Question

• How might course design differ for baby boomers compared to GenXers? Which design would you prefer and why?

Answer 1

Yes, the course design for baby boomers would be different compared to the GenXers. But the differences would be subtle rather than drastic and should be used in right places. The differences would depend upon following differences between how baby boomers behave and how GenXers behave:

1) Baby boomers like to work in teams. They are typically people who like long meetings and want to discuss about every possible thing. Contrary to this thing, GenXers are typically more individualistic than baby boomers. In fact, excessive team work can irritate them and make them uninterested in their work.

2) Baby boomers are less technologically adept compared to GenXers. They like their courses to be designed in an intuitive way. On the other hand, GenXers are a little more organized compared to Baby Boomers, even though they too aren't exactly technologically adept.

Regardless, the course should instead of focusing too much on which generations it is serving, should focus on whether it is relevant in the current scenario or not, whether the course is fulfilling its purpose or not and whether the students are enjoying it or not. Following points can be kept in mind while designing courses for these two generations:

1) For GenXers, the course should containg a majority of individual components. Yes, they can be taught to work in teams, but too much of team work could alienate them, and therefore, contrary to baby boomers' courses consisting lots of team exercises, courses for GenXers should be more individual in nature.

2) For baby boomers, course should be designed in a technologically primitive manner. For GenXers, this can be a little advanced, though even they aren't exactly technologically adept.

3) For both of these generations, courses should be such that inculcate in the people a feeling of challenging the authority. People of any generation want to challenge authority and want to change the order. This is more the case with GenXers tan Baby Boomers.

I like the GenX more as I am more of an introvert in nature, and hence prefer to do things individually. That is not to say that I hate working in teams, but I prefer doing things my own way without interference of anyone. Also I like to change the way things have been done for ages and try out various methods to do the same work, making me more suitable for GenX model of course design.