
Gen Y Teacher Experience
The Gen Y teacher is the teacher who teaches the Gen Y class. They
receive support and coaching from Generation YES to make sure the
class is a success.
Gen Y teachers are not necessarily technology teachers, many successful
programs have been delivered by teachers with little or no technology
expertise. In fact, it is important that you do not provide all
the answers for the students. The most important ingredient for
a Gen Y teacher is the ability to step out of the lecture role into
that of a facilitator. Collaborative learning is meant to empower
the student to find their own answers - with help from a skilled
teacher.
- Gen Y teachers receive hands-on training from Generation YES
staff to familiarize them with the philosophy, tools and support
system they will rely on.
- Gen Y teachers use the curriculum guide to prepare and teach
the Gen Y class.
- Gen Y teachers help find partner-teachers for Gen Y students.
- Gen Y teachers give Gen Y students ideas for projects, help
them fill out the online reports and use the online tools provided
by Generation YES.
- Gen Y teachers facilitate the project process throughout the
term of the class.
- Gen Y teachers help the students understand and use the consultants
evaluation of their projects.
- Gen Y teachers help the students fill out the results section
of our online tools as well as the post-project surveys.
- Gen Y teachers receive evaluation data from the Northwest Regional
Education Lab to show the results of the program.
- Gen Y teachers receive accolades from their peers and administrators
for the incredible success of the program and the increase in
technology infusion in the school.
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Quotes |
"The kids gain so much confidence over the semester. They
have been able to help us school wide with computer deployments
and setting up profiles. They have been very valuable."
"We had some terrific projects completed, and when other teachers
saw what our students had done, they wanted to know how they
could be a part of our program."
"The staff has been very positive in their feedback
and the waiting list of kids wanting into the class is huge.
I think this says a lot about how well it is going."
Teachers responding to NWREL evaluation studies |
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The
Gen Y Parent Experience
Your student is participating in an innovative program that has
been proven to improve student learning through the use of technology.
In the Gen Y class, your student will learn both technology and
people skills. Using these skills, they will work on projects with
a teacher-partner that will enhance their own learning experiences
and those of other students in the school. Through this partnership,
the students begin to understand the contribution they can make
to their schools and communities.
Students often come away from their Gen Y experience with a sense
of empowerment, and greater understanding of their active role in
the educational process.
You may experience the class as less structured than normal, however,
this is not unusual for a project-based class. Your child is learning
valuable skills not only in technology, but in project management
and collaboration. These are not things they can absorb in a lecture,
but must learn by doing. You may see your child try to do things,
such as programming, that you would not expect for their age. Don't
be surprised when they exceed everyone's expectations, including
their own. |
Quotes |
"Megan was always excited to go to Generation Y on Tuesday
and Thursday mornings. I don�t recall a time she wasn�t
excited about going to Generation Y.
This program has real value not only for skill reasons but
for other personal growth reasons as well. I want to thank
you for this opportunity for Megan and sincerely hope that
other kids have the opportunity to experience Generation Y
as well in the future."
Kathleen McNamara � Parent |
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The Gen Y Partner-Teacher Experience
Many partner-teachers are initially leery about participating
in Gen Y. Will it take too much time? Will it be a waste of time?
And even worse, some teachers are "volunteered" without their consent.
Or it may seem like another one of the endless schemes that just
take up time and result in nothing.
However, if you are a partner teacher candidate for a Gen Y class
you will be participating in a program that has been carefully designed
and developed to meet your needs. Your participation time is minimal
- the average partner teacher reports that they spend 3 hours per
semester class on the Gen Y project.
- Meet with your Gen Y student partner.
- Decide what lesson/unit will be infused with technology.
- Check in with you partner-student periodically to provide suggestions
and feedback during the project preparation
- Prepare for the delivery of the lesson
- Upon completion, evaluate the success of the project.
- Complete the online final submission form and post-survey.
- Reuse new technology-infused lesson.
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Quotes |
"It was a wonderful learning experience for me!"
"[Generation Y] helped me become more comfortable working
with technology because I feel confident my Generation Y students
can help me out when I�m in trouble."
"This has been a wonderful experience for myself. I can�t
wait to use what I learned with my class next year!"
Partner-teachers responding to NWREL evaluation studies |
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| The
Administrative Experience
Administrators are crucial to the success of the Gen Y experience.
Our evaluation studies show that a supportive administration greatly
increases the success of Gen Y programs in their schools. Your support
of the program will reap great rewards, including increased technology
infusion in your school, additional student support resources to
help your technology program, increased student involvement in the
educational goals of the school and much more.
This is not a "quick fix" solution to all problems -
nothing that really works every is. But taking the time and making
the effort to support this model of student inclusion and teacher
professional development can be as successful in your school as
it has in other schools. As a company and as dedicated educators
we are committed to that success. We invite you to attend the Gen
Y training session and use the resources of the Gen Y support staff
throughout the term of the class. We are here to help you in the
support of your Gen Y program and your school. |
Quotes |
"The most memorable part of the experience for both students
and teachers was the collaboration process. The interaction
between Generation Y students and partner teachers was beneficial
to both."
Jim Shireman
Instructional Technology Leader |
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