EAH Housing, an affordable housing organization, partnered with the Literacy, Language, and Technology Research group at Portland State University for the digital literacies portion of a digital infrastructure and digital literacies program funded by a grant from the California Public Utilities Commission. Working with the Literacy, Language, and…

Taking courses by continuing education (CE) providers is one of the main ways for adults to learning digital skills. CE is provided in either face-to-face (F2F) or online distance learning (ODL) mode. While F2F courses are natural and well-understood, ODL is flexible and less expensive. However, ODL lacks the natural teacher-student and…

The current and projected influx of older adult learners over 50 years of age implies the need to revisit lenses in which they are perceived and their academic needs. Though there are several support services to assist with physiological, socioeconomical, emotional, and cognitive hindrances, accessibility to these services continues to be the…

This doctoral research study examined how nontraditional students from different generations experience returning to college to gain insight into their media and technology usage habits and determine how those differences might influence enrollment marketing practices. The study was designed and administered using relationship marketing as a…

Students in higher institutions need to carry out research projects. The focus of this paper explores a model to help students learn ICT skills needed for research projects. Generally students go through the "long and hard route" to learn and use ICT resources because they do not know how to do it. The paper explores the Adult Learning…

As traditional classroom settings are transitioning to online environments, teachers now face the challenge of using this medium to promote effective learning strategies, especially when teaching older age groups. Because adult learners bring a different set of understandings and skills to education than younger students, such as more job and life…

Universities across the country are steadily increasing their use of online courses. Society's demand for lifelong learning will encourage the advancement of distance learning. Research tells us that today the average person changes careers every ten years. In addition, the U.S. Department of Labor estimates that about 10% of workers change jobs…

Open Distance Learning (ODL) provides learners with the greatest possible control over time, place and pace of education. The educational delivery of ODL has improved greatly over the years with growing number of students continuously enrolling into various ODL programs globally. ODL however does come with issues and problems. Loss of student…

Self-directed e-learning (SDEL) refers to electronic learning environments where there are often no peer learners or instructors regularly available. Past studies suggest that lack of time and lack of motivation are primary causes of learner attrition "in online settings." However, little is known about what influences motivational change during…

This study investigated the influences of learning styles/preferences, prior computer skills and experience with online courses on adult learners' knowledge acquisition in a web-based special education course. Forty-six adult learners who enrolled in a web-based special education course participated in the study. The results of the study showed…

The integration of information and communication technologies (ICT) in course offerings in institutions of higher learning (IHLs) is the catalyst towards empowering learners to become autonomous lifelong learners. In an effort to produce quality and independent learners, Learning Management Systems (LMS) are seen as a means to assist educators in…