Adult Learner Generational Mix Summary

Laura Holyoke and Erick Larson, the authors of “Engaging the Adult Learner Generational Mix”, have researched the ways the current generations today tend to learn. The three distinct generations being focused on in this article are the Baby Boomers which were born between 1943 and 1960, Generation-X born between 1960 and 1980, and Millenia born between 1981 and 2002. Holyoke and Larson have noted that “in the workforce, as well as in higher education, current literature pertaining to adult learners tends to lump all adults into the same category” (2009). In order to find the best way to teach each of these generations, the work needs to be personalized for that certain generation’s needs. Each generation has their different ways of learning; they are “influence by historical events, cultural
When I am not interested in a certain topic, I find myself not exactly rushing to get the work done. I usually wait until it is the last assignment I need to finish. And with everything that I need to get done through the week, I can definitely relate to one of the adult learners in the research, who explained they were struggling to stay on top of their homework while also having to work and gaining stress from that environment. Also it is not often when I find my reading assignments connecting to my personal experience, but when I do I really am focused on it and am more willing to read it. I however, do not agree with the assumption of the Millenia generation’s motivation to learn. I can often find motivation even if I am not interested in the topic or if I am learning something new at work; but I do agree that as I get older, internal motivation really helps me, especially my confidence. Since my generation is the one that seems unmotivated and lacks curiosity to learn new material, that pushes me more to become a better learner and do more than what is expected of the Millenia