NMC's Voices of Vets captures the testimonials of veterans of the difficulties of transitioning from the life of military operations back into the civilian role of a college student.
Veterans often return to civilian life emotionally and psychologically changed from serving time in combative or high-stress situations. Veterans may also experience physical changes such as sensory damage and physical limitations that can hinder their ability to learn and be successful in academia. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are common disabilities that many veterans often occur during duty or face post-military involvement. These disabilities can lead to memory loss, social anxiety disorder, and depression.
As an online student, even though some veterans may feel more comfortable in a home environment because it is more familiar, feels safer, and is more likely to reduce external stimuli that can trigger emotional and psychological responses, it may not always be the most appropriate learning venue. For some, online learning may lead to learning challenges. For example, a more silent environment without a lot of stimuli or other people around may increase one’s anxiety because it could cause feelings of isolation, which for some may include fearful memories such as the silence before a potential ambush or being separated from your platoon during active duty. Online learning involves technology, which for some can be difficult to learn, especially if a person suffers from memory or sensory loss and learning challenges that resulted from a TBI. Online learning is also more independent-driven which may be difficult for some veterans who get easily distracted and have difficulty focusing.
For faculty members who teach online courses, they can help address the potential learning obstacles of veterans by adopting an extremely open and supportive attitude towards their student’s needs and be willing to make special accommodations for them if needed throughout the course. This could include giving them the option to attend on-campus classroom lecture when they are feeling isolated from the class, setting them up with IT contacts to help troubleshoot technical difficulties, prearranging more frequent touch-base conversations, not only with them but also their academic advisors to monitor their progress and address issues, and assuring they know what additional student resources are available to them including the potential need for testing accommodations. If available, getting them in contact with other veteran attending students could serve as an important support resource.
In addition to veterans who may struggle with online learning, any student who has attention issues may find it difficult to stay focused and be self-disciplined enough to follow a timely schedule. Technologically challenged students, who often include older students, may find online learning frustrating because of the vast amount of technological knowledge that is required to fulfill the requirements of an online class. Furthermore, students with a busy household may be challenged to find the time or stay focused compared to if they were in a classroom setting. In addition, some international students may face challenges with online learning if language or technological barriers exist.
Grant McKay