The interview below originally appeared on digitallearn.org about his work as the Digital Literacy Instructor at Connect Arkansas.
What do you do at your organization?
I am their Digital Literacy Instructor and I’m expanding Connect Arkansas’s Adult Digital Literacy program from 17 counties to all 75 counties in the state. It helps that I only have to do the northern half.
How do you support digital literacy and digital inclusion in your organization or your work?
Connect Arkansas works to increase high-speed Internet subscriptions and improve and sustain Internet adoption throughout Arkansas, which is one of the least connected states in the country.
Our Adult Digital Literacy program was created on the theory that those who either don’t know how to use the Internet or why they should be on it will be unmotivated to seek an Internet subscription.
Why do you think digital literacy and digital inclusion are important?
Digital literacy is an essential tool to participate in contemporary civic life. Individuals without basic computer skills face big hurdles around everything from entering/reentering the workforce, to continuing their education, to being informed voters and patients. They also stay disconnected from so many amazing opportunities to plug into global citizenship.
Individuals who don’t have basic digital literacy skills are at a disadvantage when they need to apply for a job online (which is now required by most Fortune 500 companies), to finish a degree when classes are online, or soon even getting their GED as starting this January tests will only be offered on computers. This has been making a profound impact on regional economies in low-income, rural areas.
Beyond that, digital literacy is a platform for participating in the emerging global economy of ideas, where everyone can have their voices heard and everyone can engage with people on every corner of the globe. For myself, I’ve used different online resources to make friends all over the world (Couchsurfing, Twitter), was identified for a job position and then offered that job (LinkedIn), and have seen great ideas get funding to have a real impact in my (offline) community (Indiegogo, RallySTL). Lately, I’ve been on Facebook a lot checking in on my friends in central Philippines who were hit by Typhoon Haiyon and seeing how I can best get involved in relief efforts. Through the Internet, everyone has the potential to be a global citizen and develop the relationships, ideas, and opportunities needed to launch anything from a new business to a social movement.
Do you have any success stories or anecdotes about the impact of your work supporting digital literacy or digital inclusion?
I get a lot of people who have never read an email, who have never typed, or who have never before been on a computer. Every day I see people leave with brand-new skills, and it’s not unusual for me to hear them say that they can now do something that they didn’t think they could ever do. While I focus most of the class time on the actual material, I spend the last ten minutes having them talk to each other about what challenges they’ve had in the class and how they overcame these challenges. I find that by helping people feel comfortable and empowered around computers magnifies the impact of the class.
What is one thing that you would like to see happen at the local level to increase the impact of digital literacy?
Workforce development is essential for the survival of many rural communities in Arkansas.
Between 2000-2009, Eastern Arkansas lost 9% of its population while southern Arkansas lost 7%, leading to a surge of poverty and unemployment in many of these counties. In order for these places to be more competitive in the 21st century economy these regions need to create new job opportunities that cater to the current demands of the global economy. Digital literacy needs to be a serious component of such plans.
Online services can frequently be provided from anywhere and companies like Onshore Outsourcing is creating well-paying IT jobs in rural Missouri which serves companies all around the country. By investing in workplace education, Onshore Outsourcing is taking full advantage of the low cost of living while deeply enriching the small towns where they employ local people. This sort of innovative thinking is vital if we are to create economic stability in these regions of the state.
What is one thing that you would like to see happen at the national level to increase the impact of digital literacy?
We need national leadership in STEM education for kids, especially for those in marginalized communities. A lot of people don’t understand that by just letting kids play with computer coding in the fifth grade they can develop a very high-demand, well-paying skill before they even graduate high school. Focusing attention on computer programming initiatives in historically marginalized communities where quality STEM education is scarce would create a huge return on investment for these areas.
What is one new digital skill you recently learned?
I also work for a St. Louis–based start-up called Openly Disruptive where we developed a software program that lets people create online, geotagged collages that tell the hidden histories of their neighborhood. It’s really fun and we kind of trick people into learning basic coding skills. I was on the administrative side of the program so the coding is new to me but learning how programming works it has helped me better communicate how computers work in my classes.
What is one digital skill you recently taught?
Beyond the basics of creating email addresses or answering “How do I turn this thing on” I recently created a few “next steps” handouts that I go over at the end of each session.
One takes the principles of Design Thinking and applies these general methods to solving computer issues that students might later encounter. The other provides a list of self-guided learning websites on everything from cyber security to typing to creating a Prezi. It also includes tried and true steps of making sure your computer is working right (e.g. “Have you tried turning it off and on again?”).
What are your favorite online tools for digital literacy support and/or training?
Mousercise (via Palm Beach County Library) and Mouse Exercises (via Senior Net) are great tools to help first-time computer users feel comfortable being on a computer. I also use a lot of materials I find on DigitalLearn.org. Their step-by-step guides for search engines and email have been very well received by my students. I’ve also found great materials and resources on their community discussion boards.
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