I was so nervous. My boss said, "Here it is!" And there on my desk was something completely new to me. It was a computer, complete with programs I had no idea how to use. "Now, learn it!" was the second thing he said, then left.
The first day, I kept doing something wrong. The screen would go blank, and I would lose everything I had typed. What in the world was I doing wrong? It was very frustrating.
Somehow I managed to learn the programs on my new computer. But it would have been so much easier if I'd had something (or someone!) to help me with it. Now I love computers. But back then, I was afraid of them.
Nontraditional students who are older (maybe 45 and older?) sometimes can have trouble in school just because they don't know how to use a computer correctly. Sure, there are computer labs, and people are willing to help, but most of the older students I have met would rather take a beginning computer course or typing class.
Once I had somebody tell me, "I wish I'd taken a brush-up class on my typing. Now that I am in school it is too late." Well... that person did have a hard time. One class they were taking was speech class, and they were required to type up their assignments. I think the teacher let them write them in longhand. But not all teachers are as accommodating.
One solution: have entering nontraditional students be able to take a refresher course and a basic computing class - IF they need it. They will be more prepared then. Even better, new older students could brush up on typing and take an intro computer class before they start school.
All for now,
-Betsyanne
Some of my links!
The Nontrad site and blog
The Betsyanne page and blog
My Squidoo Pages and referral