Digital tools and effective strategies for engaging the adult learner

1. Distance learning is becoming more and more accessible as technology becomes more advanced.

1.1. It's becoming increasingly easy for people to continue their education from the school of their choice, at a rate that fits their schedule.

1.1.1. Digital classrooms are available 24/7

1.1.1.1. Particularly important for most as adults as they likely have scheduling conflicts, such as a full time job or taking care of their children, preventing them from attending school in person.

2. Digital tools and distance learning augments courses to be very appealing for adult learners since it allows them to be self directed and responsible for their own learning.

2.1. Many adult learners find their home to be a more comfortable location than their workplace for computer use and digital learning. They have more control over how they engage with information and communications technologies.

2.2. Online learning removes many barriers to learning and makes distributing information easier

2.3. Situational, personal and cultural constraints can often be relieved through non-traditional, online learning.

3. There are a lot of obstacles to adult learners using digital tools

3.1. A lot of adult learners can become frustrated with the digital learning system due to lack of experience with computers and internet based learning.

3.2. Digital tools and computer based learning involves learning about the digital tools and the computer based system of how the content is delivered (all before students learn the content itself).

3.3. Adult learners may be having trouble keeping up with the increasingly rapid advancement of technology. This trouble keeping up can be manifested in the form of anxiety for adult learners.

4. For educators and trainers to better meet the needs of adult learners, they need to have an understanding of what can affect the attitudes of adult learners.

4.1. An easy way to reduce anxiety is to have adult learners complete formal computer instruction.

4.1.1. Once adult learners have some practical experience, it will make them more likely to have a positive attitude when it comes to digital learning.

4.2. Motivating adult learners can be made easier by finding a way to link the subject matter to the reason that attracted the learners to participate in a learning situation.

4.3. Age can affect the brain's capacity to learn.

4.4. Adult learners are goal oriented and want the learning to be clearly defined with achievable goals.