Tips for Understanding Millenial and Digital Native Students

Madison, Wis.—May 29, 2008 — Now that colleges and universities have had some time to work with the first wave of Millennial and “digital native” college students, it’s important to take stock and learn more about how we can begin to work with these students more effectively.

During a May 29 online seminar, Dr. Jerry Pattengale, who speaks and writes nationally on Millennials and student success, shared research, best practices, and motivational techniques that take into account this generation’s unique characteristics.

Pattengale reviewed the implications these characteristics have for admissions, campus life, classroom instruction, and student activities. For example, many Millennials have been sheltered by their parents and are used to living in a “rule-bound world,” Pattengale said. As a result, when it comes to campus life, they expect “no-nonsense enforcement policies” and are “inclined to say rules don’t go far enough,” he said.

In addition, the seminar included
• illustration of two motivational techniques--the “wedge principle” and “crossroads application”--that can help Millennial students reach greater success
• video cameos of well-known student success scholars, including J. Bradley Gardner, author of A Brief Guide To Teaching Millennial Learners, and John Braxton, co-author of Understanding and Reducing Student Departure
• a quiz about Millennials’ characteristics and links to additional resources about generational differences

If you missed the live event, you can order the program in CD or print transcript format, both of which include the presenter's handouts.

Magna Publications is a leading publisher of newsletters and other information products in the higher education segment. Magna also manages onsite and online conferences on topics of interest to higher education.

For more information please contact David Burns, Publisher, Magna Publications, Inc., at 608-227-8109, or dburns@magnapubs.com.