There is a persistent myth that the "typical" college student is an 18-year-old living in a campus dormitory. The data tells a completely different story. Today, adult students—generally categorized by researchers and federal agencies as postsecondary learners aged 25 and older—represent a massive and vital segment of higher education.

When people talk about technology in education, the conversation usually centers on remote lectures or online assignments. But in the world of community colleges, trade schools, and technical institutes, a much more exciting technological revolution is taking place.