Pixel International Conferences

Through qualitative research, data were collected using semi-structured interviews of 76 pupils ages 12-18. The research study attempts to answer the question: what are the expectations of millennial (Generation Z) youths from Bible study classes in public schools. Results show that Israeli pupils in nonreligious public schools prefer and expect Bible studies to be conducted utilizing three teaching and learning methods:

1. Literary criticism and high-order thinking
2. Experiential manner of teaching
3. Tools for acculturation through creation of moral identity forming discourse

The expectation of many of the participants in the research is for instruction that invites expression of opinions and critical thought through dialogue and class discussion. The pupils’ expectations are contrary to traditional teaching that is focused on the content per se, which according to the research participants causes them to disassociate themselves from the subject matter. As befitting millennials in the Digital Age, the participants did not express interest in amassing content knowledge, but rather in the stimuli of experiential teaching that includes media, technology, drama, stories and games, all in contrast to the prevailing conservative teaching approaches that they claim causes them to be disinterested. The pupils’ perceptions and expectations calls for the planning and execution of teaching based on critical and high order thinking, with emotional and cognitive processing of cultural humanistic content that is relevant for molding young adults’ cultural identity.

Keywords: Humanities Instruction, Teaching Methods, Authentic Learning, Generation Z, Digital Age;