Article Review: Assessing Adult Student Reactions to Assistive Technology in writing Instruction

By: Julie Mueller, Eileen Wood, Jen Hunt, Jacqueline Specht
Ebscohost
Adult Basic Education & Literacy Journal
Year: 2009, March 1 Vol. 3 Issue 1, p.13-23

Researchers have debated that technology is a dynamic force that inspire adults to continue their education.
"They propose that technology has made adult education more accessible, has forced retraining, and has helped mold the economy in the knowledge in information age." According to Mueller, Computers are primary tools for community-based learning because they are connected to jobs and skill preparation, remediation, and lifelong learning. Although adults see computers in positive ways, there are barriers. Adults view computers as a tool that assist them with individual learning, builds self-esteem, and provides essential feedback. According to Mueller, "The barriers with computers is that there are challenging time demands, restrictive communication policies within organizations, and frustrations with the unpredictability and price of computers." Most importantly the biggest concern is receiving proper training with the use of computers. Training and technical support is a key issue in and reason for negative reactions to AT in writing. Assistive technology opens opportunities for employment, continued education and learning in order to survive in everyday life. Our society is becoming dependent on technology in many aspects. Adults who would like to go back to school, prolong it out of fear that they will have to learn the basic skills to survive as a student. The traditional way of writing by print, submitting assignments on the internet, and even researching information raises questions for individuals which becomes an intimidating factor. They also face problems with using word processors and lack of knowledge on how to check grammar and mispelled words. The issue is that some adults simply do not know how to use computers, word documents, and other software on a computer. In order to diminish these negative reactions and instead serve as a motivating tools, effective training has to be provided. Younger age students have the ability to maneuver through a computer because they are customed to the modern technology such as iphones, networking sites such as facebook and other devices. Older adults are customed to the traditional way of learning. Technology and computer classes offered as a mandatory requirement at the beginning before pursing a particular degree can be essential. It can help bring individuals out of their comfort zone of the traditional methods of learning. People will become less intimidated and become more familiar with the basics of word processors such as microsoft office. They will have the ability to learn the various navigations and how they function. Technology is growing at a rapid rate. There are new innovations that are changing the way we function in everyday life. Offering classes, and other ways to provide support for using these new innovations will help bring the fear out of adults continuing their education.