In a study of Millennial undergraduate students, convenience and speed made Google their first choice, followed by human sources, such as parents and friends (Connaway et al. 2008). When Millennials did use library sources, they tended to use electronic sources and often were unaware that they came from the library (Connaway, Lanclos, and Hood 2013b). Millennials also associated the authority of information sources with convenience, particularly sources their tutors, teachers and library staff identified, including syllabus-based websites (Connaway, White et al. 2013). These sources were convenient because they were recommended by trusted third parties and were integrated into the students’ workflows. Convenient information selection also was based on Millennials weighing the cost of their time against the benefits of their potential grade on assignments (Connaway 2008, 2013b; Connaway and Radford 2007, 2011; Connaway, Lanclos, and Hood 2013b; Connaway, Lanclos et al. 2013; Connaway et al. 2008). Information searches were curtailed as a result. The undergraduates only did the minimum search necessary to meet their assignment requirements. In other words, they satisficed. Satisfice is a combination of the words satisfy and suffice. Herb Simon (1957) coined the term to explain how individuals often settle for whatever can be accomplished within specific, predetermined criteria based on the context and situation of the need. In other words, individuals often settle for “good enough” instead of pursuing the optimal solution if convenience outweighs the benefit. Connaway, L.S., & Faniel, I.M. (2014). Reordering Ranganathan: Shifting user behaviors, shifting priorities.
Instructors should be reminded that the current student population consists primarily of Gen Z-ers or the iGeneration (born after 1995 and raised by Gen X). Here are some pointers to create the best possible training for this upcoming generation from Shift Learning:
