DIGITAL INCLUSION HOME | SCHEDULE OF EVENTS | RESOURCES | SOCIAL MEDIA | ADULT LEARNERS
National Digital Inclusion Week (DIW) is an annual week of awareness, recognition, and celebration. With support from COABE, members will have access to daily specialized programming, a social media toolkit, advocacy and awareness tools, and state of the art resources.
Everyone deserves the opportunity to use technology to live, learn, work, and thrive, and adult education reaches all of the covered populations under the Digital Equity Act and BEAD funding. We hope you will join us throughout the week to learn, share, network, advocate, and promote digital equity in your program and community!
“I really enjoyed all of the sessions, and the digital literacy session was amazing! “
Haley, ESL Instructor, NC
| Monday, October 7, 2024 | ||
|
11:00 am ET |
Digital Inclusion week Grand Opening AI Literacy: Preparing Students for Success in a Digital Age |
Grand Opening Speakers: Shaketta Thomas, Board President and Sharon Bonney, Chief Executive Officer Expert Presenter: Vi Hawes, Educational Technology Consultant |
|
2:00 pm ET |
Three Pillars of Digital Inclusion We are in an exciting information age – 1. We are working toward equal access to internet services and websites, and 2. providing needed digital skills for those who need it. There are many wonderful facets of these two pillars – and the third pillar is Accessibility. What does that look like? Join us to learn how this applies to everyone – those that need accessibility services to become full digital citizens and how that improves the digital experience for all of us. We need to ensure materials, websites, and other technologies are fully accessible to everyone, no matter their ability. View Presentation |
Expert Presenters: Debbie Jensen and Penny Pearson from Outreach and Technical Assistance Network (OTAN) |
| Tuesday, October 8, 2024 | ||
|
2:00 pm ET |
Protecting Seniors From Scams: Why Webinars (Even This One) Are Not Enough As one of the most vexing problems of the century, we are witnessing the escalating speed, scale, and level of sophistication of online deception (spear phishing and catfishing scams, personal information hunting schemes, fake content, AI-assisted impersonation, and misinformation on social media) that have severe consequences. The most impacted demographic is older adults, who are disproportionately targeted for online exploitation, manipulation, and fraud resulting in significant financial loss, emotional distress, and even loss of independence.Many free resources about scams exist in the form of websites, articles, videos, and blog posts. However, simply providing these resources does not work—they are inaccessible to many people due to jargon or interfaces that do not accommodate the needs of older adults. Webinars, like this one, provide another avenue for learning, that is more engaging and interactive. In this webinar we will discuss:
Advanced techniques: DeepFakes, Website Encryption, and How to set secure passwords. |
Expert Presenter: Cynthia Stewart, DART Collective |
| Wednesday, October 9, 2024 | ||
|
2:00 pm ET |
Tech-Savvy Together: Enhancing Digital Skills Across Ages Step into a world where digital literacy transcends age barriers! Discover the transformative potential of intergenerational digital literacy, where life experience meets innovation. Explore strategies and models that highlight the magic of bringing different generations together in the digital realm. Learn how to harness the unique strengths of each age group to create vibrant, inclusive learning environments to revolutionize your digital literacy programs. View Presentation |
Expert Presenter: Jackie Aguilera, Mayor’s Office for Adult Literacy |
| Thursday, October 10, 2024 | ||
|
2:00 pm ET |
Using EdTech Tools to Develop and Strengthen Digital Skills for Real-Life Which educational technology tools do you use the most? How do you decide which edtech tool to use when? What digital skills are most important for the adult learners in your classes? In this session we will come up with answers to all of these questions by exploring three edtech tools: Quizlet, Google Slides, and QR Codes. We will identify the real-life digital skills that can be learned and practiced while using these tools for content instruction, how to decide which tool is right for the moment, and how to find more edtech tools when you’re ready for them. View Presentation |
Expert Presenter: Nell Eckersley, NYC Support and Technical Assistance Center at the Literacy Assistance Center |
| Friday, October 11, 2024 | ||
|
11:00 am ET |
Resources for a Digital Inclusion Community In a collaborative initiative among multiple partners to create a network for sharing information and skills, many resources are needed. These efforts provide free Digital Literacy training both locally and virtually, with referrals to programs across the state. They also offer support for device ownership, internet access, and additional training on completing essential online forms. The programs prioritize in-need neighborhoods, equipping individuals with crucial digital skills for everyday tasks, education, workforce development, and broader access. |
Expert Presenter: Michael Matos, scaleLit |
|
2:00 pm ET |
Digital Inclusion Panel Discussion: The Power of State Association Collaboration In an increasingly digital world, access to technology and the skills to use it effectively are essential for equitable social participation. This panel discussion will explore the transformative potential of state association collaboration in promoting digital inclusion across diverse communities. Our distinguished panelists—each a leader in the field—will share their unique perspectives on how strategic partnerships can bridge the digital divide. |
Expert Moderator: Jennifer Wigginton, Executive Director, Indiana Association for Adult and Continuing Education Panel: Amy Wood, LARA Educational Opportunities, Cathie Bledsoe, The Literacy Alliance, Melinda Grismer, Purdue Center for Regional Development |
