Gen Y – why the fuss?

I have read a great deal about the different generational groups and it is interesting reading but should we be concerned as trainers about what this means to learning and education? I think that maybe there is too much emphasis on the generational differences at time. We all have brains and we all learn essentially the same way (despite learning preferences). I tend to think that if you are an interesting, challenging and engaging trainer all age groups will respond to you in a positive way and learn. Gen Y may have a different way at looking and responding to the world but so did you when you were younger.

I will say though that as a trainer we could all do more to understand their world. How it looks to them and how it works for them. We could be a little more tolerant of the world they exist in rather than being bound by our own perceptions of the world. Personally I like their world. Here is some recent information on what Gen Y’s buy. It might give you some insights.