1. 2009 Manitoba Teachers’ Society Student, Citizen, Community – Beyond the 3Rs Michelle Dagnino info@michelledagnino.com Schooling for the Click n’Go Generation: Engaging with Students in Changing Times

2. About me Current 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

3. Demographics

4. the 4 x 5 factor The 10-29 group divides into four equal five-year cohorts AgeMale / Female (number) Male / Female (% of population) 10-14 2,104,8006.6 15-19 2,145,8006.6 20-24 2,243,3007.0 25-29 2,194,3006.8 TOTAL 10-29 8,688,20027

5. Home Offers Less 80% of them come from families with only 1-2 children at home 60% of women work out of home 67% of unmarried 20-24-year-olds live at home

6. Psychographics

7. Getting into Adulthood Earlier… Average age of educational enrollment: <4 Average age of 1st menstruation: 10-11 (vs. 12+) Average age of 1st cigarette: 13 Average age of “school-type” decision: 14 Average age of 1st intercourse: <16 (vs. <18)

8. …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)

9. What They Value Relationships Communication Information Diversity Empowerment And what sews it all together…Technology

10. 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.

11. More on Diversity: “The racial and ethnic diversity of the Millennials will change our society more than any other characteristic of this generation.”

12. …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

13. 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

14. The Greatest Influences Peers Pop Culture/Media Parents Siblings Mentors

15. “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.”

16. 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.

17. Keepin’ it Real The “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.

18. 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

19. 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)

20. Common beliefs that drive inclusive education

21. Common understandings Young people are experts about their own lives

22. Common understandings Students should have opportunities to educate, collaborate with and learn from their peers and teachers

23. Common understandings Schools should provide more than just formal educational opportunities – they should also be avenues for learning about being better citizens in the world

24. Common understandings Students should feel engaged and inspired to make a difference

25. Common understandings Students need positive and consistent adult role models

27. www.michelledagnino.com Thanks for your time today ! Questions? Comments? info@michelledagnino.com