Ed Tech for Adult Students (Inside & Outside)
Well hello, Sunday Morning Coffee-ites! I’ve just returned from a week in sunny San Diego, attending the ASU+GSV Summit. I was lucky to be invited to participate on a panel about technology for incarcerated students. The only such panel for the whole week. The rest of the sessions were all around some amazing ed tech for students in the free world, business advice for ed tech companies, and the unveiling of emerging technology that blew my mind. Our world is changing, evolving, and technology is a driver. It plays an increasingly crucial role in shaping educational experiences, even for adult learners. As individuals juggle work, family, and other responsibilities, technology offers flexible and accessible solutions to pursue further education and professional development.
One of the most significant benefits of technology in adult education is its ability to break down barriers to learning. Online courses, webinars, and educational apps allow adult learners to access learning materials anytime, anywhere, fitting seamlessly into their busy schedules. Whether it's during lunch breaks, evenings, or weekends, technology enables adults to pursue education at their own pace and convenience.
Technology provides a vast array of learning opportunities for adult students. From Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) to specialized learning platforms, individuals have access to a diverse range of subjects and topics tailored to their interests and career goals. Furthermore, educational resources such as video lectures, interactive simulations, and virtual reality experiences enrich the learning process, making it engaging and immersive for adult learners.
Adaptive learning technologies have revolutionized the way adults engage with educational content. By leveraging data analytics and machine learning algorithms, these platforms can personalize learning experiences based on individual preferences, learning styles, and skill levels. As a result, adult students receive tailored recommendations, adaptive assessments, and targeted interventions, enhancing their learning outcomes and overall satisfaction.
Technology fosters collaborative learning environments where adult students can connect with peers, mentors, and experts from around the globe. Online forums, discussion boards, and social media platforms facilitate meaningful interactions, knowledge sharing, and peer-to-peer support. Through collaborative projects, group assignments, and virtual teamwork, adult learners develop essential communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills critical for success in today's interconnected world.
For many adult learners, technology serves as a catalyst for professional development and lifelong learning. Online certifications, micro-credentials, and digital badges provide opportunities to acquire new skills, enhance existing ones, and stay relevant in rapidly evolving industries. Whether pursuing a career change, seeking advancement opportunities, or simply exploring new interests, technology empowers adults to continuously grow and adapt in an ever-changing job market.
But, what if you’re incarcerated? The use of technology can be incredibly impactful for these students, offering them access to educational opportunities and resources that might otherwise be limited or unavailable. Most correctional facilities have limited resources for traditional educational programs. Technology can bridge this gap by providing access to online courses, virtual classrooms, and digital learning materials. Incarcerated students can engage in a wide range of subjects and topics, from basic literacy skills to advanced academic courses to CTE and job training, depending on their interests and educational goals.
Incarcerated students face various challenges, such as limited time, restricted movement, and unpredictable schedules. Technology enables them to engage in self-paced learning, allowing them to study at their own convenience and progress through educational materials at their own speed. Whether it's during designated educational hours, free time in their cells, or through structured programs, technology offers flexibility that accommodates the unique circumstances of incarcerated individuals.
Education is a powerful tool for rehabilitation and successful reentry into society. We know from research that it’s the one thing that moves the recidivism needle by any statistical significance. By providing access to educational resources, technology empowers incarcerated students to acquire knowledge, skills, and qualifications that enhance their employability and reduce the likelihood of recidivism. Whether pursuing vocational training, earning certifications, or completing academic degrees, technology prepares incarcerated individuals for a smoother transition back into their communities.
Beyond academic learning, technology can also support personal development and empowerment for incarcerated students. Access to online resources, educational videos, e-books, and self-help materials can inspire personal growth, foster critical thinking skills, and encourage self-reflection. Moreover, engaging in educational activities can boost self-esteem, instill a sense of purpose, and provide a positive outlet for intellectual stimulation during incarceration.
For many incarcerated individuals, technology serves as a vital link to the outside world. Through email correspondence, video conferencing, and online communication platforms, incarcerated students can stay connected with their families, friends, and support networks. Maintaining these connections is essential for mental health, emotional well-being, and social reintegration, ultimately contributing to successful reentry and rehabilitation. Folks with these connections are more successful post-release than those without them.
Some incarcerated individuals may have specialized educational needs, such as learning disabilities, language barriers, or specific learning preferences. Technology can accommodate these needs through adaptive learning technologies, assistive devices, and personalized learning platforms. By tailoring educational experiences to individual strengths and challenges, technology ensures that all incarcerated students have the opportunity to thrive academically.
And finally, technology can serve as the great equalizer when it comes to career readiness. The waitlist to get into industry certification courses in prisons is astronomical, and if you’re in a jail, you can forget about job training. Most jails don’t have the space or monetary resources to offer much. Technology, however, can be the gateway to technical and soft skill instruction. What if an incarcerated student could prepare their resumé cover letter and collect their certifications, etc, all to be accessed once they’re released? Or perform their job search, apply for jobs, and research possible career pathways prior to release? Talk about a game-changer!
In one of the sessions I attended this week, a speaker made a comment that students in the free world have access to something like 25,000 different ed tech apps. Incarcerated students typically have access to none. By leveraging technology to facilitate educational opportunities behind bars, we can empower incarcerated individuals to transform their lives, break the cycle of incarceration, and build brighter futures for themselves, their families, and their communities. Let me ask you this: how can an individual be competitive in today’s workforce with zero tech knowledge, skills, and abilities? You’re right. It’s nearly impossible.
On anther note, the tech that’s coming our way after the presidential election is going to be life-changing. And yes, companies like Microsoft let us know at the conference that their AI innovations won’t be released until then. Hang on to your minds, folks. It’s going to be an interesting wild ride.
If you’re interested in how to introduce or expand technology in a correctional education program, give me a shout. I can help you to design and launch an overall program or an individual one, and I can introduce you to people who have the tools you’ll need.
Cheers all!
