Generational Differences

Generational differences?

Generational Differences

Thomas Reeves (20006), reporting on generational differences, wrote, “are evident in the workplace, but they are not salient enough to warrant the specification of different instructional designs or the use of different learning technologies.” “On the other hand, both feasible solutions and reusable design principles are sorely needed with respect to the intersection of generational differences and instructional design. Instead of worrying about whether Boomers, GenXers or Millennials will learn more from direct instruction or virtual reality games, instructional designers and educational technology researchers working closely with practitioners and subject matter experts should begin by identifying the needs of any given set of learners, design the best possible prototype learning environments in situ [see Note], and then conduct iterative cycles of formative evaluation and refinement to optimize the solution and reveal robust design principles.”