Education technology, used both in the classroom and for mobile learning, can bring powerful, cost-effective learning opportunities to the 36 million lower-skilled adults in the U.S., especially the 32 million not served by our current workforce training and education systems. These stories from and discussions with our Beacons and partners offer insight into incorporating education technology into adult learning in highly effective yet affordable ways.

Harnessing the Power of Education Technology for the Adult Learner

Explore how experimenting and iterating, the first of five adoption factors investigated in a new series of blog posts, can lead to successful technology implementation in adult learning communities.

Experiment & Iterate: How to Implement Effective Education Technology

“When you see them light up because they see they have the power to learn,” you have a match between ed-tech and learners. Trying something new, adjusting, and trying again are key to implementing the right ed-tech products. In this webinar, learn about the experiment and iterate process from our Beacons.

A Digital Promise for Professional Development in Adult Education

The Institute for Professional Development of Adult Educators (IPDAE) is a national model for providing training anytime, anywhere. Read more about how June Rall, IPDAE Director, developed the site with a focus on design and utilization. Her efforts are clear: the site boasts almost 6,000 registered users and 33,000 unique visitors to date.

Educators & Developers Partner: Custom Products & Beta Testers Are Win/Win

Learners become the central focus when developers and adult learning program administrators partner to create ed-tech products. In this webinar, learn about forming these partnerships from Chicago Public Library (CPL) and Digital Learn, who as worked together to create an ed-tech product to meet CPL’s specific needs.

Technology and Workforce Re-entry: Online Learning as an Alternative for the Formerly Incarcerated

ALISON’s free online workforce re-entry program helps the formerly incarcerated transition back into the workforce. In this webinar, ALISON’s CEO shares this platform; then, the Literacy Coordinator for ONBOCES, one of our Beacons, talks about the impact of using ALISON in his program.

How to Crowdsource Quality Resources for Adult Learners

Designers for Learning invited instructional designers, developers, and adult educators to join a crowdsourcing effort to develop free open educational resources (OER) for adults with low math and literacy skills. More than 1,500 people from around the world are now actively engaged in creating new accessible resources for adult learners.

Adult Ed Digital Literacy: Tools for Assessing and Teaching

Agencies in Rhode Island are using Northstar Digital Literacy Assessment to increase digital literacy among adults in their community. In this webinar, the Northstar Digital Literacy Project demonstrates aspects of their technology; then, the Rhode Island Family Literacy Initiative, one of our Beacons, talks about the impact of using Northstar.

Reaching Beyond the Adult Ed Classroom with Technology

Adult education programs are finding new approaches by using education technologies to engage students outside of the traditional classroom. ONBOCES, one of our Beacons, is leading the way. The result: more students are being served who would otherwise be left out.

Developers and Adult Ed Programs Collaborate on Apps

Adult learners need powerful yet simple technology, a match requiring high-level design. The costs of this kind of technology can seem insurmountable for the chronically under-funded adult education sector. Chicago Public Library, one of our Beacons, addressed this challenge by collaborating with a new developer to create a customized solution.