After more than a decade studying the Millennial generation, the Pew Research Center observed in 2018 that the oldest of this generation were going to turn 38 years old and decided to establish another generational cut to continue investigating the characteristics of the new young people. Thus, this prestigious research center determined that people born between 1981 and 1996 would be considered Millennials, and those born after 1997 would already be considered a new generation, popularly now known as Generation Z. From the dictionary Merriam-Webster even Google trends have already introduced this concept in their posts.
A detailed Hubspot study highlights some important characteristics of this generation, some of which we collect here:
In the same vein, a Linkedin study on generation Z and learning highlights the following elements:
Another study by the consulting firm McKinsey highlights that the search for the truth is at the center of the behavior of the people of this generation. They value individual expression, avoiding labels, as well as deeply believe in the efficacy of dialogue to resolve conflicts and improve the world. And while the millennials were called the "Me generation" the Z are called the "True Gen".
In an attempt to explain who and what Gen Z are, this FORBES article details that while millennials started the multiscreen trend, Zs can control up to 5 screens at once. They communicate better with images, create content, look to the future and are realistic. The article explains that this generation stands out for being self-taught, self-sufficient and creative. Most pursue a job that impacts the world, volunteer and show concern for the impact that human beings have on the planet. They are used to solving problems and needs in a personal and focused way. 72% do not think to receive orders from a boss, they are willing to undertake and be their own bosses.
If we look for example in university settings, Pearson published a very detailed infographic of the perception of this generation in relation to education:
Following the analysis of trends in education, a report by eLerarningIndustry, details 9 elements that will shape the education of the future::
The OECD report “Trends shaping education” with a long-term vision, makes the following reflection:
Examining the future of education in light of global trends is key to ensuring that education contributes to the full development of individuals as competent individuals, citizens and professionals. In a complex and rapidly changing world, this could involve updating the content of education, as well as re-imagining the forms of service delivery, including the reorganization of formal and informal learning environments.
At the CIB we look to the future and design learning experiences that respond to the demands and characteristics of these new generations, as well as facilitate interaction with older people who also study with us. At the Culinary Institute of Barcelona we have created an experiential ecosystem, where age is not a determining factor, attitude is.
In a professional environment, both the youngest and the oldest will interact, so the CIB offers them the ideal environment to get to know each other and develop the skills that will allow them to perform as well as possible professionally.
And we do all this with our own methodology, which has been inspired by models such as Harvard's ManageMentor or Design Thinking popularized by IDEO, giving great relevance to the development of creativity and innovation in a transversal way.
We propose a 360º model, centered on the student, which takes into account knowledge, skills, attitudes and possibilities.
For this reason, the CIB has been designed with the diversity of settings that allow students to have very different learning experiences throughout a day or a week. From very practical and specific sessions, demonstrations by experts in a specific technique or product, debate and discussion sessions around a topic, workshops on lateral skills, creativity and innovation, to autonomous or team learning spaces and field trips to learn about the real professional environment.
We have adapted the challenge-based learning model to offer transversal learning experiences that integrate different subjects and that invite students to relate knowledge and skills to a specific objective. Some of them are proposed without knowing the possible solution. And, furthermore, these challenges have become one of the essential parts of the evaluation process.
In this search for educational transversality, in response to the needs of professionals in the 21st century and as illustrated by the new trends in education, on our mid-horizon is the elimination of subjects as content containers. In an uncertain, volatile and ever-changing professional context, only those people capable of detecting possibilities in their environment and putting into practice and applying knowledge, skills and attitudes in real situations, will be the ones who will make progress. And this happens by developing a transversal 360º vision, understanding the interactions at all levels and developing a curiosity and interest in the changes that the future holds.
On the other hand, although at a macro level the student can already choose his training itinerary and spend from 3 months to almost 4 years choosing in what and how he wants to train at the CIB, we want that at the level of each program there is also this customization capacity and choice, and that each student can choose some more specific lines of specialization that respond to their needs and interests.
Finally, this customization will be reinforced with the offer of complementary online capsules, which will be transversal added value elements for all our programs. This format allows the student to choose from a diverse offer and also choose when they want to consume them (on the bus, in the subway, in the kitchen, etc.) from any device, choosing the themes that best suit their interests and needs and complement the program you are studying at CIB.
Several weeks of confinement and an unprecedented global crisis will be the starting point for many changes. Those organizations that were already looking to the future will find it easier to adapt and offer flexible and adaptable environments that respond to these needs and to many more that we still do not know today.
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