From Reading to Learning

John Horrigan, Ph. D.,  Pew Research Center - speaker.


I attended this program to learn about adult education and how libraries support it through technology and digital literacy.  The premise is that the path to learning is not smooth for all.  Technology impacts learning and there are gaps created by socioeconomic status and level of adults' digital skills.


Findings of Pew Research Center
1.  The internet plays a role in learning but place matters
2.  Those with less education are less likely to pursue personal learning
3.  Digital skills matter a great deal in opening up the possibility of using technology in learning
4.  There are gaps in awareness of library services - presents opportunity for libraries to reach out to non-library users and change their perception - close to 1/2 of the people surveyed through the Pew study didn't know what services were offered at the library
5.  Library use by adults has declined - in part because the job situation has improved so adults go less to the library to look for jobs
6.  Lifelong learning is not evenly distributed - lower income adults are not as engaged in lifelong learning but they do trust the library - 73% of all Americans consider themselves lifelong learners
7.  There are also gaps in digital readiness - if you have a college degree, you're more digitally ready  - this was assessed in study by asking adults if they were aware of contemporary "ed tech" terms (i.e. distance learning, digital badges, common core standards)
8.  Senior like technology once they get past the hurdles and their fear of it


The results of this 5 year Pew Research Center study were interesting and thought-provoking.  Another well organized presentation.