Digital literacy training offers participants opportunities to level up their tech skills

In August, Connected Nation (CN) partnered with local libraries to offer its digital skills training program at two locations in Oklahoma. Thanks to the support of AT&T, classes were offered free of charge to the community over two days at each location. Class sessions included Computer Basics, Internet Basics, Internet Safety, Email Basics, Mobile Device Basics and Videoconferencing.

CN is dedicated to providing training opportunities to anyone who is interested in adopting and using technology more effectively, especially those in disadvantaged populations. Community organizations work with CN staff on scheduling, logistics and delivery of the in-person training.

Lawton Public Library, Aug. 20-21

CN had a fanatastic turnout at the Lawton Public Library for our digital training sessions. The library director and IT staff worked hard to spread the word about the classes, using their monthly newsletter, putting up flyers, and encouraging people to tell their friends. It’s clear that the library is a key part of the community, so it’s no surprise that so many people were excited to attend.

The library was busy throughout the first day, with people coming and going for the training sessions. Word of mouth spread quickly. In fact, attendance increased significantly on the second day, after a segment about the training appeared on the 6 o’clock local news. 

Kristin, the library director, did a great job making sure everything ran smoothly. She was directly involved in the training and even brought in two staff members to help. This support was especially important because the classes were large, and many of the students were just starting to learn digital skills. We were thankful for the extra help, as it made it easier to manage the class size and give more attention to each student.

Classes had a mix of beginner and intermediate users, and each person walked away having learned new skills — whether it was on their phone, computer, email, or Zoom. CN heard feedback from particpants that our patience and understanding as trainers were appreciated by all, and having extra staff in the room made sure things went smoothly.

One exciting outcome of the sessions was a potential volunteer who expressed interest in leading future training. This was a welcome surprise, as we believe learning digital skills takes time, and not everyone can absorb everything in just one or two days. Having someone from the community step up to help in the future means the library can continue to offer these valuable sessions to more people.

Overall, the digital training at Lawton Public Library was a big success, with strong community involvement and positive feedback from all who attended. The teamwork between the library staff and Connected Nation ensured that everyone had a good experience and left feeling more confident in their digital skills.

Chickasha Public Library Aug. 22-23

Although the crowd at Chickasha Public Library was smaller than at Lawton, everyone who attended was truly thankful for the opportunity. The library first heard about CN’s AT&T Digital Skills Training Program through a woman who had attended a Lawton training previously and shared the details with the library director. This community connection was key, and we’re so grateful for moments like this where one person’s experience helps bring valuable resources to another community. It just shows the power of word of mouth, and how these training sessions can benefit even more people when communities stay connected.

This particular training was an exciting experience. We met some truly wonderful community members who were eager to learn. One attendee, in particular, showed interest in organizing more digital training at their local church in Chickasha. Their goal is to help everyone get comfortable with computers so they can eventually hold virtual Bible studies — a fantastic idea that shows how these skills can be used to strengthen community bonds in new and meaningful ways.

We left Chickasha feeling inspired by the participants' enthusiasm and commitment to learning. It’s these kinds of connections and shared goals that make the trainings so rewarding, not just for those attending, but for us as trainers as well. 

We hope to return soon to continue helping more people in Chickasha and surrounding communities develop the skills they need to navigate the digital world with confidence.

Bring digital skills training to your community

We encourage anyone and everyone to take part in these sessions, especially seniors who didn’t grow up with technology. These classes are incredibly valuable, giving participants the chance to develop basic digital skills that are becoming more and more essential in everyday life. It’s clear that there’s a strong need for these trainings in places like Lawton and Chickasha and many other areas across the country, and we’re excited to be part of the effort to meet that need.

For more information about how you can bring Connected Nation’s Digital Skills Training Program to your area, visit https://connectednation.org/programs/digital-literacy-learning.