New article available for download now; April 2010
Teaching Generation NeXt: A Pedagogy for Today's Learners from the 2009 Higher
Learning Commission Collection of Papers is available for download now, here. Be sure and check out other "Dr. Taylor Articles" via link on left.
Meet Generation NeXt
Understanding, Teaching and Serving Today's Students
The young people of Generation NeXt (up to about 26 years old) are different from previous generations of students. Few schools, colleges and universities understand these differences well enough to respond effectively to bring about meaningful learning and developmental outcomes. (Businesses- follow the link at left to "Business/ Management" programs.)
The products of a technology rich, consumer driven culture, Generation NeXt presents special challenges to the purposes, structures and methods of educational systems; challenges complicated by the generational differences between these young people and the Traditionals, Baby Boomers and Xers who predominate faculty and staff.
For most students there is a serious mismatch between what they want and expect from a school, and what we offer. The expectations by many students of academic success with little effort is distressing and confusing to faculty and staff. Few in academia report seeing the much anticipated "Millennial generation" in significant numbers (conventional conformists respectful of social norms and institutions, trusting of adults, focused on grades and performance, etc.) and many are troubled by the difficulty they are having helping students persist to meaningful learning outcomes, and to graduation.
My programs on Meet Generation NeXt- Understanding Today's Learners and workshops on Teaching Today's Learners are resonating with faculty, staff and administrations at K-12 schools, community and technical colleges, public universities, professional schools and private colleges around the country and in Canada, as well as at conferences and meetings. These programs and workshops help school and college personnel better understand our students from Generation NeXt to more effectively recruit, retain, develop and teach them, and the other students we serve. Specific suggestions and methods are offered to improve services and instruction, both school-wide and for specific audiences from admissions to alumni affairs.
Programs are available from a keynote of under an hour, to longer workshops, to an extended sequence of trainings or consulting relationship. Sessions are individualized to each school and audience, or can be the central stream of a meeting or conference.
Use the tabs at left or contact Dr. Taylor directly to learn more about programs for your school or meeting.
* email mark@taylorprograms.com * call (501) 626-5889 * write 12961 Southridge Dr, Little Rock, AR 7221
About Dr. Taylor
Dr. Mark Taylor is a nationally recognized educator, expert, speaker and consultant dedicated to
helping colleges and universities better understand and serve our students for learning, development, persistence and successful integration into the “after college” world and
businesses and organizations to better manage the multigenerational workplace, and to successfully bring younger workers into productive roles.
Building on over 25 years of experience in higher education, management and the helping professions, Dr. Taylor’s has worked with over 200 schools in 38 states, made presentations at state, regional, and national events, and consulted with business clients like 20th Century Fox, Wal-Mart, the University of Tennessee Hospital and the U.S. Army.
Dr. Taylor holds a Bachelors degree in Psychology and Biology, a Masters degree in Social Work and a Doctorate in Counseling, all from the University of Arkansas. He was most recently the Director of Guidance Services at Arkansas State University at Beebe where he was responsible for counseling, disability, career, testing, academic advising, orientation, housing/ residence life, student activities/ leadership, student success programming and other student services. He left that position in January 2006 to continue his research and programs to improve educational services to Generation NeXt, and the other students we serve, and to assist managers in the workplace. Dr. Taylor has been licensed as a psychotherapist in Arkansas since 1981. He has also worked as a college professor and academic administrator, medical administrator and clinical psychotherapist. His eye-opening perspectives grounded in data and the literature, practical suggestions and humorous presentation style has made him a popular training consultant with numerous schools, colleges and professional organizations.
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