THE EFFECTS OF MODERN TECHNOLOGY ON THE ADULT LEARNER
This paper reviewed the effects of modern technology on the adult learner. Technological advances offer hope for the development of solutions to the adult education issue than will satisfy both the learners and society.
Based on the review presented in this paper, one can conclude that modern technology provides the tools that permit educators to develop instructional programs that fulfill the needs of both adult learners and the greater society. One of the problems that society likely will encounter in the future is a problem that exists today. This problem is that many adult learners do not possess the familiarity with modern technological tools that permits then to use technology with confidence. Thus, it addition to adapting technology to the needs of adult learners, there also is a need to prepare adult learners to use technology with confidence.
Formal education is widely recognized as a valuable asset for citizens and for the organizations in society that offer productive employment opportunities for citizens. As society becomes more complex, the educational qualifications demanded of individuals by employing organizations continues to increase. Enhanced educational qualifications benefit both the individual and the employing organization (Dunderstadt, 1999).
Consideration of the data illustrated in Exhibit 1 (on the following page) enables one to appreciate the value of a college-level education to the individual. As the information presented in the exhibit indicate, average annual income rises dramatically as the level of individual formal educational attainment increases.
Enhanced educational qualifications for individuals, however, are equally valuable to most employing organizations in contemporary society. Requirements for undergraduate and graduate degrees exist for a wide range of employment positions in the contemporary period, and the number...