Adapting to the Alpha Generation’s Learning Style

As teachers, we try to find a way for our learners and address their needs and wants. 

If you have been teaching for some time, you may have noticed that over time your learners and their learning style have changed. 

And what worked for your learners, let's say, 10 years ago, may not be effective now.

And in order to teach effectively, we should have a clear idea about our learners, their characteristics and the peculiarities of their learning style.

In this article, we are going to take a closer look at the new generation of learners and how we can adapt our teaching methods to suit their learning style.

The current generation of learners who were born between 2010 and 2025 is called Alpha generation. 

This is the first generation born and grown up entirely in the 21st century.

They are also named “Digital Natives” due to the fact that they are growing up in the world, completely reliant on technology. 

Overall, this generation was influenced by several important milestones. 

First of all, the year this generation began to be born coincides with the launch of the first Iphones and Ipads. 

Therefore, it is considered to be the first generation who hold a gadget in their hands before they start walking or speaking. 

Apart from that, as children, this generation experienced Covid-19 lockdowns which forced them to learn online.

Let’s discuss the ways in which the Alpha generation is different from Millennials or Generation Z and how it is reflected in their learning.

First and foremost, it is the Alpha generation’s comfort with technology. 

As a result, they have highly developed digital skills and are overall tech-savvy. 

In its turn being tech-savvy enables Alpha generation learners to have access to information. 

Since they can discover a lot of things online, they may falsely believe that they do not need the teacher anymore. 

This fact can partly explain their low engagement in the learning process. 

At the same time, having access to the information makes learners curious and willing to discover more. 

Apart from that, researchers state that Alpha generation learners tend to learn what they value and what they show a genuine interest in. 

This can be explained by the fact that the surge in the use of social media with visual content — YouTube, Instagram, Tiktok —  coincided with the years of the generation’s growth. 

Talking about interactive learning, Alpha generations learners prefer various activities that promote collaboration and include teamwork.

Having outlined some major Alpha generation characteristics, let’s discuss what we, teachers, can do to develop their potential more effectively.

Enhancing learning with technology

Alpha generation learners give preference to the use of technology in the learning process, for instance. 

It will also keep the learners engaged and motivated in learning.

Visual and interactive learning

Make use of various visual aids when presenting new material. 

It will help you increase the learners’ engagement.

The learning environment that emphasises teamwork, collaboration and interaction with others, even online, is extremely favourable for Alpha generation learners.

Personalised learning

Find out more about your learners: their interests, strengths, learning preferences, learning pace, etc. 

As a result, you will be able to adjust the learning process to suit your learners’ needs and styles.

Promoting innovation, discovery and creativity

As we have mentioned, Alpha generation learners tend to learn what they value and what appeals to them. 

In order to sustain their interest and make them curious, see if you can use technology for various creative tasks, e.g. digital storytelling, multimedia projects, doing some research and discovering something new.

Including real-world tasks

Aim to relate the use of technology to real-life and actual situations and problems, e.g. via project learning or problem solving methods. 

The understanding of how your learners can put the obtained  into practice will motivate them even more.

Developing critical thinking and digital literacy skills

Alpha generation learners use technology on a daily basis both for learning and their life outside school. 

It will enhance their academic success and will also make them socially responsible digital citizens.

As you can see, Alpha generation learners have unique characteristics and features which make them distinctive from other generations. 

Therefore, understanding these characteristics and using them to tailor the learning process will eventually benefit both learners and society.