Expectations of Generation Y

1.Provide challenging work that really matters.
2. Balance clearly delegated assignments with the freedom and flexibility to produce results in their own way.
3. Offer increasing responsibility as a reward for accomplishments 4.Spend time getting to know staff members and their capabilities.
5. Provide ongoing training and learning opportunities.
6. Establish mentoring relationships.
7. Create a comfortable low stress work environment.
8. Allow some flexible scheduling.
9. Be personable and joke around with the staff, while still getting the job done.
10.Balance the role of boss with team player
11.Treat them as colleagues not as interns assistant or teenagers.
12. Be respectful and call forth respect in return.
13. Consistently provide constructive feedback. (Hattie- single most important ingredient for higher performance)
14. Let them know when they have done a good job.

There are fundamental differences in Generation Y's, in fact, their brain function is actually different, and the way their neurons connect is different. They love to multitask, they hate to do one thing at a time. Although this could lead to superficial learning, their ability to network is fundamental-remember the connecter in the classroom! As they all have ipods and mobiles, it is a matter of getting them to use these appropriately.

The Y Gen are the clickerati, the thumb gen., digital natives in a world where we are but digital immigrants.
Did you know that statistics state that in public schools in N.S.W students in years 7-10 are absent 25% of the time, while 50% are regularly absent. So the rate of attendance over 4 years, based on the figures, says 50% of students are only there for 2 years.
Why are these students not engaged? Is the solution being put forward of a back to basics curriculum relevant? Perhaps these trends are what's driving the increase in numbers being experienced by the private education system. It may well be that the state system in ten years will be where you go if you can't go anywhere else. The problems are social, economic, values, family, school culture and community. These problems are placed before us as educaters to inspire real solutions.


Posted by sallyd @ 6:54 PM