The Complications of Educating Millennials

Thesis: It is more complicated to educate Millennials than it was for previous generations because of the differences in their upbringings, their different approaches to learning, and the different economic conditions under which they live.


Body paragraph:

We have heard older generations complain about the Millennial Generation. We hear that we are self-centered and lazy. However, this is not just the Millennial Generation’s fault. Let us not forget who gave them everything they wanted, told them that they are important for no reason, and that they should not care what others think. It was their parents and members of the previous generation who “spoiled” them. We are facing the problem that Millennials are self-centered. They do what they want without caring how it affects others. This trait is involved in students who are rude, and those who distract others in the classroom by being disrespectful to teachers and allowing their phones to interrupt the class. They also think that the world revolves around them and that they deserve the best. This trait affects with how Millennials are taught in school. There is one professor for dozens of students, and they all want his or her attention. Also, students demand what they want and complain when they are given work. They need to understand that a teacher is not their servant, but someone who is there to give them knowledge. Keep in mind that teaching is their only job. Many schools however, require the teacher to do more than that. They now have to care about the student’s feelings, nurture them, listen to them and try to deal with them when they are not in their best behavior. Magda Alvarez, a second grade teacher, recalls when her generation went to school. She declares: “When I was in school teachers were respected and you were given instructions once and once only. We had to pay attention or else.” Years ago, people had the belief that children were meant to be seen and not heard. Now, professors must listen to a child complain and figure out what is it that is interfering with the child’s learning. People try to find excuses to their lack of motivation in school. Schools worry too much about the student’s self-esteem, and therefore try to make the students happy at the cost of their own learning. Two professors from the School of Business and Management, Susan Baker and Debra Comer, and a professor from University of Baltimore, Linda Martinak argue in their article, “All I’m Askin’ is for a Little Respect: How Can We Promote Civility in Our Classrooms?” that the Millennials are “…youngsters whose parents praise their mediocre or even substandard performance and shuttle them from one extracurricular event to another become adolescents and young adults who expect others to glorify their ordinary feats and endless entertainment for them.” (68) They are used to getting compliments from their parents for their work even when it is not right that when they get a negative comment from a teacher their heart breaks. This is why some schools banned the red ink pens for grading because it would hurt the student’s feelings. If professors do not give them the grade they actually deserve and tell them what they did wrong, teachers will only prevent the student from improving. Also, professors have to deal with students that are lazy. Students demand a good grade without having to put effort to obtain it. They want less homework and schoolwork and depend on others most of the time. A student that is lazy will not do as much studying and therefore will not do as good on the exams. A way to avoid selfishness and laziness could be by being stricter. Professors should do not have to tolerate misbehavior from students and should make clear the consequences of students not doing their work. Professors must be honest and correct the students if they are wrong.