Gen Z and Alpha: Crafting Learning Experiences for Tomorrow's Leaders
Gen Z are the teenagers and young adults of today, born between the late 1990s to the early 2010s. Right after them, come the Alpha generation, born from the 2010s onwards.
They're growing up with smartphones in hand, using voice assistants, and watching videos that are 7 seconds or less! There is a surprising statistic that indicates Alpha is more likely to pick YouTube as a platform over Insta or Snapchat - indicating the power of video. Here are the key differences between Gen Z and Gen Alpha that brands and agencies need to understand - Digiday
As they grow up in a world buzzing with technology, how they learn and what they need is quite different from earlier generations.
Gen Z and Alpha are used to swiping on screens before they can read. That means old-school methods, like learning from thick textbooks, won’t keep their attention.
They're more into:
Interactive Apps: Fun games and apps that teach as they entertain.
Taking Action: Uncovering knowledge themselves, real-time problem solving and testing their skills as they learn
Virtual Reality: Imagine learning about your company’s history by visiting it virtually!
However, it's not just about the tech. We also need to understand what's on the minds of Gen Z and Alpha:
Global Connection: They're growing up in a connected world with friends all over the planet.
Social Issues: From climate change to inclusivity and equality, they're passionate about making the world better and prefer to align themselves with companies and brands that commit to social impact: Gen Z & Corporate Activism: How Gen Z’s Social & Environmental Concerns Drive Their Spending & Relationships With Business - YouthSense
Mental Wellbeing: They're more open about feelings and wellbeing and driving positive change as a result.
To support them, we need:
Flexibility: Some might want to learn in groups, others solo. Some might be early birds, some night owls. Some learn by reading and watching, others learn by doing. Access to ‘always-on' learning that is flexible to youths’ needs is a must.
Real-world Skills: As well as traditional industry and workforce skills, they should learn real-world skills related to their role like handling money or understanding & managing difficult emotions and circumstances.
Encouragement: It's not just about grades and KPIs. Celebrating their unique talents and interests is what builds authentic connection and loyalty in the modern world.
Gen Z and Alpha are the future, and it's up to us to give them the best start. By understanding their world and needs, we can craft learning experiences that not only educate but also catalyse action and motivate these generations to take initiative and be proactive in their pursuits.
Here's to creating a bright future with and for them!
Need more?
Want to learn more about engaging Gen Z and Alpha in learning experiences that will actually engage them? Get in touch.
About the author
Tricia Martin is an FYA Young Social Pioneer and an Australian Women Leading Tech Finalist. She also coached an Under 9’s netball team in her local community, which she thinks is just as impressive. She continually looks for ways to use technology, behavioural science and digital experiences to meet people’s needs and find people-centred solutions to messy problems. She spends her free time reading sci-fi books, scouring thrift stores and watching Buffy for the fifteenth time.
