Your Guide to Creating Online Courses for Generation Z
People go crazy over Millennials (between 21 and 41 years old). We make it sound as if these guys have suddenly emerged to disrupt our world. We’re 20 years too late to think like that. The truth is that we’re going to go through a real disruption when Generation Z surfaces if we don’t start prepping now. This is how to create online educational courses for Generation Z ( those currently between one and 21 years old).
Here’s the Difference Between Generation Z & Millennials
A sample of 1,000 US students, either enrolled in or recently graduated from college, shows major variations between Millennials and Generation Z. Here’s what they said.
Gen Z is more connected than Millennials on social media while more likely than Millennials to use personal connections, rather than directories to conduct business and to give higher priority to their career.
This is What to Do for Generation Z
They’re different from Millennials, but we know that Generation Z also loves bite-sized educational information and are self-motivated. This is how to appeal to their preferred learning styles.
1. Break Lengthy Classes Into Multiple Short Courses
If you’re accustomed to creating one hour(s)-long course, it can be a bit baffling to consider including your course data in smaller portions. But, if you what Gen Z to eat it up, this is exactly what you should do. These kids enjoy courses that fall between 10-15 minutes. if you have a 45 minute course, cut it into three to four new courses, delivering the information in sections.
2. Consider Leveraging Apps in Your Strategy
When it comes to eLearning and Gen Z, mobile is king. These kids are the children of Millennials, raised in a mobile world. To reach them, you have to integrate mobile strategy into your courses. Try tools like DesignJot, which claims to be the first app for course designers. This app was created to help newbie and experienced instructional professionals to create trainings to share with students.
3. Start Thinking Like a Gen Zer
This self-motivated group doesn’t plan on staying with one company long term (seriously). Instead, they believe one to three years is an appropriate amount of time to spend at a job. To Generation Z, the term “career” means “self-development.” When you compile course materials, change your word use from a tone that says, “employers will love X,” to, “You will learn how to X.” This will increase course engagement.
4. Remember to Encourage Self-Study
Don’t send students to a specific ebook or article to read. Instead, include parameters for research and allow your students to find facts for themselves. Do you consider Wikipedia a valid source, or is peer-reviewed data required? Let students know what you expect, but allow them to make their own discoveries.
Conclusion
Gen Z is significantly different from Millennials. When they start pouring into your courses, know what they desire. Integrate the ideas above into your course materials. This is how you’re going to keep course engagement up with Generation Z.
About the Author
Janice Kersh is a freelance writer and content marketer currently engaged with Essay Writer company. She loves reading, traveling and cooking.