One of the biggest challenges currently facing higher education in relation to at-risk learners is getting them to know, be comfortable with, and consistently use technology. The many different avenues such as emails, websites, and online materials can serve as  pathways to developing those skills. At-risk learners often find that they are intimidated by technology simply due to their lack of exposure to it. Many may have WHD's but do not use them beyond the basic functions of phone, text, and posting to social media such as Facebook. Introducing them to how these devices, as wells as computers, can aid the learning process will prove to be invaluable to them.  Having the students access materials and helpful information such as what is available through the website I developed will be a part of  the leaning process. As they continue to use technology in a different manner, hopefully, they will not only become comfortable but also realize the benefits.

Currently, many higher education institutions use such classes a First-Year Seminars or Freshmen Experience classes to introduce the soft skills such as time management, note taking, effective communication, and study skills en-masse. Students may be directed to a learning center to academic success center if they need further help with these skills., but at-risk learners are also intimidated by these support departments and refuse to use them. In addition,  these materials may be found on the college website but often times these sites are convoluted and hard to navigate. Students who are not comfortable with navigating websites will not attempt to use them or will become frustrated easily by them and give up. The website I designed is straightforward, easily navigated, and void of a lot of excess materials. I also tried to make it appealing by picking links and information that is not too overwhelming or dense. I envision this website to be a part of a larger interactive technological project that  will  help support at-risk students on their academic pathways.

This project was particularly challenging for me. My brain works in such a way that I always see the whole before I see the parts and the whole for this project was a bit intimidating. I had to step back and realize that again it was one step at a time. That by following the clearly laid out directions I could create the end product. Not only was there a steep learning curve in completing this project but it also forced me to walk in the shoes of the population of learners I hope to one day work closely with. I was intimidated, I was overwhelmed, I was frustrated, but I was also able to navigate the project with the help of the interactive tools made available to me. The process of creating the website helped me to empathize with students and added to my level of understanding about their learning needs and challenges as well as what success can do for you.

One foot in front of the other!

And so it begins.......As an adult learner technology has been both intimidating and exciting. My only saving grace is a  love for all things new and a petulance for "pushing buttons." I love to click on every tab available. I recently read a research article that shed some new light on where I am in this world called technology and why I seem to always be lagging behind the younger generation. The article discussed the difference between the digital native (those from the generation where technology has always been) and a digital immigrant (those who did  not grow up with technology being a normal part of life). The article likened it to language. Those who grow up speaking a certain language speak it fluently and clearly (the digital native) and those who learn it as a second language (digital immigrants) will always have an accent.  What I have found during this journey is group new found friends and peers, my classmates. The creativeness of their work has been inspiring, and their encouragement has given my the confidence to keep walking. So as I move forward in mastering technology and working on my accent I will welcome the new challenges, the new spaces in which to learn, and the new tools to use. Hopefully, soon, I will be walking out the door.