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Date: October 28, 2004

Leave No Grown-up Behind
by Chip Donohue

In a May 2004 article in Young Children, Judy Magee and Betty Jones of Pacific Oaks College remind us that high tech solutions for training and education are only successful when the learners have the necessary tech skills to participate fully in the online learning community, and have the time and support to learn how to learn online.

“We have been pleasantly surprised to learn by doing that computer technology can create a class discussion structure that in some ways is more personal than face-to-face. The challenge is to make the technology transparent so it doesn’t get in the way.

Lessons learned in helping newcomers come to terms with technology suggests that adult learners can and will embrace these new tools if they make tasks more efficient and is they support learning more about what interests them. “Connecting and learning with people all over the world is exhilarating and intensely rewarding. Newcomers quickly begin to treasure the depth of learning and meaningful support they experience online.”

From Magee, J., & Jones, E. (2004, May). Leave no grown-up behind: Coming to terms with technology. Young Children, 13-20.