Examining Blended Learning for Adult Learners with Special Needs
Abstract: Literacy and Basic Skills (LBS) programs offer adult learners with a variety of special needs opportunities to improve employment skills and pre-requisite courses for entrance into post-secondary education. Barriers to learning that adult learners encounter in LBS programs might be reduced through a blended learning instructional approach. The purpose of this study was to investigate the attitudes of LBS adult learners toward blended learning. Over 90% of 149 adult learners (94 male, 55 female) agreed that their learning needs were met through face-to-face class component of the program. Only 40% of adult learners agreed that the online activities met their learning needs. Some adult learners avoided online content due to their limited computer skills or because they viewed the content as unnecessary for course completion. Adult learners noted that online learning opportunities were needed when they were not able to attend class or for support of specific learning skills.