Designing e-learning for Generation Y Mark Harrison www.kineo.com

Kineo helps internal teams... to make e-learning easier to produce and more engaging for learners

Who is Generation Y? What do they want? Why do we currently miss the mark? How can we match their preferences? What types of learning opportunities should we provide for them? Designing e-learning for Generation Y

Who is Generation Y?

What do they want?

Why do we currently miss the mark?

How can we match their preferences?

What types of learning opportunities should we provide for them?

Who is Generation Y? born between 1980-1992 digital natives, parents were not shorter attention spans resistant to lecture prefer action low threshold for print sources more comfortable sharing information

Who is Generation Y?

born between 1980-1992

digital natives, parents were not

shorter attention spans

resistant to lecture

prefer action

low threshold for print sources

more comfortable sharing information

Who is Generation Y? Source: TECH Tribe report 2006 23hrs a week spent online vs. 17 hours watching TV 1/4 do all their shopping online 60% say the internet “belongs to them” 67% would be ‘lost’ without their computer vs. 46% would be lost without TV Source: TECH Tribe report 2006

Who is Generation Y?

Who is Generation Y? v i s ual imagery creative thinking They prefer: sharing openly going in to get what they need then get out not to be locked in learning loops large variety of activities engaging, gaming activities

Who is Generation Y?

Why do we currently miss the mark? Who are the decision-makers? What do they know about 20-30 year olds? How many L&D departments are run by technical literate heads? Sharing is risky. Senior managers can be exposed by what they don’t know. Junior staff can ask difficult questions. Offence is always possible. Sharing is hard work. Learning is hard work. Not easy to reproduce Facebook fun. It has to be informal (like the web) – so how can you plan it?

Who are the decision-makers? What do they know about 20-30 year olds? How many L&D departments are run by technical literate heads?

Sharing is risky. Senior managers can be exposed by what they don’t know. Junior staff can ask difficult questions. Offence is always possible.

Sharing is hard work. Learning is hard work. Not easy to reproduce Facebook fun.

It has to be informal (like the web) – so how can you plan it?

What is the most symbolic object that sums up Generation Y in 2009?

More for Less Developments in Rapid E-Learning If only all e-learning was like an

More for Less Developments in Rapid E-Learning If only all e-learning was like an ...then Generation Y would love us!

Flexible – 24/7 Can be personalised The iPhone A model for Generation Y learning Looks good Does not suggest ‘the establishment’ Has over 25,000 very different ‘applications’

YouTube – video sharing Camera – picture sharing iPod – Podcasts

Let’s get everyone to share ideas by video or pictures It’s easy to do and it’s authentic – upload or email Use a SWAT squad to go in and do interviews for vodcasts/podcasts Camera – picture sharing YouTube – video sharing iPod – Podcasts

AIM –Instant Messaging & Sharing Knowledge - Twitter

AIM –Instant Messaging & Sharing Knowledge - Twitter Let’s encourage everyone to share ideas and ask questions of everyone else Get to know their colleagues and they’ll find out what they know and what they are doing – it makes Generation Y happier!

Facebook – blogging and networking

Facebook – blogging and networking Get the latest facts and expertise from those who know (cut out the middle man...) Get debates going and a buzz around new things – develop small informal communities

Instant, up to date information

Make it easy to find the things that people want to know The Search button is more important to Gen Y than multiple menus and LMSs Instant, up to date information

Personalization Make the learner feel like a person and not like a user 2. Identity Use real images to help learners identify with the messages 3. Brand Re-inforce the relationship between the learner and the organisation. 12 Guidelines for designing engaging eLearning environments for Generation Y learners (Eva de Lera, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya)

Personalization Make the learner feel like a person and not like a user

2. Identity Use real images to help learners identify with the messages

3. Brand Re-inforce the relationship between the learner and the organisation.

4. Community Offer options to communicate, relate, and participate 5. Surprise Surprise elements show learners they are part of a creative and dynamic community 6. Innovation Bring in things that learners may begin hearing in the media and on the web 7. Zen – Ensure white spaces. Avoid unnecessary noise. 12 Guidelines for designing engaging eLearning environments for Generation Y learners (Eva de Lera, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya)

4. Community Offer options to communicate, relate, and participate

5. Surprise Surprise elements show learners they are part of a creative and dynamic community

6. Innovation Bring in things that learners may begin hearing in the media and on the web

7. Zen – Ensure white spaces. Avoid unnecessary noise.

8. Search - Provide shortcuts for learners 9. Clarity - Use lively and bright colours to facilitate interaction and retention 10. Situation – Make sure learners get a map of the environment in a glimpse, without needing to scroll 11. Aesthetics – Ensure a consistent , quality “look" throughout 12. Recognition – Use standard icons and symbols that can be understood easily 12 Guidelines for designing engaging eLearning environments for Generation Y learners (Eva de Lera, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya)

8. Search - Provide shortcuts for learners

9. Clarity - Use lively and bright colours to facilitate interaction and retention

10. Situation – Make sure learners get a map of the environment in a glimpse, without needing to scroll

11. Aesthetics – Ensure a consistent , quality “look" throughout

12. Recognition – Use standard icons and symbols that can be understood easily

Thank you Mark Harrison [email_address] +44 (0)7789 717 028 www.kineo.com