Wilson Teaching Learning And Millennial Students Summary

In “Teaching, Learning, and Millennial Students,” Maureen E. Wilson (2004) in her article published in New Directions for Student Services examines the literature to make recommendations to educators on how to enhance teaching and learning in college. Wilson (2004) is no newcomer to the classroom; in fact, she uses her expertise and experience as a student affairs director to cite evidence from scholars and experts in education and learning effectiveness to document how good practices in education are promoted through student interaction with the learning environment, asserting that this engages and motivates students. However, Wilson (2004) is examining studies that are dated as far back as 1987. Wilson (2004) makes a compelling argument …show more content…
59), which is the basis for her examination. In spite of the two conflicting messages, Wilson’s (2004) overall objective is successfully communicated as she emphasizes strategies educators can integrate in the classroom that mirror and complement the characteristics of today's generation of learners in various learning environments. First, Wilson (2004) effectively defines Chickering & Gamson’s (1997) seven principles then she organizes her findings in a well-structured, clearly enumerated examination of each principle in the first five to six pages of her research. She uses descriptive topic and paragraph headings throughout to reason with the reader and show the relationship of each principle to student characteristic emphasizing how effective learning experiences are created when students are actively involved in the learning …show more content…
However, it is this learner’s observation that although Wilson (2004) is not introducing new strategies or principles to enhance student learning; she has done an excellent job expounding on Chickering & Gamson’s (1997) seven principles to enhance student learning. These studies have been around for years as evident in Barr & Tagg's (1997) research. Wilson (2004) has expertly refocused previous research in her research and findings and well documented her findings based on the literature, which has proven successful over the years. In this evaluator's opinion, Wilson’s (2004) recommendations are implementable and have proven effective in the classroom in all learning environments. Also, considering, today's digital era and the Millennial Generation of new college goers, engagement is an important component of learning to keep not only Millennials engaged, but also supports Barr & Tagg's (1995) research that higher education needs a paradigm