Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: Online learning plays a significant role in addressing and eliminating many barriers single working poor mothers face in attaining skills training. Significantly, online learning provides flexibility that allows individuals to fit skills training into their schedules- taking classes at any hour or any day of the week. Further, online learning is cost-effective, saving the individual money and time in childcare and commuting. However in order to employ online learning for single working poor mothers, it is critical to employ a gendered lens and framework in order to understand not only the effective ways of using online learning for this population, but also to ensure that the technology itself does not serve a barrier to advancement for the women. In this paper I investigate how online learning is a potential venue to provide skills training to working poor single mothers, using data I collected from a program piloted by the New Jersey Department of Labor. In addition, I demonstrate the importance of government and other training organizations to attend to gender when implementing these programs.