Teaching Today’s Learners: How to Reach Gen Z Students
Who exactly are Generation Z, and what do educators need to know to teach them effectively? At Aussie Edu Hub, we avoid rigid stereotypes about generations — often what defines a group is simply their stage of life. Gen X were once seen as rebellious youth before becoming, in the words of New Yorker writer Emily Nussbaum, “gloomy, curmudgeonly ghosts.” Baby Boomers were revolutionaries in the 1960s before some turned into conservative politicians. Today, members of Gen Z are in their youth, and naturally share many traits of young people in any era.
Still, while generalisations can be risky, there are distinctive traits that teachers should keep in mind when working with this generation.
Who Are Gen Z?
According to research by McCrindle, Generation Z includes those born between 1995 and 2009. They now make up a large portion of school and university students. Gen Z are true digital natives — they’ve grown up surrounded by technology, relying on devices for learning, entertainment, and daily life. They have never known a world without instant connectivity.
Many Gen Z students are also highly politically aware. Growing up during the Global Financial Crisis and ongoing global debates on climate change, equality, and sustainability, they’ve been shaped by a climate of social and environmental urgency. Figures like Greta Thunberg and US activist Emma Gonzalez represent the outspoken, activist spirit of their generation.
Globally, they are often on the progressive side of political divides — for example, many young voters in the UK supported “Remain” during the Brexit referendum. In Australia, record numbers of young people registered to vote ahead of the most recent federal election.
They’re also entering adulthood in a rapidly changing world, where movements like #MeToo have reshaped norms and more countries have legalised same-sex marriage. More than any previous generation, they live in both physical and digital spaces, constantly switching between communication formats — from text messages and emails to Instagram and beyond.
How to Teach Gen Z
While Gen Z share some traits with earlier generations, there are unique aspects to how they learn.
They value authenticity and question what they see.
Growing up in an era of “fake news” has made them naturally sceptical of overly polished or manufactured content. They tend to analyse and verify information rather than accepting it at face value.
They are pragmatic and entrepreneurial.
Compared to Generation Y, they’re often less idealistic and more realistic. Their tastes sometimes lean towards darker themes in books and TV, but they pair this with creativity and a readiness to embrace technology for innovation and change.
What This Means for Learning
1. Face-to-Face Is Back — But Redefined
Gen Z values direct interaction, though “face-to-face” can mean through a screen. For them, video calls and live chats count as personal communication.
2. Immediacy and Accessibility
Known as the “YouTube generation,” they expect just-in-time learning — flexible, engaging lessons that can be accessed anytime, anywhere, and applied immediately to real-world scenarios.
3. Success-Oriented Learning
Being pragmatic, many Gen Z learners focus on skills that will help them succeed now and in the future. For some, this means valuing practical knowledge over formal tertiary study. They’re drawn to clear success criteria and want to understand the purpose behind what they learn.
4. Personalised, Interactive Education
As noted by Australian academic Erica McWilliam, Gen Z thrives in personalised learning environments. They appreciate interactive teaching, 1:1 tutoring, and frequent feedback. They see teachers as partners in learning — “co-directors” and “co-editors” of their educational journey.
The Challenge for Educators
Teaching Gen Z means shifting from traditional, one-size-fits-all approaches towards more customised and collaborative methods. At Aussie Edu Hub, we recognise the need to move beyond questions with answers easily found on Google, towards tasks that demand critical thinking, creativity, and authentic problem-solving.
By engaging students in co-creating their learning and giving them ownership of the process, we can prepare them to thrive — not just in exams, but in life.
