Tag Archives: Best Practices
Summer 2011 Summary
Net Literacy had a busy and exciting summer: Financial Connects programs, over a five week period, engaged core city 42 students to create 91 financial literacy videos that correlated with the Department of Education’s Financial Literacy Standards. Net Literacy taught 100 core city students how to create a business plan and 21st Century learning skills as 16 teams of students competed to most effectively engage a distinguished group of judges including executives from foundations, school, the nonprofit, and for-profit sectors. …
Cyber Cafe Association of India Brings Internet to the People
Editor’s Choice “Best Practice” for Digital Literacy How does an enterprising association empower the people of an enterprising country with the power of the Internet? The Cyber Cafe Association of India (CCAOI) brings the world class infrastructure that entrepreneurs and citizens require to the masses – and is helping to facilitate the significant economic growth that India is enjoying. Part of the CCAOI’s success is because they work closely with the Government, Regulators, Policy Makers, and mjaor Industry Chambers. Digital …
One-on-One Training Works When Other Instruction Doesn’t
Some senior citizens, new immigrants, those with disabilities, and others have taken computer training in past without success. Those individuals tend to be more technophobic and many believe that they cannot learn because the are “too old” or for other reasons. One NGO using the Senior Connects model has experienced a 90% “graduation rate” with this type of populations group – but it involved teaching these individuals on a one-to-one basis so that the lessons covering the materials in the …
Users’ Value Propositions Creates Digital Literacy Context
Digital Literacy is a process. It includes identifying a prospective user’s value proposition and overcoming barriers, concerns, and misconceptions about accessing the Internet, teaching computer and Internet skills, educating the user about Internet safety, providing those applications and websites that make use of the Internet relevant to the user, technical support, and of course, broadband connectivity. Some NGOs reinforce a new users’ value proposition during each training session, allowing the last 10 minutes of each hour training session to discuss …
NGOs use Digital Literacy to Create a Cycle of Philanthropy
Many NGOs teach philanthropy by example – and children, when offered an explanation, embraced the concept of “giving back to others” at an early age. The Digital Generation seems to take to technology more readily than other generations, and the mastery of technology will be increasingly important to this generation’s ability to compete and enjoy the richness that will be increasingly most accessible via broadband and the Internet. Also, children that are the beneficiaries of computer labs and computer training …
Digital Connects Launches Alpha 1.0
Digital Connects Launches Alpha V1.0 on September 3, 2010 At the request of ISP associations, broadband providers, NGOs, businesses, and governments, Net Literacy was asked to create a digital literacy “best practices” website. Construction of the website began on August 25th, testing began on August 27th, and the Alpha v1.0 of this site was launched on September 3, 2010. Additional website functionality is in the process of being added. More than a dozen partners/contributors/supporters from three continents have already provided …
NGOs Increase the Digital Literacy of the Disabled
Visual impairment, hearing loss, mobility impaired, and a host of other disabilities result in population groups with disabilities having lower broadband adoption when compared to the universe of potential users. NGOs use a variety of tactics to help those with disabilities. Specialized equipment is difficult to procure but innovative NGOs are able to work with caregivers to identify alternative solutions. Training manuals with larger print, one-on-one training with those that are hearing impaired, and installing computer labs inside independent living …
NGO Volunteers Gains as Much as They Give
Some NGOs empower student volunteers to help teach digital literacy. Those individuals learn job skills, and life skills while serving their community. As stated by one volunteer, “I volunteered to help teach others – but I found that I learned more than those that I taught.”
The Digital Divide and the Intergenerational Divide
Digital inclusion NGOs use many approaches to reach out to the members of their communities. Sometimes student volunteers teach inside independent living facilities, some schools adopt senior centers, and some schools invite senior citizens into their school to be taught by students after school. Through this program, as the digital divide is being crossed by seniors, the intergenerational divide is being crossed by student-volunteers.
Internet Safety Training is a Critical Aspect of Digital Literacy
Some non-adopters do not choose to become digitally literate because they are concerned about their safety on the Internet. Cyber-bullying, Net predators, viruses, scams and fraud – there are as many dangers online as there are in the “real world.” But knowledge is power and those NGOs that include Internet safety training as a required component of their digital literacy program are providing those they serve the complete product.