Innovative Teaching for Today’s Colleges & Universities How to Stimulate Generation Z for Future Employment
July 23, 2023
Summary: Examine how innovative teaching will shape the preparation of students for the future of work.
Thomas entered college with a plethora of sports accomplishments. He was recruited by some of the most prestigious universities in the country. However, he was an average student academically, focusing his time where he saw results—primarily in sports. Most of his high school teachers did not take him seriously as a student. Whenever he encountered academic problems, his position coaches would help. However, his athletic prowess could not compensate for his academic shortcomings. Consequently, Thomas ended up at a Division 2 school.
During his first two years of college, he made his mark in collegiate sports, winning numerous individual awards. However, Thomas did just enough work in the classroom to stay eligible. During his senior year, Thomas suffered a major injury that dashed his hopes of entering the NFL. His parents were disappointed, and his coaches were disappointed about his predicament. Sitting at the end of the table was his academic advisor, who had always advocated for a Plan B for Thomas in life.
Today’s students face unprecedented changes in their lives. The pandemic wreck havoc on their educational experience and their career readiness for future jobs. The outlook for higher education was already grim for higher education. Enrollment in accredited colleges and universities has shrunk consistently since 2010 since the rising of online learning. Across most of the U.S., the country projects to have 450,000 fewer students in the years beyond 2025. The pandemic accelerated the pressing problems in academics, not created them. Employers were already skeptical about the preparation provided by U.S. educational system. This article examines how innovative teaching will shape the preparation of students for the future of work.
Caption: Dr. Dunn and Dr. Green are award-winning presenters who want to help faculty build a learner-centered approach to teaching for this generation of students.
Caption: In the ACBSP seminar “Innovative Engagement of Gen Z Students, Dr. Dunn and Dr. Green provided faculty with hands-on experience to engage their students.
Why change the teaching methods for students? American motivational writer Arthur Ward explained about teaching, “‘The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.” Long after the coronavirus ends, the United States and the rest of the world will suffer the consequences. Some universities would prefer to status quo – student tuition revenue model. A few senior-level faculty would possibly prefer little changes to faculty teaching. Yet, disruptive forces are changing academic institutions across the globe, and public perception of the value of education has changed.
According to a Pew Research Center survey, only half of American adults think colleges and universities are positively affecting how things are going in the country these days. About four in ten (38%) say they have a negative impact – up from 26% in 2012. According to AACU, just 62% of employers believe that most or all college graduates possess the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in entry-level positions, and fewer (55%) believe they possess the knowledge and skills required for advancement and promotion. All of these disruptive factors should encourage any reasonable educational institutions for the need to do something different.
What is innovative teaching? Today’s college students are more entrepreneurial, diverse, and techno-savvy than any generation. In fact, Generation Z has never known a world without smartphones and social media, so it’s even more ingrained for them than Millennials. Recent studies on higher education learning achievement have pointed out that student learning outcomes can be significantly improved through increased teaching quality, curriculum design innovation, and optimization of resource equipment. Therefore, student learning engagement is the key to gaining experience and turning it into students’ knowledge capabilities.
Innovative teaching can be defined ‘as the implementation of novel and effective approaches in the field of education to enhance student engagement, learning outcomes, and overall educational experience.” Furthermore, Stephan Vincent-Lancrin, Joaquin Urgel, Soumyajiy Ka, and Gwenael Jacobin, authors of Measuring Innovation in Education 2019: What Has Changed In The Classroom, have been tracking innovative education across the globe. The note, “Educational organizations (e.g., schools, universities, training centers, education publishers) contribute to product innovation when they introduce new or significantly different products and services, such as new syllabi, textbooks or educational resources, or new pedagogies or educational experiences (for example e-learning or new qualifications)….Interestingly, despite the enhanced awareness of the need to develop students’ higher order skills, there has been relatively little expansion in the practices trying to foster them.”
Caption: Dr. Green is empowering the next generation through innovative teaching.
Dr. Jack McCann and I have proposed a new faculty model that integrates student-centered learning amid the disruption caused by the coronavirus in higher education. In our research, we explore a novel faculty model that encourages an entrepreneurial mindset to foster innovation and creativity in the ever-changing landscape of higher education. Creative strategies extend beyond traditional lecture-based instruction. Indeed, most faculty members employ a subject-centered teaching approach, where students are passive learners. In contrast, a learner-centered approach prompts students to participate in their education actively. Innovative teaching is all about engaging students. Such innovative methods encompass experiential learning, flipped classrooms, and business simulations.
Caption: Dr. Green drives innovation to connect with this generation of students.
Below are steps to build effective, innovative teaching:
- Conduct detailed research on innovative teaching.
- Benchmark other institutions for new ideas.
- Build a course strategy.
- Get feedback on your curriculum design from colleagues.
- Obtain feedback from former and current students to enhance the classroom.
- Develop a plan of action.
- Join LinkedIn Groups that add to your professional network.
Employers are searching for the best talent for their positions in today’s highly competitive global marketplace. The former South African President, Nelson Mandela, once stated, “Education is the most powerful tool you can use to change the world.” Unfortunately, some college graduates are not adequately prepared for this challenge. Both the general public and prospective employers acknowledge that there are issues with higher education in the United States. Moreover, students are aware of these problems too. They know the challenges they face in transitioning into the business world. A study by McGraw-Hill Education revealed that only four in ten college students feel incredibly prepared for a future career. This article illustrates how innovative teaching methods can shape students’ preparation for the future of work. Therefore, it is incumbent upon today’s administrators to rectify these issues, ensuring their college graduates are well-equipped for the future. Please do not wait until it is too late.
© 2023 by Daryl D. Green
About Dr. Daryl D. Green:
Dr. Daryl D. Green is a business strategist, speaker, and noted author. He is the Vice President of Marketing at AGSM Consulting LLC. He is the author of the business book Small Business Marketing.
Dr. Green has been noted and quoted by USA Today, Ebony Magazine, and the Associated Press. He provides consulting guidance and management training for today’s small businesses. Additionally, he is an award-winning college professor, developing new innovative approaches for today’s small businesses. If you want more information about this article or business assistance, please get in touch with Dr. Green at drdarylgreen@gmail.com or visit www.drdarylgreen.com.
