The Generation Y Experience
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
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
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!
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
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.
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
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
"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
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.
Quotes
"It was a wonderful learning experience for me!"
"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
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.
