S tudents from Generation X not only adhere to a new set of priorities, they also have an unprecedented educational history. Many Generation Xers have grown up watching Sesame Street and educational programs that are presented in a glitzy, advertising-based style. By the time they are in college, most have logged more time in front of video displays than reading books. In response to student demand, many business schools are extending class periods to permit weekly instead of twice-weekly attendance. The resulting longer class sessions require pedagogical variety to maintain class attention, particularly for evening programs.
Innovation is needed to retain student interest and stimulate discussion.
Growing numbers of students in our classes speak English as a second language. Especially for students educated outside the U.S., it can be a struggle to absorb concepts solely by lecture. These students can benefit substantially from visual anchors and humor to help them grasp abstract concepts and engage in classroom discussion. These needs have led us to develop a supplement to traditional pedagogical methods.