What makes personalized learning the perfect choice for Gen Z?
For many years now, we’ve seen businesses change their corporate culture, training programs and values ​​to accommodate millennials, a generation that has swarmed workplaces around the world. However, a few years have passed and a new generation of employees is making its professional debut, Generation Z. Although only a few years separate one group from the other, the rapid technological advancement of students has significantly differentiated the way they view learning. on an educational and professional level. If you want to help the newest members of your organization reach their maximum potential, this article is for you. Read on to find out why more and more companies are using personalized learning for Gen Z employees.
What is personalized learning?
Before we dive into the ever-popular Gen Z, let’s start by defining what personalized learning is. At its core, personalized learning refers to an instructional technique that aims to help educators, tutors, and instructors identify a student’s unique needs, interests, and abilities and create a customized learning path that works for them. Since no two students have exactly the same gaps, skills, and future goals, it’s easy to see that a wide variety of methods can fall under the category of personalized learning, from adaptive and blended to project-based and student-directed learning. Whichever method or model you use, the important thing is to let the learner’s experience, knowledge, and preferences guide the learning process. Achieve this and your students will not only acquire knowledge faster and more efficiently, but also retain it for longer.
Who is Generation Z?
What exactly do we mean when we talk about Generation Z? Gen Z, Zoomers, iGeneration, centennials or post-millennials are some of the many terms used to describe those born between the late 1990s and early 2000s. Although there is some debate about the exact dates, in general, people born between 1996 and 2012 are considered Gen Zers. This generation has been shaped by various major events such as the Great Recession, COVID-19, climate change, as well as the rise of technology, with social media, smart devices, and 24/7 connectivity becoming a staple of their daily lives. .
3 Gen Z traits that make them love personalized learning
As the oldest members of Gen Z complete their education and enter the workforce, they bring their unique habits and skills with them. To understand why personalized learning is so important to their personal and professional development, we need to look at the way Gen Z has grown up looking at learning. Here are 3 Gen Z learning habits that prove personalization is the way to go when it comes to their training.
1. Gen Z learns by doing
Seeing how connected they are to their screens, one might think that Gen Zers aren’t very active learners. However, this is far from true. In fact, research shows that Zoomers thrive in an active learning environment that allows them to interact with others and apply their knowledge in a practical way. They make mistakes and learn from them. For this generation, knowledge equals experience. Moreover, they really value the ability to be autonomous in choosing the direction of their learning journey. Their habit of combining information from multiple sources helps them create unique learning experiences.
2. Gen Z Learns On-Demand
No other generation has ever had easier access to information than Gen Z. Whatever question they have, they can find the answer in seconds just by Googling. All the platforms they use, from shopping to social media, carefully cater to their needs thanks to intelligent algorithms. It is natural that they expect the same from their teaching. We should also mention their love for information presented in video form. Where previous generations would have read an article, Gen Z prefers to learn new skills by watching videos. Their short duration and helpful visuals make them a great choice for self-directed learning.
3. Generation Z learns together
Many people believe that the newer generations are isolated due to excessive use of technology. But Gen Z is more connected than any generation before it. From a young age, they are used to communicating and exchanging opinions and ideas with people from all over the world. This also applies to their study habits. Research shows that Gen Z places a high value on personal interactions and prefers learning in collaborative environments, whether online or offline. Finally, they are strong advocates of knowledge sharing, making technology the perfect companion on their learning journey.
Connecting through personalization
As Gen Z employees enter the workforce, a new era in employee education begins. Growing up in a world of high-speed internet and constant connectivity, this younger generation is making us realize the necessity of hands-on, on-the-spot learning that encourages collaboration and the exchange of ideas. By harnessing personalized learning for Gen Z, we can unlock their unique potential and pave the way for a workforce that will be more efficient and innovative than ever before.
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