Meeting the Compliance and Computer Needs of the Adult Learner

Computer Adult Learner

An employee is terminated after 23 years of service. Suddenly thrust into the work arena without the skills to make a smooth transition. In order to make a transition into the computerized workforce it will be necessary to get educational skills up to speed. (The employee has never had the need to learn the basics such as the use of a mouse, word, excel, power point or even basic e-mail.)

The employee now finds that in order to obtain a job it is necessary to get the skills that will get the job. This task will be completed through the use of Educational Interactive Technology. The employee will be able to learn from home how to use the basic software packages. Or even through an employment agency or with a new company there may be the possibility to take interactive classes in order to get the skills up to speed.

It is clear that in recent years programs have become available to the adult learner that were never offered before. The technological training one needs to develop even the most basic ability to use a computer system to function within a minimally computerized system has recently been updated to meet the needs of the adult learner, who through the isolation of a non-computerized vocation has previously avoided computer training.

There are many reasons, stated by individuals that computer skills might have been consciously avoided, not the least of which is simple fear of the unknown, yet to a large degree these individuals have simply slipped through the cracks, attending school at a time before these skills were considered basic and working in a non-computerized vocation for most of their working career. Due to the very rapid way in which technology has infiltrated the work environment these individuals have been left behind by it. They may have believed that their length of service or exemplary ability to function without computers would allow them to continue to be employable in their present, or another non-computerized job, until retirement.

Yet, sadly this is not the case any longer as the average length of service in one job continues to decline and the movement form one workplace to another becomes increasingly fluid. Additionally the accepted level of computer knowledge and functioning increases as younger workers, taught the basics in school take the place of older workers when computer dependency increases in almost every field and level of work.

Today even some of the very most basic entry level job roles require basic or even advanced computer skills and abilities. Though in most fields computerized systems are specialized, such as new computerized cash registers and transaction systems there is still a growing need for the simple ability to be able to communicate with superiors via email or access a computer, and go online to check daily sales statistics and goals. In a non-retail setting inventories and other such things are becoming exclusively electronic, rather than ledger-based hardcopies. The work environment is still changing and evolving as more and more technology infiltrates the workforce.

Educational Interactive Technology is self-guided software that helps and individual process new information about computer literacy. The use of this technology is widely accepted as one of the best possible solutions to the problem of employable-aged individuals who have gotten lost in the information technology boom. Most colleges, universities and community-based training systems employ some type of EIT in their training systems and some are more accessible and useful than others. EIT can take the form of a basic skills assessment and training tool, assuming no previous computer knowledge with a beginning point that requires very little guidance from an instructor, or it may take the form of a software specific tutorial that helps intermediate to skilled computer users both refresher and initial training on programs that are frequently used in their job role. Examples of software specific EIT can of coarse be found at www.videoprofessor.com, possibly a good choice for the individual learner, or the self-teaching learner as the level of need is addressed through free software that enables the learner to begin at the basic level and then advance through more specific programs that have a minimal cost.

The current state of this technology is dependant upon the growth of the computer dependency of the work place and is at a relatively high level of development. At least one example of such technology will be detailed in the body of this work. In the work there will be links to information for obtaining and costing such EIT material and also for the implementation of a training program using it.

Objectives and Scope of Proposed Change:

Taking into account how the adult learner operates this work will serve as a template for the development of a personal and possibly larger learning guide for the acquisition of basic computer skills that will serve as a starting point for the individual's job skills upgrade. The work will examine possible software and hardware solutions and develop a cost benefits analysis with regard to an individual case and possibly a company wide strategy for the acquisition of updated and greater knowledge for the general employee. It will focus first on the strategy of basic skills acquisition and then develop an outlined plan for continued, annual learning of all employees.

With regards to adult learners the system will be individually driven so individuals at any skill level will be offered and entry point and continued growth within the skill set will be available for use by all employees and potential employees. Each step in the educational outline will take into consideration the level the individual brings to the educational setting and then build on this concept until individuals are able to develop advanced skills with individual software and hardware.

The work will offer concrete solutions to adult training needs, with special attention given to adults with absolutely no computer skills. The most basic use of a computer is foundational for placement in any firm and good loyal, hardworking employees are being squeezed out of the workforce long before it is necessary. This work will identify concrete solutions and demonstrate ways in which they can be implemented in order for this or any company to retain valuable employees without undermining their integrity.

Identified Solutions:

Within the quickly advancing job market in the United States there has been a distinguishable gap in the knowledge base of the adult population. Adults who are leaving work they have done for years, where no computer knowledge has been necessary to complete the job tasks are having a difficult time reentering an increasingly technologically driven work environment. Regardless of the reason why these jobs are disappearing the situation can be dire for the worker, as they attempt to go back to work, even at the same level of pay and supposedly skill level.

New workers entering the workforce are at a concrete advantage as they have even the most basic skills of computer operation, while those who did not attend school during the last twenty years are completely computer illiterate. These older adults are not yet at retirement age, and more importantly not in a financial position to retire but jobs they are qualified to do without computer skills are disappearing rapidly, as more and more skill levels of job classification become more and more dependant upon the use of computer technology. These people are capable of obtaining the necessary skill set to demonstrate proficiency in a job that requires computer skills but may be at a loss as to how to obtain the necessary non-traditional education.

Many colleges and universities, as well as job training programs and senior citizens programs provide very basic computer literacy programs so that individuals in this age group and in disadvantaged situations may gain enough knowledge to above all feel confident about their ability to learn to perform new job tasks that require computer basics.

This proposal will demonstrate the different options available for implementation and will also offer a summary of the most cost effective plans available. Within the scope of the project the issues of cost implementation will be made with regards to how each individual can most effectively access the needed information, be that through an already established educational system, outsourced to an employment or community-based system or through the purchase of hardware and software for the plan to be implemented within an already functioning corporate entity.

The recognition of this need has become much more wide spread, as those adults who have previously resisted such training become more and more dependant upon gaining it. There are many highly useful internet sites directed toward the learning of the most basic computer skills, one very comprehensive site can be found at http://pediatrics.med.miami.edu/mailman/basic.htm#tutorial.At this site an individual might learn through the guidance of another Internet proficient computer user the most basic skills through interactive tutorials and information sheets. Other sites that offers links to other organizations offering free and low cost tutorials for both basic and direct software proficiency can be accessed at http://www.itrainonline.org/itrainonline/english/office.shtml, http://www.findtutorials.com/and http://aect.ed.psu.edu/viewlets/prerequisite.htm. All three of the above sites go from the very basics to the more advanced operations questions and offer concrete examples of low cost to free options for the individual learner.

Yet, without the guidance of an Internet proficient user many internet guided tutorials might be useless. The format could serve as a starting point for a basic IT coarse. The option to use this site would be cost effective, as most of the information available is free to users. Yet, for a more permanent implementation of change there will be the need for the purchase of hardware and software for the specific purpose of computer literacy training.

According to one of the more prominent software development companies, specializing in basic computer skills training, Teknimedia, demonstrates the availability of basic computer literacy training, listing several possible locations that might benefit from their well developed program.

MS, HS & Alternative Schools

Staff Development Programs

Public Libraries

Postsecondary Schools

Special Education & ESL Programs

Adult Education & Literacy Programs

CTC's and Neighborhood Networks

Workforce Development Programs

Welfare-to-Work Programs

Senior Citizen Programs

Correctional Facilities

Workplace Training Programs (http://www.teknimedia.com/html/cls.html,2004)

Teknimedia specializes in targeting a learning audience that is well outside the school-aged set and does so with the understanding that different skill levels are all reachable through a self-guided software system. "CLS is designed for teens to senior adults with novice to intermediate-level computer skills." (http://www.teknimedia.com/html/cls.html,2004)

Teknimedia offers what it calls a Computer Literacy Series or CLS that goes from even the most basic skills, using a mouse keyboard, with no assumption of prior knowledge of computers. They offer software in several different formats which could help with the scope or number of students who need to be reached in any given vocational or workplace training setting.

Standalone - CLS courses are provided on individual CD-ROMs for use on standalone computers.

Network - CLS courses can be installed on a network file server and accessed from any computer on the network. The network version of CLS includes the Virtual Learning Center management software that lets instructors track student activity from a central location.

Internet - CLS courses can be accessed from any computer connected to the Internet. The Internet version of CLS is delivered in the Web Learning Center environment which lets organizations set up accounts, register students and track their activities. (http://www.teknimedia.com/html/cls.html,2004)

Once the most basic skills are learned through CLS a learner then goes on to prepare for the companies IC3 system (Internet and Computing Core Certification). Through the CLS program and the companies "PCIC3-Getting Ready for IC3" and the actual certification test system the learner can develop the skills she or he needs to navigate effectively in a new computerized work environment. For further information about the offerings of Teknimedia please see their fact sheet at http://www.teknimedia.com/FactSheets/FactSheetABE.pdfor download free trial software at http://www.teknimedia.com/html/free_trial.html.

For an individual learner, software can be purchased for reasonable amounts and the pricing scale is based upon the delivery method preferred, see delivery methods above and pricing answers below. As the system gets more involved, and more computers/networks are used to implement the software usage, the cost rises. Though a direct pricing list is not available on the Teknimedia site the pricing is available upon request at http://www.teknimedia.com/html/pricing.html.

It is possible that cost could be prohibitive to an individual, and in this case researching and attending an institution that offers the use of the Teknimedia products may be the best way to go. Yet, with the purchase of a personal computer for home use by an individual, (around $1,500) software tutorials may become imperative.

On a corporate level the cost of the most easily expandable system at the highest level, associated with the Networking software could be the most cost effective, if the company intends to use the system with many users and for a long period of time.

Standalone Computer Delivery: Annual Standalone (SA) Licenses are available for installation on standalone computers. The annual price is based on the total number of standalone licenses and the number of courses purchased. Discounts are offered for multi-year licenses. You are allowed to train an unlimited number of students on each computer during the license period.

Network Delivery: Annual Network (NET) Licenses are available for installation on Local Area Networks (LANs) and Wide Area Network (WANs). The annual price is based on the total number of concurrent/simultaneous users and the number of courses purchased. Discounts are offered for multi-year licenses. You are allowed to train an unlimited number of students on each workstation in the network during the license period.

Internet Delivery: CLS courses are available over the Internet from Teknimedia's Web Learning Center. One User License (UL) is required per CLS course, per learner. The price per UL is based on the total number of ULs purchased per course and the amount of time a learner will be allowed to have access to the course (1 month, 3 months, 6 months or 12 months). (http://www.teknimedia.com/html/pricing.html2004)

Additionally the internet delivery system is available, where the hardware is already a part of the infrastructure of the business. The benefits of this could be that an individual would be able to access the learning material from any computer, at home or work for the period of time paid for by the individual or company. This would allow the user to learn on a flexible schedule that would be track able by both the Teknimedia help staff and the purchaser of the license.

There are many benefits associated with the possible delivery methods in each pricing system and the company must weigh all the options given the current state of the technological availability of hardware and the purposes for which the training is being used. The multi-delivery availability of the Teknimedia system makes it a highly flexible and therefore desirable system, where cost allows.

More complicated individual software guides are also available for different skill levels, and each organization must weight the need for any given individual employees need to demonstrate capabilities for different programs and systems. Additional resources that can be found are almost endless and can offer the employee the flexibility of choosing their own method of learning.

Implementation:

In the present situation, an individual learner may be best served by obtaining the least expensive services of an employment agency or community education service. The cost of such training is relatively low, ranging from 50-200 dollars per coarse. In a situation where many existing employees must gain more computer skills, say for the upgrade of a current system, there are often options available through the software developers who are making the initial sale of software to the company and this option must be explored.

An example of a step-by-step implementation for basic computer literacy in a company would include both an assessment phase and an action phase. The most basic understanding of the needs of the organization will be determined by the assessment phase:

Review of number of employees affected by change

Assessment of level of skill currently present

Assessment of level needed to obtain e.g. simple basis skills to individual program training