Did you know that the average age of college students rose to 25 in 2009? Predictions indicate a 23 percent rise in enrollment of students age 25 and older by the end of this decade while those younger than 25 increase by only 9 percent. So, “non-traditional” adult learners who are typically working adults with full-time jobs, families and homes to care for are becoming the mainstream or “traditional” students. Adult learners need flexible access to high quality, affordable learning options including technology-enhanced, blended or full online classes/programs.

A technology-enhanced class may be a traditional, synchronous face-to-face classroom setting that includes using technology as an integrated part of instruction. This includes connecting remote sites with video-conference or video streaming technology. Video-conference technology is real time, audio and video connection that joins two or more sites together. At the Hutchinson Center we offer many video conference classes that are linked to classes in Orono and elsewhere around the state. This allows us to offer classes that we otherwise would not have enough students to support. It also allows Orono departments to offer courses they might not otherwise be able to offer so it is a win-win situation for students.

Video-streaming classes, such as those offered by University College centers all around the state, originate on a campus with live students in the classroom. The class is transmitted via streaming video on the Internet and is recorded and archived so that students may access it later as desired. It is predominantly one-way communication. Students may telephone in their questions to an assistant who will share them with the instructor but there is not direct two-way communication as there is with video conference technology. The number of video-streaming classes has sharply diminished as video conference and online courses have increased.

An online course is usually asynchronous, meaning that the students may sign on and participate in the class when it is convenient for them to do so, anytime, anyplace. A high-quality online course usually includes deadlines for assignments, discussion boards with questions to discuss with classmates, interactive activities that get the student involved in the content, and modules that include instructor presentations, group work or exercises of various kinds. An online class requires self-discipline to sign onto the course often and regularly, and to complete assignments on time but you can do this after the kids are in bed and you are curled up on the couch with your computer tablet. In fact, data show that the majority of online students sign on after 10 p.m.

The learning management systems that support online classes have been designed to be easy to use but can be intimidating for the first-time user. We offer training and support to become an online student. For those without high-speed broadband access at home, the Hutchinson Center has WiFi access throughout the building and computer labs that are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Some online classes are synchronous classes that require the student to attend at set times so be sure to read the course description and syllabus before you sign up. You can attend from any computer but you have to meet when the class does. Depending upon the learning management system used, the course may be archived for retrieval later if desired.

Another variation of an online course is a hybrid or blended class. These are a combination of online and face-to-face instruction. There will usually be a schedule of the dates that the class meets face-to-face included in the comments section when you register. Be sure to look for this. The class may meet once, twice or every other week face-to-face and synchronously. It varies a lot. When the class meets online it is usually asynchronous and flexible but be sure to check about this too by reading the course description and syllabus for the details.

If you have questions about attending class via technology, or need help deciphering just how the class will be offered, check with Jose Cordero at the Hutchinson Center, 338-8020, or jose.cordero@umit.maine.edu. He can help you navigate MaineStreet to see the huge list of distance courses, or help arrange for a training session. We welcome you to be a part of the flagship University of Maine at the Hutchinson Center in Belfast regardless of how you attend class!

 Sue McCullough is director of the University of Maine Frederick E. Hutchinson Center Center and associate dean, Division of Lifelong Learning