Millennial Research vs. Generation X Research

Most students today use the internet as their main form of research, but students of past generations used much different methods of researching. To really see the differences, we must take a look at both generations and compare them. The term “research” seems like such a simple word to define. In reality, “research” probably means a variety of things to different people, depending on who you ask. Generation X students (1965-1979) have a completely different outlook on research than Generation Y or, Millennial, students (1980-2000) do. The bettering of technology has played quite a large role in the changes in research over the years. The learning styles of students have changed as well and it is becoming harder and harder to connect with the students. Compared to decades ago, research today has become so easy that we take advantage of the fact that we have all the knowledge we need at our fingertips. In the next few paragraphs, we will learn how to engage the new Millennial student and how they differ from Generation X students. We will also see how Millennial students function when researching.

One of the main reasons Generation X students and Millennial students have different learning styles is because of technology. Technology has changed the way teachers and professors teach students effectively. Generation X students rely on human experience and hard research while Millennial students are more networked and civic-minded.

         When it came to finding resources for research, Generation X students, in comparison to Millennial students, had fewer choices. Libraries were the only way of “looking up” anything that was newsworthy, or worth learning about. Radio used to be the only form of news or entertainment, but then the television came about, which then gave Generation X students an easier way to obtain information and news without leaving the home to look for it. Newspapers were another form of information that came straight to their homes before the evolution of technology and, to this day, they are a popular way of gathering as much information as one would want. All the things that affected the world were at their fingertips. It seemed that you didn’t have to go outside your own house to get information.

 With research methods being so different and students learning to take advantage of the internet, the work ethic of today’s students, Millennial students, changed as well. With the advancement and easy access of technology, Millennial students have become somewhat lazy and rely mainly on the internet when it comes to their research and work. Because of the difference in ways Millennial students learn from how Generation X students learn, it has become almost imperative for teachers to change their methods of teaching as well. According to Amy Novotney, "Four ways in which teachers have changed their methods in order to help Millennial students with their work and research consists of: involving multimedia, having more of a relaxed atmosphere, making their teaching more relevant, and exploring new teaching methods." Teachers are starting to make their courses completely online and giving online handouts for homework. Trying to reach the students seems to be one of the biggest tasks of teaching.

Another difference between the two generations would be learning preferences. Millennial students are much more experimental learners and want to work with others in groups or class activities, whereas Generation X prefers a much more structured and by-the-book classroom and would rather study on their own than with a group. Overall, Millennial students are a more laid back generation when it comes to their research and work. Most Millennial students prefer to only use the internet, and want the quickest and easiest way to get things done.

            Now that we have covered the different styles of learning and research between Millennial and Generation X students, we see how those methods carry on throughout high school, college, and their work life. More Millennial students have enrolled in school and graduated than Generation X students have. In the millennial age, a high school diploma will not get someone a well-paying job to provide for a family, although it did for Generation X. For Millennial students, a college degree is a requirement simply for being interviewed for a good job.  

             Millennial and Generation X students have different styles of research and daily function. Between advancements in technology and teaching styles, the Millennial students have made gains on education and research abilities that can benefit the next generation. Technology has grown over time, which the Millennial generation has lived with and is used to, whereas Generation X does not fully embrace the art of technology. The Millennial students have resources that surround them for help on any type of researching, which gives them a leg up on Generation X. Millennial students and Generation X have different ways of living, mainly due to the introduction of technology, but they are more similar than they appear.          

Meet the authors of this post:  

Heather Sageser- I am a freshman now, attending DACC for two years and I am majoring in business.

After DACC I plan to transfer to Southern Illinois University in Carbondale.

Jacob Hayn- I am in my first year at DACC, on the golf team, and planning on receiving a degree in Criminal Justice.

Debbie Goodlove – I am in my second year at DACC after 20 years in the work force.  I am studying nursing sciences and mathematics and plan on attending nursing school in the spring of 2014.

Samantha Grimes- I am a freshman at Danville Area Community College. I’m majoring in Accounting. I am in the United States Marine Corp. I’m a Chicago Bears fan.

Nathan West – I am in my first semester at Danville Area Community College. My major is currently undecided. I am from Indiana. 

We chose this specific topic since we have both Millennial and Generation X group members. Our group found this topic interesting because study, research, and teaching methods have had to change with each generation shift. Technology had a big part in this, and the fact that no one else chose it.