Author Jean Twenge on teaching the Smartphone Generation Sept. 20 at College of DuPage

Learn about the technological generational gap and techniques to overcome related challenges during "iGen: Reaching the Smartphone Generation in the Classroom" at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, in the Student Resource Center, Room 2000, on the College of DuPage Glen Ellyn campus, 425 Fawell Blvd.

This event, sponsored by COD Liberal Arts Division and Writing on the Edge, the Glenbard Parent Lecture Series and Pearson Education, is free and open to the public.

Author, professor and in-demand speaker Jean Twenge will examine the advantages and disadvantages of technology's prevalence in the lives of current teens and young adults and the resulting intergenerational issues. The talk will include information about consequences for young people, including increased rates of depression and anxiety and how parents and educators can overcome these challenges.

In his Chicago Tribune review of Twenge's book, "iGen: Why Today's Super-Connected Kids Are Growing Up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy - and Completely Unprepared for Adulthood", COD English Professor Tom Fate wrote that Twenge calls to light a crucial element in teaching and raising teens and young adults.

"Jean Twenge makes clear that the iGen's teachers and parents - baby boomers and Gen Xers - have much to learn about the relationship between technology and socio-psychological development in their kids, and in themselves."

A Professor of Psychology at San Diego State University, Twenge is the author of more than 130 published scientific articles and frequently gives talks and seminars on teaching and working with today's young generation to a broad range of audiences, including college faculty and staff, high school teachers, military personnel, camp directors, and corporate executives. She also is the author or co-author of six books, including "Personality Psychology: Understanding Yourself and Others," "The Narcissism Epidemic: Living in the Age of Entitlement" and "Generation Me: Why Today's Young Americans Are More Confident, Assertive, Entitled - and More Miserable Than Ever Before." She holds bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Chicago and a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan.

For more information about this event, contact Jennifer Butler at butlerj61@cod.edu or (630) 942-3802. Seating for this event it limited and registration is recommended. To register, visit tinyurl.com/JeanTwengeCOD.

In advance of Twenge's presentation, the College of DuPage Library, English Department and Faculty Development program will present a free Brown Bag book discussion of "iGen: Why Today's Super-Connected Kids Are Growing Up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy - and Completely Unprepared for Adulthood" from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 11, in the alcove on the main floor of the COD Library. This event is free and open to the public. Visit libcal.cod.edu/event/5740518 for more information and to register.

College of DuPage is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Serving approximately 25,000 students each term, College of DuPage is the largest public community college in the state of Illinois. The college grants seven associate degrees and offers more than 170 career and technical certificates in over 50 areas of study.