Posted June 21st, 2017
By Kris Powers
Many of the learners in today’s online courses are adults.
Some of the adults in online courses may need to upgrade their skills. Others may want to gain certification and credentials in their field to further their employment opportunities. And still others may want to change careers completely. The reasons for adults seeking online education are as varied as the adults seeking them. One thing that research has shown is that this growing demographic tends to be ambitious, capable, and eager to learn. And understanding their needs puts educators in a better position to tailor strategies and help returning adults to be as successful as possible.
The National Center for Education Statistics defines an adult learner as meeting at least one of the following seven criteria:
- Delays enrollment (does not enter post-secondary education in the same calendar year that he or she finished high school)
- Attends part time for at least part of the academic year
- Works full time (35 hours or more per week) while enrolled
- Is considered financially independent for purposes of determining eligibility for financial aid
- Has dependents other than a spouse
- Is a single parent
- Does not have a high school diploma
Many colleges and universities are just starting to consider the diverse needs of the adult learner.
Ruffalo Noel Levits and CAEL conducted a survey of adult students from the 2015-16 academic year that found adult learners have different needs than “traditional-aged” students when it comes to searching for a program. Some of the enrollment factors that adult learners considered at community colleges included:
- Availability of program desired 89%
- Convenient time and place for classes 88%
- Cost 86%
- Requirement for current or future job 82%
- Availability of financial assistance 86%
- Flexible pacing for completing a program 81%
- Time required to complete program 81%
- Ability to transfer credits 79%
- Distance from campus 78%
- High rate of job placement 75%
“I would argue that adult learners are the single most under-served group in higher education, both by their sheer numbers and their importance to the economy in this country,” Paul Glastris, the editor in chief of Washington Monthly, said in a phone interview with The Christian Science Monitor in 2016.
“You have this highly motivated, highly capable population that could be bringing in more income for their families, rising in their careers and adding value to the economy,” Glastris says. “But only if we can figure out better ways to make higher education more affordable for them.”
Ed4Career is doing our part by providing affordable online courses for students. We believe we are forever changed by everything we learn. It is our goal to facilitate this evolution by providing a high-quality learning platform and straightforward curriculum. Our courses are self-paced and incorporate a variety of learning methods. We also help students determine what types of financial assistance they may qualify for. Ed4Career offers hundreds of courses in 4 distinct area of online education: 1) Career Vocational Training (Not-for-credit), 2) Personal Enrichment, 3) For Credit College Classes, and 4) Professional Development Training.
Visit Ed4Career today to learn about how we can help you obtain the education and training that you desire!
