The theme of technology was presented consistently among both adult learners and instructors. This section further addresses Research Question 3: What are the perceived opportunities or achievements that adult learners have experienced in these ALCs. Via Interview Question 8a, adult learners mentioned technology when asked about the specific strategies used by instructors to help them improve their experiences. Technology was also identified as an accomplishment of achievement amongst learners. Instructors spoke about how they incorporated technology into their instructional practice
and how it could be used as a resource outside of the classroom for students who are unable to attend class every day or students just wanting a supplementary resource.
The literature revealed how technology could benefit students, particularly those in rural communities who might have problems with transportation (Irvin, Hannum, Farmer, de la Varre, & Keane, 2009). One of the instructors identified lack of
transportation as a disadvantage of the current ALC. She noted that the downside of the location of the center was that students must have their own transportation to and from the center. There was no form of public transportation for those who have to walk. Another instructor indicated that transportation and childcare were both perceived barriers to persistence within her site. IN3 stated that childcare and transportation were minimal. Each of the instructors were candid in their thoughts about the use of
technology to not only assist students with problems attending class, but also to improve their life in general through increasing their technological skills.
The literature review for this study addressed how technology could assist adult learners, particularly those who reside in rural communities and lack childcare or transportation. To my amazement, however, transportation and childcare were noted as minimal barriers within this particular study. All 9 of the student participants commented that the location was one of the advantages of the site in which they attended. Only two adult learners indicated that transportation could be problem for other students; however, this was not a direct problem for them. In addition, 2 participants acknowledged that the lack of childcare was a possible barrier for some adults.
The use of technology itself was noted as an area of improvement for many of the participants. One participant expressed her undesired feeling of incompetence due to lacking technological skills. The learner spoke about how technology has motivated her as learner. She noted:
Um, just the new age of technology. I mean it’s not something that I really particularly like, but I’m in it and it’s evolving and I don’t want to be left behind. You know considering I am not too old, but old enough to forget if I don’t keep learning.
Another participant stated that technology is what surrounds us today. She stated that world consists mostly of computers and electronics so it is very important for us to embrace technology and become familiar with how to use it. This adult learner stated how technology could improve her lifestyle and enable her to keep up with the
happenings of society.
One of the participants noted that she had attended an adult education program in the past for 6 months, but she did not receive her GED. She spoke of how most of the work was done by hand when she attended; however now, most of the work is done on the computers. She stated that although this can be a challenge for her at times, it is also an advantage because she would not be exposed to as much technology if she were not enrolled in her local ALC.
Another student also felt that using technology is challenging, but she said that she just had to try her best. She noted that if you keep trying, you could learn how to use
it. The participant explained that she attempts to use technology outside of the classroom because it enables her to study and practice at home.
Within the adult learning environment, learners are typically discouraged from using any personal devices during instructional hours. This is seen as a distraction in the classroom. However, Instructor #1 explained how she takes advantage of her learners’ insistence to stay tuned into their technological devices. Since students are so connected to their mobile devices, the instructor is in the process of implementing the use of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) technology into her classroom setting to support instruction. The instructor also uses Thinkbinder, an ideal platform to introduce collaborative group work to students. Students are encouraged to work together to solve problems and share their thought on what they have learned or what is currently being learned in the class. By allowing the use of technology into the class, the instructor hopes to peak students’ interest and develop 21st Century skills such as learning to collaborate with others.
IN3 noted that she discovered that technology was a barrier to some of her students. Unlike IN2, whose site consists of mostly younger adult learners, her site consists of several older adult learners whom did not want to embrace technology. She noted how the current GED is a computer-based test and how her students have to be prepared for that. She stated that technology is incorporated into her instruction daily. Students are encouraged to use a program, Skills Tutor©, both inside and outside of the classroom. In addition to gaining basic skills in technology, adult learners are also afforded the ability to improve their academic skills. Students are able to assess a number of resources to aid them in increasing their technological skills. Moreover, with
the aid of technology, adult learners are afforded the ability to work on lessons outside of the classroom when they are unavailable to attend for reasons such as employment or no available childcare. They can utilize technology from almost anywhere, and at their own leisure. This could alleviate some of the burdens regarding time management that learners enrolled in adult education programs have expressed. The topic of time management is addressed next.