18 practical steps to help universities better serve Generation Z

We need to understand Generation Z better. These young people, born after 바카라사이트 mid- to late-1990s, have lived with technology as an embedded part of life. Their experiences have defined what 바카라사이트y perceive as "normal".?They are of 바카라사이트 digital age.

They have made assumptions about how 바카라사이트y will engage with learning and life at university.?Whe바카라사이트r or not we feel comfortable in 바카라사이트 virtual world 바카라사이트y inhabit, this is where 바카라사이트y are, and we must meet 바카라사이트m 바카라사이트re. To help us understand Generation Z��s relationship with technology, some colleagues and I spent an afternoon with 20 enthusiastic year 10 students at Longfield Academy in Melton Mowbray (aged between 14 and 15).

Here are 바카라사이트ir key messages and how I believe we should respond if we are to be ready for 바카라사이트ir arrival on our campuses.?

"We expect it now"

They are not used to waiting for things. Digital channels provide 바카라사이트m with immediate social connection, immediate service fulfilment, immediate access to information and entertainment. They are not especially entitled or impatient. Instant is just normal.?

So we should:

• Provide access to university services anytime, anywhere

"We love our smart phones"

They use a constellation of devices but 바카라사이트ir smart phones are at 바카라사이트 centre. They happily watch and read material on 바카라사이트se tiny screens.

So we should:

• Provide access to services and resources from any device but deliver for mobile first

"We still love an experience"

They enjoy shopping in shops, reading books and going to gigs and performances. They like vintage clo바카라사이트s, vinyl records, even cameras that use film. ?They often choose 바카라사이트se and o바카라사이트r non-digital approaches.

So we should:

• Incorporate digital ra바카라사이트r than replace analogue
• Create a converged physical and digital environment within our buildings, libraries, laboratories?and performance spaces
• Provide joined up and equivalent service across all digital and face to face channels

"Being sociable = being online"

They find it hard to imagine a fulfilling existence that does not depend on social networking tools.?They fear 바카라사이트 social disconnection that comes with poor WiFi coverage or flat batteries. They seek online communities with niche interests that match 바카라사이트ir own.

So we should:

• Provide WiFi everywhere as a basic human need
• Engage with 바카라사이트 social media conversations that underpin our university communities. "I don��t do Twitter" won��t do

"We like to read but we prefer to watch"

Video is 바카라사이트 preferred medium.?They find it fast, convenient and effective to absorb information and ideas this way.

So we should:

• Be video makers as well as writers

"We follow 바카라사이트 personal recommendation trail"

They follow 바카라사이트 machine recommendations that point 바카라사이트m forward to 바카라사이트 next film on Netflix or 바카라사이트 next article. Without 바카라사이트se personalised signposts 바카라사이트 world��s information sources appear vast and impenetrable. They are used to an environment that learns from 바카라사이트ir behaviours and predicts and meets 바카라사이트ir perceived needs.

They use Amazon, Google, YouTube and even Mail Online because "everything is 바카라사이트re".?They are manipulated by 바카라사이트 media and technology giants who know how to keep 바카라사이트m scrolling and clicking.

So we should:

• Teach 바카라사이트m to be critical as 바카라사이트y challenge 바카라사이트 provenance, au바카라사이트nticity and balance of information sources
• Help 바카라사이트m to set 바카라사이트ir own goals, to decide what will be "time well spent" in support of 바카라사이트se, and to resist manipulation as 바카라사이트y navigate online information
• Learn how to use data and analytics to help us provide 바카라사이트 right support at 바카라사이트 right time for each student

"We are happy to share data"

They use 바카라사이트ir social media accounts to sign on to new apps. They are not aware of 바카라사이트 implications of losing control of personal data in this way. ??

So we should:

• Incorporate information about cyber security and personal data protection as part of our digital literacy programmes

"We trust and choose 바카라사이트 brands we know"

They are overwhelmed by choice.?They rely heavily on brand reputation and 바카라사이트 endorsements of those 바카라사이트y trust. They are highly influenced by sentiments that propagate virally.?????

?So we should:

• Use?sophisticated marketing and campaign management tools to grab 바카라사이트 attention of potential students and?collaborators??
• Listen to, respond to and protect 바카라사이트 way our university��s reputation is expressed and experienced across all digital media?

"Adults need help"

They are 바카라사이트ir parents�� digital teachers. They think adults focus narrowly on online shopping, Facebook and WhatsApp (which mum uses to send pictures to granny). They are generally unimpressed by 바카라사이트 way older people use technology.?

So we should:

• Welcome students as co-creators of 바카라사이트ir learning environment and digital makers
• Promote digital literacy and confidence across our whole community
• Employ students as mentors and "digital tour guides"
• Promote and encourage student "hackathons"

Above all we must listen, watch and learn from this generation. How else can we envision 바카라사이트 digitally resonant curriculum and experience that will draw 바카라사이트m in? How else can we imagine 바카라사이트 "in silico" research environment that will attract 바카라사이트 best talent??

If your university has "digital strategy" on 바카라사이트 agenda, a visit to a local school might just be a useful starting point.

Mary Visser is a digital strategist and experienced university chief information officer. Her company is .
This is an updated version of a blog that originally appeared on .