2009 manitoba teachers’ society student, citizen, community – beyond the 3rs michelle dagnino...
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2009 Manitoba Teachers’ Society
Student, Citizen, Community – Beyond the
3Rs Michelle Dagnino
Schooling for the Click n’Go Generation:
Engaging with Students in Changing Times
About meCurrent Director of Youth Venture
Encourages young people (ages 12-20) to start and lead their own organizations for the betterment of their communities
Youth Venture enables young people to learn early on in life that they can lead social change.
Former Child Labour Coordinator of ILO organization
Former ED of Youth Action Network
Demographics
the 4 x 5 factorThe 10-29 group divides into four equal five-year
cohortsAge Male / Female
(number)
Male / Female
(% of population)
10-14 2,104,800 6.6
15-19 2,145,800 6.6
20-24 2,243,300 7.0
25-29 2,194,300 6.8
TOTAL 10-29 8,688,200 27
Home Offers Less 80% of them come from families
with only 1-2 children at home60% of women work out of home67% of unmarried 20-24-year-olds
live at home
Psychographics
Getting into Adulthood Earlier…
Average age of educational enrollment: <4Average age of 1st menstruation: 10-11 (vs.
12+)Average age of 1st cigarette: 13Average age of “school-type” decision: 14Average age of 1st intercourse: <16 (vs. <18)
…but Fully Getting There Later…Average age at graduation: 26 (vs 24)Average age of 1st marriage: 29 (vs 25)Average age of 1st childbirth: 29 (vs 26)
What They ValueRelationshipsCommunicationInformationDiversityEmpowermentAnd what sews it all together…Technology
Technology Veterans:
Use, Comfort & Integration
[Forrester Research]: “The net powered generation has
internalized the Internet and uses it instinctively.”
[Fortino Group Research]: Current 10-17 year olds will spend
1/3 of their lives (23 years) on the Internet.
[Yankee Group Research]: By 2008, 80% of teens will own a
wireless phone.
More on Diversity:
“The racial and ethnic diversity of the Millennials
will change our society more than any other characteristic of this
generation.”
…so remember, it’s a high churn group
They’re moving! The only constant is change…
…rather than looking at fads, we try to look at trends
The best way to connect isn’t to segment them into tribes or to try to catch the latest thing, but to understand their values
Issues to Address
Diversity of needs, experiences and backgrounds
Everything fast, everything now Expect to be able to do everything
through/with technology Need specific direction and guidance
The Greatest Influences
PeersPop Culture/Media
ParentsSiblingsMentors
“I feel like I have a lot to contribute, but I don’t know where to start, or whether
anyone cares.”
“I feel like my [favorite] musicians understand me better than anyone else
does, even my friends.”
I wasn’t going to buy it, but then two of my friends showed up with that same brand,
and I felt like I had to get it too.”
Influences: Pop Culture Millennials are exposed to pop culture in ways
no previous generations could have dreamed possible.
They are bombarded with conflicting images and sound bites of, for example, Britney Spears, Iraqi prisoner abuse, Tiger Woods, Mickey Mouse, George Bush, Quinton Tarantino, the atrocities in the Sudan, Pamela Anderson, Michael Jackson’s child abuse court case, MTV, Martha Stewart, Oprah Winfrey, Lacy Peterson, and JLo, in no particular order or organization.
Keepin’ it RealThe “hip hop culture” has permeated popular
culture in an unprecedented fashion. Because of its enormous cross-over appeal, the hip hop culture is a potentially great unifier of diverse populations. Although created by black youth on the street, hip hop's influence has become worldwide. Approximately 75% of the rap and hip hop audience is nonblack. It has gone from the fringes, to the suburbs, and into the corporate boardrooms. Indeed, McDonald's, Coca Cola, Sprite, Nike, and other corporate giants have capitalized on this phenomenon.
A desire for social justice A campus must still offer deliberate
classroom and out-of-class opportunities for student personal awareness and exploration to take place.
Provide opportunities to explore meaning and purpose of their life.
For example: They are ecologically minded. 10:1 majority feel their generation will do the most to help the environment in the next 25 yrs
Shifting Our Perception
The Golden Rule
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
(assumes similarities)
Titanium Rule
Do unto others, keeping their preferences in mind.
(accepts diversity)
Common beliefs that drive inclusive education
Common understandings Young people are experts about
their own lives
Common understandings Students should have
opportunities to educate, collaborate with and learn from their peers and teachers
Common understandingsSchools should provide more than
just formal educational opportunities – they should also be avenues for learning about being better citizens in the world
Common understandings Students should feel engaged and
inspired to make a difference
Common understandings Students need positive and
consistent adult role models
