This document discusses the characteristics of the Millennial generation born between 1982-2002. It draws on research from Howe and Strauss (2000) who define Millennials as having a positive outlook and reacting against the perceived excesses of Baby Boomers. Millennials are described as "special," sheltered, confident, team-oriented, and high-achieving. The document also notes that Millennials are frequent users of technology and social media. It argues teachers should make curriculum more interesting and challenging and integrate cutting-edge technology to engage Millennial students.

1. Who are you? The 21st Century Learner Millennnial Generation

2. In order to understand teaching in the 21st Century we will first discover the 21st century learner

3. Generation Theory Howe and Strauss (2000) propose that generations form in patterns, not linearily Not ALL cohorts share the commonly held traits They break from previous generation Fulfil the gap left by the vacating older generation Howe, N., & Strauss, W. (2000). Millennials Rising: The Next Generation. New York: Vintage Books.

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5. Subverting the paradigm: the Millennial Generation The Millennials (Howe and Strauss, 2000) Born from 1982 to 2002 Reversing the tendency toward dysfunction and disengagement found in Gen X and Baby Boomer youth Positive outlook on school, family, risk, career and politics React against the perceived excesses of the baby boomers Filling the social role left by the departing generation (World war II, GI.) Howe, N., & Strauss, W. (2000). Millennials Rising: The Next Generation. New York: Vintage Books.

7. Millennialsdefined Howe and Nadler (2008), Howe (2005) I am ‘Special’ – to parents and society, raised in an era where attitudes toward children emphasize greater child protection, in schools, homes and communities Sheltered – helicopter parents who schedule as many opportunities as possible for their special children Neil Howe. (2005, September). Harnessing the Power of Millennials. School Administrator, 62(8), 18-22. Retrieved January 7, 2011, from ProQuest Education Journals. (Document ID: 898481801). Howe, N., & Nadler, R.. (2008, April). MILLENNIALS RISING. Leadership for Student Activities, 36(8), 17-21. Retrieved January 7, 2011, from Research Library. (Document ID: 1466374001).

8. Millennials... Confident, conventional Define success in terms of balance between family and career Team oriented/community building/ collaborators social media experts High achieving/ pressured (possibly overscheduled, wanting to meet expectations) Howe, N. (2005, September). Harnessing the Power of Millennials. School Administrator, 62(8), 18-22. Retrieved January 7, 2011, from ProQuest Education Journals. (Document ID: 898481801). Howe, N., & Nadler, R.. (2008, April). MILLENNIALS RISING. Leadership for Student Activities, 36(8), 17-21. Retrieved January 7, 2011, from Research Library. (Document ID: 1466374001).

10. Enter technology Millennials queried in the survey [Microsoft] reported using a wide variety of technology tools and services every day, including mobile phones (89 percent), smartphones or PDAs (20 percent), MP3 players (71 percent), text messaging (83 percent), and instantmessaging (75 percent). The Web also featured prominently in their responses, as Millennials frequent social networking sites(87 percent), conduct Web-based search(92 percent), access Web-based e-mail (88 percent), conduct research using online Wikis(59 percent), and post to personal blogs(28 percent) or their own Web sites (26 percent). http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Microsoft+Issues+First+Global+Survey+of+Millennials+and+Banking...-a0189168275 2008 survey 2009 news story

11. Great possibilities! Today’s young people are smart, teaming up, hardworking, confident and doing well The curriculum needs to be more interesting and challenging Students more engaged with teachers and each other Where ever possible integrate classroom experience with cutting edge networked technology (Howe, 2005) Neil Howe . (2005, September). Harnessing the Power of Millennials. School Administrator, 62(8), 18-22. Retrieved January 7, 2011, from ProQuest Education Journals. (Document ID: 898481801).