{"id":321,"date":"2021-08-18T17:27:26","date_gmt":"2021-08-19T00:27:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/malat-webspace.royalroads.ca\/rru0202\/?p=321"},"modified":"2021-08-18T17:31:32","modified_gmt":"2021-08-19T00:31:32","slug":"thoughts-from-a-geriatric-millennial","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/malat-webspace.royalroads.ca\/rru0202\/thoughts-from-a-geriatric-millennial\/","title":{"rendered":"Thoughts from a Geriatric Millennial"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"After listening to George Veletsianos\u2019s responses to our cohort\u2019s questions about research, I thought about the human tendency to organize and categorize, and I pondered the generational divides. I remember the first time I heard the term \u2018elder millennial\u2019 and although I did not like the terminology, I accepted it. I decided to do some digging, and when my google search returned an article which referred to the microgeneration of millennials born between 1980 and 1985, of which I am a member, as \u2018geriatric millennials\u2019 (Dhawan, 2021), I was outraged. Pardon me? Geriatric in my late thirties? I think not, thank you very much. That being said, I can confidently check some of the stereotypes off the list (Dorozio, 2021). Side part in my hair, yes thanks. Skinny jeans, of course! Avocado toast, ew (unpopular opinion: avocado toast is repulsive).<\/span><\/p>\n

In all seriousness, though, I would argue that my generational assignment has had a significant impact on how I view learning and technology. I am the generation that knows a world with and without technology. I remember being in junior high and the excitement of getting the internet at home. I remember paying ten cents per text message and waiting until after 9pm to chat with my friends so our calls were free. I remember fighting with my siblings over who got to use our family desktop computer. However, I also know the freedom of accessible technology, the convenience of carrying a handheld computer in my pocket, the power of information at my fingertips. I have two kids, 11 and 3, and they are living a much different childhood than I did. In my lifetime, I have been witness to the impressive advance of technological progress and the resulting societal change. This all leads me to think back to our LRNT 521 discussions of the digital visitors, digital residents continuum (White & LeCornu, 2011) and where each generation may sit on the continuum, but alas, that is another conversation for another time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The swift and enormous societal changes I have been a part of, my experiences thus far in the MALAT program, and my reflections on George Veletsianos\u2019s responses to our cohort\u2019s questions gave rise to a few thoughts. Here is my \u2018geriatric millennial\u2019 take:<\/span><\/p>\n