The 5 Golden Rules of How to Teach Gen Z

Gen Z students, born between the second half of the 1990s and the early 2010s, are characterised by their digital native status, with a craving for collaboration, a desire for autonomy, and a strong emphasis on mental health. They’re a unique generation whose traits require a rethink in the way educators teach them.

Gen Z is a cohort headed for a digital, remote workforce that prioritises ideas and innovation above uniformity and presenteeism. Understanding these differences is crucial for educators to effectively engage and teach Gen Z students. Here are five golden rules to steer educators in the right direction.

Encourage a Culture of Face-to-Face Collaboration
A heavy focus on social media and digital communication means that face-to-face interaction and effective communication skills can be underdeveloped in some members of Gen Z - not to mention the aftereffects of several years spent in isolation as a result of the pandemic.

To counteract this tendency, educators should actively foster collaboration among Gen Z students. Group projects, peer learning activities, and collaborative assignments not only enhance academic understanding but also cultivate essential teamwork skills.

This isn’t to say that social media and digital communication should be rejected entirely. Instead, digital platforms can be harnessed as tools for positive collaboration, providing spaces for students to share ideas and resources, and support each other's learning journeys. By creating an environment that values collective effort, educators empower students to navigate the complexities of interpersonal relationships, both in and out of the classroom.

Embrace Technology
Gen Z is the first generation to grow up with technology at their fingertips. To effectively engage and teach them, educators must embrace and integrate technology into the learning process.

Traditional teaching methods are no longer sufficient: interactive whiteboards, educational apps, virtual reality, and online platforms are now indispensable tools. Leveraging these resources makes learning more dynamic and engaging, and prepares them for the digitally-driven world they will face beyond the classroom.

Technology also opens the door to personalised learning experiences tailored to individual student’s needs, ensuring that each student can progress at their own pace.

Provide Choice in Learning Pathways
Gen Z students tend to value self-expression and individuality above all else. To cater to this characteristic, educators should provide students with choices in their learning pathways and projects. Allowing students to select topics of interest or decide on project themes fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility for their education.

By offering a variety of learning options, educators recognise the diversity of learning styles within the classroom, catering to different strengths and preferences. This can help students build their confidence as they discover their unique ways of acquiring knowledge.

Encourage Creativity Through Unique Lesson Formats
Gen Z is bombarded with information on a daily basis, thanks to the internet and social media. As a result, they are adept at processing vast amounts of information quickly, but can easily get bored with unimaginative lessons that fail to capture their attention.

Teachers should design lessons that are interactive, varied, and capture attention quickly. Breaking down information into smaller, digestible segments can help maintain engagement.

Integrating creative projects, such as multimedia presentations, artistic expressions, or real-world problem-solving scenarios, challenges students to think beyond the conventional boundaries of education.

Address Mental Health Pressures
The past few years of learning through a global pandemic coupled with the constant connectivity brought about by technology has had a significant impact on Gen Z’s mental wellbeing. To combat these challenges, creating a supportive and empathetic classroom environment is essential.

Implementing mindfulness practices, offering mental health resources, and promoting open discussions about emotions are all essential building blocks that can contribute to a positive atmosphere.

After all, it’s a teacher’s job to impart knowledge, but that knowledge can go beyond mere academia to include topics like fostering emotional intelligence and resilience. As the saying goes: ‘We have a moral obligation to educate not only the brain but also the heart.’

Wil Massara is a young social entrepreneur, whose journey began at the age of eleven. At 15, he founded the Youth Leadership Academy Australia (YLAA), revolutionising youth leadership nationwide. YLAA is now the largest youth-led provider, impacting over 30,000 lives and earning the trust of 1000+ schools.