Implementation of findings of generation theories in engineering studies

Abstract

M. McCrindledetermined generation borders and defined them sociologically.A lot of answers were found out about the peculiarities of nowadays students initiating changes in the study process at a higher school and education in general. The aim of the article is to assess the findings of generation theories and to analyze the opportunities of their implementation in higher education, and particularly in engineering studies. Cultural, historical, technological differences and their cross-influenceare analysed in the article in the context typical for each generation. Particular attention is paid to Generation Zbelonging students' habits and values. It is stressed in the article that Generation's Z challenges will be life in a dinamically changing world with various catastrophies, ecological and demographic crises, development of IT, including artificial intelligence as well as opportunities to choose the form of work (distance, at any time, regular). One of the main tasks of Generation Z will be to take complex decisions and solve problems for dynamically changing uncertain future. Therefore, a study at Jelgava Secondary School No. 5 had been carried out. The survey reflected answers of 55 respondents on motives of the choice of a profession and work values. 77 Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (LLU) first year engineering students' survey was done on their spending time in the Internet, relations with authoritarian teachers and expression of ideas freely.41educators of the LLUparticipated in the study analysing their strong and weak sides, opportunities and threats in relation to Generation Z. Studies had been done in the period from 2016 to 2018. Considering the theoretical and empirical results recommendations for the improvement of engineering studies were worked out.