ERIC Number: EJ1484645
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025-Sep
Pages: 8
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1052-2891
EISSN: EISSN-1536-0717
Available Date: 2025-09-01
Instructional Design and Facilitation for Multigenerational Online Learning in Higher Education--Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z
Brittany Hyden1; Catherine A. Cherrstrom1
New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education, n187 p15-22 2025
Nontraditional students represent a substantial number and significant percentage of students in higher education. While these adult learners have similarities, they also span 50+ years with generational differences. At the same time, online learning is on the rise, offering opportunities and challenges for nontraditional students and those who teach them. At the intersection, faculty can leverage generational intelligence and adult education theory for effective instructional design and facilitation in online learning for younger and older adults. Today's online classrooms include baby boomers, Generation X, millennials, and Generation Z, each with distinct historical and cultural influences, characterizations, learning preferences, and experiences and relationships with technology. Relevant adult education theory includes andragogy, self-directed learning, experiential learning, and self-efficacy. Informed by intergenerational intelligence and adult education theory, four recommendations for multigenerational or intergenerational online learning are discussed.
Descriptors: Instructional Design, Electronic Learning, Online Courses, Intergenerational Programs, Older Adults, Adults, Young Adults, Adult Learning, Adult Education, Adult Students, Higher Education, Nontraditional Students, Curriculum Design, Student Characteristics, Distance Education
Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www-wiley-com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-us
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Adult Education; Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: 1Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas, USA

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