1. Teaching Strategies for the Millennial Adult
C. Denise Hancock, PhD, RN, LCCE
Assistant Professor
William Carey University

2. Disclosures
Purpose: The purpose of this activity is to enable the learner to identify key characteristics of the Millennial generation and develop strategies to engage and connect with Millennial adults
Target Audience: Registered Nurses

3. Objectives By the end of this activity, participants will be able to:
Explain the concept of generational differences
Compare personal generation and characteristics to the Millennial generation
Describe common learning styles and preferences of young Millennial adults
Identify at least 3 potential strategies to adapt teaching and learning activities

4. Culture
“that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man [or woman] as a member of society”
Sir Edward B. Tyler, 1871
(Campinha-Bacote, 2007)
Photo source: Wikimedia Commons. From Popular Science Monthly 26 (1884): 145. Public Domain

5. What is a Generational Cohort?
(Strauss & Howe, 1991)

6. Strauss & Howe’s Generational Theory
Each era is 80 year cycle with 4 archetypes
Idealist
Reactive
Civic
Adaptive
(Strauss & Howe, 1991)

7. Generational Theory – Today’s Cohorts
Baby Boomer
Generation X
Millennial
Post Millennial
1997 -
Idealist
Reactive
Civic
Adaptive
(Pew Research Center, 2015; Strauss & Howe, 1991)
NOTE: Sources disagree on dividing birth year boundaries by as much as 5 years.

8. Let’s
compare

9. Post-millenials now about 61 million.
Source: Pew Research Center tabulations of the 2014 March Current Population Survey from the Integrated Public Use Microdata Series (IPUMS)

10. Millennials: the most diverse adult cohort
Source: Pew Research Center tabulations of the 2014 March Current Population Survey from the Integrated Public Use Microdata Series (IPUMS)

11. Millennials are different. 1 in 4 claim no religious affiliation
12%
Have at least 1 immigrant parent
1 in 4 claim no religious affiliation
Lowest rates of marriage (28%) & military service (3%)
1 in 5 is Hispanic
(Pew Research Center, 2011)

12. Enough with numbers.
What happened?

13. Baby Boomers
(Photos from various sources in public domain)

14. Generation X

15. Millennials

16. Post-Millennials (Generation Z?)

17. Millennials

18. Millennials’ lives are shaped by technology
“Digital natives” who are techno-literate, techno-fluent, even techno-dependent
Typically use 5+ technologies per day
97%+ have cell phones
8 in 10 sleep with cell phone
Instant access communication is the norm (text/IM)
49% of young adults use messaging apps like WhatsApp, Kik, iMessage or SnapChat
(Mr Youth & RepNation Media, 2015; Pew Research Center , 2015)

19. Millennials are the heaviest users of social media
82% on Facebook
55% on Instagram
32% on Twitter
27% on Pinterest
22% on LinkedIn
(Pew Research Center , 2015)

20. Family and parenthood are important to Millennials. Marriage
Family and parenthood are important to Millennials. Marriage? Not so much.
60% raised by both parents / 40% not
44% think marriage is obsolete
30% say successful marriage is a priority
Expect and want gender-neutral family roles
More than half say being a “good parent” is a priority
Typically have good relationships with own Baby Boomer or Gen X parents
May even live in parental home
(Pew Research Center, 2010; Ray, 2013)

21. Social connections center on peers & families
Social connections center on peers & families. Strangers and celebrities also influence decisions.
Social media sites are used to create and maintain community.
Rely heavily on consumer review sites (Yelp, Google, LivingSocial, Groupon, etc.)
“crowdsourced decision-making”
(Boston Consulting Group, 2015; MrYouth & RepNation Media, 2009; Pew Research Center, 2010)

22. Who doesn’t influence them? Experts!
Millennials report that, on average, their purchasing decisions are influenced by 5 people (compared with 3 for Baby Boomers).
Who influences them?
59% friends,
52% partners,
51 % parents,
33% strangers, and
23% celebrities.
Who doesn’t influence them? Experts!
(Boston Consulting Group, 2015)

23. Core Millennial Values
Both genders are egocentric.
High value on things such as appearance , wealth, professional success, status, luxury, consuming, adventure, excitement, and travel.
Engage in multiple modes of self expression
1 of 5 have posted a video of themselves online.
4 of 10 have a tattoo (or more)
1 of 4 have a body piercing (other than ear)
(Boston Consulting Group, 2015; Pew Research Center, 2010)

24. Gender Differences in Values
Males place greater importance on external recognition.
status, professional success, luxury, craftsmanship
Females more likely to espouse intrinsic and psychosocial values.
disconnecting /unplugging, fitness, simplifying, tradition, stability, locally grown, home, local communities, family, spirituality, wellness, saving, naturalness
(Boston Consulting Group, 2015)

25. How do Millennials describe themselves?
(Boston Consulting Group, 2015)

26. 83 million millennials are in prime child-bearing years!
Big impacts coming for families, communities, and healthcare systems.
83 million millennials are in prime child-bearing years!

27. Key Pregnancy & Birth Trends (U.S. 2013)
4 million births per year
Mothers are getting older, mean age 26 at 1st birth
Birth rates for young mothers at historic lows (26.5 for teens and 80.7 for mothers in 20s)
Highest birth rate for mothers in 30s (98.0)
Lowest birth rate for mothers in 40s (10.4)
Mothers are likely to be unmarried (40.6% births)
More twins! (Historic high rate of 33.7)
Note: Birth rates are per 1,000. (CDC, 2015)

28. Financial impact of childbirth
Childbirth is single largest reason for hospitalization in the U.S.
Costs are reported to be high and growing
Researchers and policy experts are beginning to publish reports pushing for cost containment
1) Wide Variation Found In Hospital Facility Costs For Maternity Stays Involving Low-Risk Childbirth. Xiao Xu, Aileen Gariepy, Lisbet S. Lundsberg, Sangini S. Sheth, Christian M. Pettker, Harlan M. Krumholz, and Jessica L. Illuzzi Health Aff July : ; doi: /hlthaff ) Am J Public Health Apr;103(4):e doi: /AJPH Epub 2013 Feb 14. Doula care, birth outcomes, and costs among Medicaid beneficiaries. Kozhimannil KB1, Hardeman RR, Attanasio LB, Blauer-Peterson C, O'Brien M.
Image Source:

29. Mixed success covering Millennials with private insurance
Private insurance usage for birth has declined last 10 yrs
Black, Hispanic and Teens more likely to use Medicaid.
Among employees < 26 yrs, 83% are eligible for insurance but “take rate” only 44% (compared to 69% overall) (ADP Research Institute, 2015)
Possible reasons
Premium affordability
Some may still be on parental insurance
Although the ACA offers options, millennials have low health insurance literacy (Wong et al, 2015)

30. Millennial characteristics - Health literacy
Historically, health education provided in high school
Curriculum cuts eliminated health education for many
Researchers found strange contradiction. HS seniors had low health content knowledge but higher application knowledge (Lloyd et al., 2013)
Where is it coming from? Internet, social media, advertisers?
Seems to be a GAP for accurate, accessible health education

31. Putting research-based information together to reach Millennials
Millennials are brand-sensitive
“Digital natives” who seek information from multiple sources
online research, consumer review sites, social media networks, & word-of-mouth referrals.
Respond best to messages close to the care decision, such as online advertising and targeted location messages
Prefer instant access communication

32. Teaching & Learning

33. Principles of Adult Learning Theory
Adults need to be involved in the planning and evaluation of their instruction.
Experience (including mistakes) provides the basis for the learning activities.
Adults are most interested in learning information with immediate relevance to job or personal life.
Adult learning is problem-centered rather than content-oriented.
(Knowles, 1990 as cited by Billings & Halstead, 2012)

34. Learning styles & preferences
Setting/Learning environment
Format (Technology)
Social connections

35. Setting / Learning Environment
Millennials tend to prefer informal settings with norm of equality.
Should be comfortable & aesthetically pleasing
Consider café-style, rather than classroom or round table
Plan for music and multimedia usage in your setting
Create learning environment that is both physical and virtual.
(Bracy, Bevill & Roach, 2010; Roberts, Newman & Schwartzstein, 2012; Roehling et al., 2011)

36. Is the learning environment welcoming?
Millennials are the most diverse generation, but also have subgroups. Who is your population & do they feel welcome? Consider:
Age ranges
Unmarried partners / co-parents
LGBT parents
Racial and ethnic groups
Religious traditions and sects
Primary languages other than English
Are friends, parents, and other extended family welcome? How do you engage them?

37. Format (Technology) ASK adults about preferences and practices
Paper handouts are passé among most Millennials.
Print books may or may not be used.
Learn how to use current technologies and media
Content may be the same, but how you organize, present and share it will change.
Vary the type of technology used, with other activities.
Recognize that Millennials are sophisticated users, and will have high standards and expectations for technology usage.

38. What is your technology value-add?
Emphasize opportunities for additional help and support
Post available resources on an easily-accessible electronic site.
Set clear expectations and boundaries for communication.
Millennials have little patience with delays or resources that are difficult to obtain. They may expect you to be available 24/7 by or text.
Millennials need guidance and focus to identify information sources that are reliable and accurate.
Keep in mind: Google is the most used electronic resource
(Nichols, 2008 ; Roberts, Newman & Schwartsztein, 2012)

39. Social Connections Social networks are critical to this generation.
Encourage adults to collaborate and connect with you and each other.
Remember that peers, partners, parents, strangers & celebrities influence decisions.
How can you “link in”?

40. But I’m from a different generation…
Seek to understand Millennials without judgement.
Be open. Avoid assumptions about motivation, resources, values, preferences, etc.
Avoid references to the past that may have little relevance to current learners.
Millennials respect older generations, as long as they perceive mutual respect.
DO share your life experiences, your philosophy, and your passion. It will enhance your impact.
(Bracy, Bevill & Roach, 2010; Roberts, Newman & Schwartsztein, 2012; Roehling et al., 2011)

41. Summary
Our purpose today was to help you identify key characteristics of the Millennial generation and develop strategies to engage and connect with Millennial adults.
Our objectives were enable you to:
Explain the concept of generational differences
Compare your personal generation and characteristics to the Millennial generation
Describe common learning styles and preferences of young Millennial adults
Identify at least 3 potential strategies to adapt teaching and learning activities

42. Taking it home.
What are 3 things you can do to adapt your own practice?

43. Contact me. Denise Hancock, PhD, RN, LCCE dhancock@wmcarey.edu
(504)

44. Suggested Resources
PEW RESEARCH CENTER – Generations and Age Research at
Take the quiz! How Millennial Are You?

45. References
ADP Research Institute (2015) ADP Annual Health Benefits Report. Retrieved from
Billings, D.M. & Halstead, J.A. (2012). Teaching in Nursing: A Guide for Faculty (4th Ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Saunders
Boston Consulting Group (2015). How Millennials are changing the face of marketing forever. Retrieved from
Bracy, C., Bevill, S., & Roach, T. D. (2010). The Millenial generation: Recommendations for overcoming teaching challenges. Allied Academies International Conference: Proceedings Of The Academy Of Educational Leadership (AEL), 15(2),
Campinha-Bacote, J. (2007). The Process of Cultural Competence in the Delivery of Healthcare Services: The Journey Continues. Self-published.
Centers for Disease Control (CDC), (2015). Births: Final Data for National Vital Statistics Reports , 64( 1). Retrieved from
Lloyd, T. Shaffer, M.L., Stetter, C., Widome, M.D., Repke, J., Weitekamp, M.R., Eslinger, P. J., Bargainnier, S. S. & Paul, I. M. (2013). Health knowledge among the millennial generation. Journal of Public Health Research, 2(1): 38–41. doi: /jphr.2013.e8
Mr Youth and RepNation Media (2009). Millenial moms 101: Why millenial moms are supplanting college students as the most connected and technology dependent population. New York, NY: RepNation. Retrieved from
Nicholas, A. J. (2008). Preferred learning methods of the millennial generation. International Journal of Learning, 15(6),

46. References, continued.
Pew Research Center (2010) Millennials: A portrait of Generation Next. Washington, DC: Author. Retrieved from
Pew Research Center. (2011) The Generation Gap and the 2012 Election. Washington, DC: Author.
Pew Research Center (2015). Comparing Millennials to other generations. Retrieved from
Pew Research Center (2015) Mobile Messaging and Social Media Retrieved from
Ray, J.A. (2013). Today’s young families: Successful strategies for engaging millennial parents. Childhood Education,89(5)
Roberts, D. H., Newman, L. R., & Schwartzstein, R. M. (2012). Twelve tips for facilitating millennials' learning. Medical Teacher, 34(4), doi: / X
Roehling, P. V., Vander Kooi, T. L., Dykema, S., Quisenberry, B., & Vandlen, C. (2011). Engaging the millennial generation in class discussions. College Teaching, 59(1), 1-6.
Strauss, W. & Howe, N. (1991). Generations: The History of America's Future, 1584 to New York: William Morrow and Company.
Wong, C.A., Asch, D.A., Vioya, C.M., Ford, C.A., Baker, T., Town, R., Merchant, R.M. (2015). Seeing health insurance and HealthCare.gov through the eyes of young adults. Journal of Adolescent Health, 57(2), 137–143.