Adult students face many challenges in trying to earn an education while juggling responsibilities at home and at work, but Penn State Continuing Education's Williamsport Center hopes its new Video Learning Network (VLN) program will make certifications and degrees more obtainable for adults looking to break into new career fields.
"The system was designed to connect campuses and centers all over the commonwealth ... to help adult learners in Pennsylvania attend Penn State in their own locations," said VLN Director Rosemarie Piccioni. "If you'd like to have a Penn State degree, this gives you the opportunity to do that right where you are."
The Williamsport Center, at the Water Tower Square Complex on Commerce Park Drive, is one of 16 Penn State campuses to offer high-definition video conferencing technology, allowing students and instructors in several locations to hold face-to-face discussions.
"It's all programmed in," Piccioni explained. "I would just hit a button, dial (another classroom) up and the classrooms would be connected."
Students literally can interact with fellow students and instructors on other campuses at the push of a button - a green button located at each desk allows students to train a camera on themselves and pose questions.
VLN, along with the Williamsport Center's other courses, allows students to learn at their own pace. Most adult students have a set amount of time allotted to studying and the Williamsport Center can help them balance classes with their already busy lives.
"We don't want to overwhelm them ... so our advisers help them pace themselves," said Radecka Appiah-Padi, director of the Williamsport Center.
A "laddered" system allows part-time students to build upon their past accomplishments and set small goals.
"They see themselves accomplishing ... and it keeps them going," Appiah-Padi said.
Piccioni said the VLN program continues to evolve in order to meet the needs of adult students facing external responsibilities. The Williamsport Center's goal for the VLN program is to begin offering business and nursing degrees in fall 2012.
VLN's easy-to-use format allows adults to build technology skills while earning class credits, Appiah-Padi said.
"It's like a technology bridge for the adult learner who's been gone for so long and is intimidated," she said. "It builds that comfort level with them."
In addition, students can choose the level of support needed based on their strengths - students in need of face-to-face interaction for a tougher subject can participate in VLN discussions, while students who don't need much help can take an online class and work at their own pace.
The versatility of the program also allows the Williamsport Center "to provide courses in a very cost-efficient way," according to Appiah-Padi.
"Through VLN, I can have one instructor, I can have three students here ... and we put it all together (with other locations) and we can easily have a full 12-student cohort," she said, adding that fostering discussion with students in other areas "enriches the educational experience."
Piccioni hopes adults looking to break into new careers will take advantage of VLN's flexibility.
"This is a chance for us to open up and show them what Penn State has to offer," she said.
