Accelerating Millennial Learning Through Multimodal Experiences

Accelerating Millennial Learning Through Multimodal Experiences
Experiential training accelerates millennial learning because:
 It incorporates technology that appeals to millennials.
o 87% percent of college students in America now own laptops.
o 55% have smartphones.
 It provides opportunities for practice and development.
o Learning from failure provides quick progress.
o Millennials respond to training with a coaching orientation.
Experiential learning incorporating technology accelerates skill acquisition. Experiential
learning, as the phrase indicates, means learning through doing and reflecting on the experience
(Kolb, 1984). While this educational model has been supported and used over the last few
decades, millennials respond particularly well to it both because it has been used throughout their
entire education and because it facilitates interaction and collaboration, which are characteristic
traits of this generation (Hay, 2000; Howe & Strauss, 2000; Tapscott, 1998). However,
experiential learning that incorporates technology is ideal for accelerated learning. There are two
main reasons why.
First, the proliferation of technology has reached the point of becoming pervasive, which
means that experiential learning that incorporates technology reflects current trends. According
to the Chronicle of Higher Education, 87% percent of college students in America now own
laptops, and 55% have smartphones (Young, 2012). Pervasive computing represents the
experiences of millennials, who expect technology to be incorporated into almost all aspects of
the learning process (Basawapatna & Repenning, 2010; Vincelette, 2013). Using millennial
preferences for technology results in more effective teaching because it engages students (Deal,
Altman, & Rogelberg, 2010).
Second, using information and communication technologies (ICT) has been found to
accelerate learning (Park, 2014). The technological facility of today’s digital natives has been
linked to faster language acquisition. In studies of exercises utilizing software and computers,
students have been found to demonstrate accelerated learning of foreign languages (Liontas,
2002). ICT has influenced educational practices by increasing the presence of multimodal
courses. These courses blend a variety of elements like simulations, video and audio materials,
interactive programs, and traditional educational activities like discussion, reflection, and
writing. The advantage of such an approach is that major concepts can be presented in a variety
of modes to appeal to different learning styles (Gilakjani, 2011). Studies on multimodal courses
have found that learners perceive it is easier to learn while attention rates and learning
performance also increase (Sankey, 2006).
Even beyond the blending of experiential learning with technology, the best multimodal
strategies to accelerate learning incorporate practice and coaching. Unsurprisingly, research has
indicated that multimedia courses are most successful when students have the opportunity to
apply what they have learned after the instructional experience (Mayer, 2005). Other research
has demonstrated that activities that involve students learning from failure work particularly well
(Shepherd, 2004). Coaching and feedback enable practice and learning from failure to help
students succeed. Students respond to clear, frequent feedback about their progress that also
identifies and remedies misconceptions while reinforcing positive outcomes (Gee, 2005). Some
research has shown that having a coaching orientation appeals especially to millennial students
(Kutzhanova, Lyons, & Lichtenstein, 2009).
M2M’s training program has incorporated this existing research in the design of a
multimodal learning experience that results in accelerated skill acquisition. iPads play a pivotal
role in this multimodal experience, requiring participants to give real-time feedback to each
other, respond to coaching directions, and practice particular skills. Some research has found that
iPads and tablet technology especially promote experiential learning (Robinson, 2012). Through
the addition of peer coaching and multiple practice situations, students get constant feedback,
learn from both failure and success, and acquire communication skills quickly.
-By Amanda D. Taylor
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