3 Gen MZ Education Trends

3 Millennials and Gen Z Education Trends

The adage that learning never ends is especially true today, as education aimed at developing expertise spans a myriad of sectors. A diverse range of educational programs are being designed to cater to various professions, disciplines, and industries. Educators and administrators are in constant pursuit of refining educational content and methodologies to enhance learning efficiency. Traditional education often entails direct instruction from educators to students, but contemporary approaches increasingly incorporate team-based activities and project-specific learning. Among these modern strategies, three education trends stand out within the Millennials and Gen Z. This discussion will cover these trends and methods, offering insights for those seeking effective educational approaches.

PBL Education

The first Millennials and Gen Z education trend to introduce is Project-Based Learning (PBL) education. PBL education is a learning method centered around real-life problems and projects. Learners set goals and plans themselves and learn through the process of solving concrete practical experiences to produce the final results.

The concept opposing PBL education is Problem-Centered Learning, a traditional education method where the problem is the means, whereas in PBL education, the problem is the purpose. Due to this difference, PBL education presents problems as a way to start learning, and learners find solutions to the problems on their own. In contrast, in traditional problem-centered learning, problems are given to assess learning, and instructors convey the necessary content for problem-solving through lectures.

Advantages of PBL Education

The reasons PBL education has emerged as a Millennials and Gen Z education trend are as follows:

Learner-Centric Environment

PBL education does not involve one-sided knowledge transmission through lectures. Instead, learners’ activities are the essence of learning. Learners set their own learning goals and plans, taking responsibility for their learning. As a result, they can develop problem-solving skills and simultaneously set their own direction for learning.

Self-Directed Learning

Through PBL education, self-directed learning skills can be developed. Learners can acquire new knowledge through self-learning and research, accumulating expertise for the future.

Practical Focus

This is a significant reason why PBL education is considered a major trend among Millennials and Gen Z education. Most traditional education methods have the drawback of being theory-focused and not well-utilized in the field. In contrast, PBL education brings real-world problems for simulation, allowing learners to learn the knowledge needed in practical situations. Learners can derive their own answers, cultivating the abilities required in practice.

PBL Education Examples

Elice conducts project-based education utilizing in-house data. Through project education, practitioners can solve real-world problems, immediately applying knowledge to practice. The customized PBL education optimized for businesses significantly contributes to solving real-world issues and enhancing skills. Elice supports an all-in-one education platform with features such as online 1:1 solutions, data recording, lectures, practical exercises, and pair programming, allowing learners to accumulate practical project experience effectively. If you’ve been concerned that education doesn’t transition well to practical applications, I recommend exploring more about PBL education through the link below.

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Flipped Learning

The second Millennials and Gen Z education trend to introduce is Flipped Learning. Flipped learning, also known as flipped classroom, reverse learning, or reverse instruction, is an education methodology that literally flips traditional teaching. Before class, students are provided with video lectures to learn on their own, and during class, they work on unsolved problems or engage in advanced learning activities together.

Unlike traditional education where learners first encounter knowledge in the classroom and deepen their learning through review or assignments after class, Flipped Learning enables learners to pre-learn content online before class and engages them in deep learning activities through interaction during class. Like PBL education, Flipped Learning transitions from instructor-centered to learner-centered learning.

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Advantages of Flipped Learning

The reasons Flipped Learning is gaining attention as a Millennials and Gen Z education trend are as follows:

Providing Learning Methods Suitable for Student Levels

If students do not understand the pre-learning content, they can review or seek additional help from online content until they fully understand it. Unlike traditional teaching, where falling behind in the curriculum can make it challenging to catch up, Flipped Learning allows personalized learning at the appropriate level for each student.

Actively Utilizing the Advantages of Online and Offline Learning

Flipped Learning repeats online learning followed by offline learning. Therefore, it can take advantage of both online and offline learning benefits.

Cost Savings and Increased Learner Engagement

Through online content, learners can review whenever they want, enhancing the autonomy and engagement in learning. Additionally, by conducting pre-learning with online content, more immersive learning is possible when offline programs are held.

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Blended Learning

Lastly, the Millennials and Gen Z education trend to introduce is Blended Learning. If you experienced the COVID-19 situation during your university days, you are likely already familiar with this education method. Blended Learning is a mixed learning method that combines two or more learning methods, typically combining face-to-face and remote classes.

As mentioned earlier, Flipped Learning also combines pre-learning and post-learning activities. However, Blended Learning can be considered a higher-level concept than Flipped Learning. Flipped Learning is included in the ‘cyclic model’ among the four types of Blended Learning.

There are four types of Blended Learning models: Cyclic Model, Flex Model, À La Carte Model, and Virtual Learning Enhancement Model. The Cyclic Model operates face-to-face and remote classes at designated times. The Flex Model is primarily conducted through remote classes, but certain activities (exams, entrance ceremonies, etc.) are held in person. The À La Carte Model is based on face-to-face classes, but some subjects, such as elective courses, are offered online. The Virtual Learning Enhancement Model involves conducting only essential subjects in face-to-face classes and teaching the rest through remote classes.

Advantages of blended learning

As a Millennials and Gen Z training trend, blended learning has the following advantages.

Personalized, learner-driven training

Like the previous methods, blended learning puts you in the driver’s seat. If you didn’t understand the in-person class, you can learn online afterwards. Also, by utilizing various IT technologies (big data, artificial intelligence, etc.) that can be used online, you can customize the training according to the learner’s level and interest.

Efficient training

Since there are fewer time and space constraints than traditional education methods, it is possible to run efficient classes, especially during national disasters such as the pandemic. Since offline education is also conducted in parallel, it is easy to manage students and guide their learning.

This article has highlighted three instructional approaches gaining traction in the education of Millennials and Gen Z. Selecting the appropriate teaching method is crucial for educational effectiveness. If you’re planning to embark on educational initiatives, we encourage you to adopt the method that best aligns with your circumstances, guided by the insights provided.

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