Perhaps the most significant change in education over the last twenty years involves the use of technology. In many cases the internet has replaced the library while the personal computer has replaced notebooks, pens and pencils as basic tools.
Unfortunately, concerns over these advances often stand in the way of a return to school for many adults. They shouldn’t, because with a little hard work with the right folks any adult can acquire the tech basics in short order.
What Tech Skills Are RequiredWhile attending college today will require some technology skills, the specific skills and the depth to which you must have mastered those skills will depend on two key components: your course of study (subject matter) and the method by which you will be taking classes.
All classes will demand a basic understanding of computer use. First, professors will expect you to be able to conduct basic internet research. An understanding of how to use Google or other internet search engines to find material will be a fundamental expectation.
In addition, professors will expect students to construct properly formatted and typed papers. Therefore, students will need some basic understanding of word processing software.
Many specific areas of study will demand additional skills. In addition to word processing and typing expectations, some classes could involve work with spreadsheets. Still others might expect a student be able to embed tables or spreadsheets in a document. Lastly, classroom presentations might require the ability to put together a Powerpoint presentation.
Online CoursesIf you elect to take courses in an online format, you will likely receive all class material over a personal computer via an internet connection. You will also likely forward all class work through the same process with some of those materials being posted to bulletin or discussion boards as well as blog sites.
Therefore students taking online courses must know how to use e-mail for communication purposes. They must also be able to grasp the steps necessary to post to classroom discussions in either a chat room or through some other form of online sharing tool like a wiki.
Such courses could involve work with movies as well as traditional web sites. Ultimately, students will need a general understanding of how to use their personal computer as the vehicle for a variety of coursework.
Strengthening Basic Technology SkillsIf you are unfamiliar with the terms we have noted, then you should give careful consideration to gaining some additional technology skills. One of the best places to do so is through your local community adult education program.
Most communities today offer a number of inexpensive courses in a wide variety of topics. All should offer courses that use either Microsoft or Macintosh formatted software that reviews the basics of word processing, spreadsheets, creating tables, and Powerpoint presentations.
In addition to being exposed to critical terminology, students will have access to the latest computers available as well as a high speed internet connection.
Making a Critical ConnectionOne of the greatest benefits of taking an adult education course is the development of a future connection. Taking such a course provides access to the best of all worlds, an opportunity to work with an up-to-date computer with high speed connection and the chance to work with an adult who is an expert in technology.
A return to school will demand a grasp of tech skills. If you are concerned about those skills, contact your local adult education office for a list of the next computer course options available in your area.