Collaborations Between Digital Literacy & Traditional Literacy Denise Linn, Program Analyst for Smart ChicagoLiteracenter Brown Bag Lunch11.24.15

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This PresentationIntroductions

Overview of digital literacy & digital skills programming

The current state of connectivity in Chicago and across the U.S.

Overview of Connect Chicago

Frameworks for collaboration between literacy organizations & digital literacy organizations

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IntroductionsI am the Program Analyst at Smart Chicago. I manage the Connect Chicago initiative.

I have a background in Internet Policy (broadband access, digital equity, spectrum policy).

Confession: I work in technology, but I have a degree in English Literature!

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The Smart Chicago Collaborative is a civic organization devoted to improving lives in Chicago through technology.

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Who are you?Name & affiliation

What have you been up to lately?

What drew you to this event?

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An Overview of Digital Literacy & Digital Skills Programming

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What do I mean by “digital literacy”?Digital literacy means grasping the digital skills that are needed for basic civic and economic engagement.

The definition of functional digital literacy is fluid. The first lesson stays the same (this is a “mouse”), but the definition of “literate enough” shifts. Digital literacy is relative to time and location.

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Digital literacy means very little without access to the Internet and access to devices.

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Why Are People Not Online? Several Reasons:Cost of a Monthly Subscription: “I can’t afford the Internet.”

Access to a Device: “I can’t afford a computer.”

Access to the Internet: “I can’t get a connection.”

Skill Barriers: “I don’t know how to use it.”

Relevancy: “I don’t know why I need it.”

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Digital Skills & Access Programming ComponentsPrograms typically use one or a combination of the following:

1. Digital Literacy/Skills Training2. Free, Refurbished or Low-Cost Devices3. Reduced monthly Internet subscriptions4. Engagement & Outreach Campaigns.

Using a collection of these program components means tackling several barriers to digital literacy & access at once.

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What is the State of Connectivity in Chicago?

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24.9% of households do not have Internet access (ACS 2014)

19.7% of households do not have computers (ACS 2014)

To the right is broadband use by community area (Mossberger, 2013)

Unconnected households tend to be lower income, minority & have lower educational attainment.

Some Facts about Chicago:

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Let’s Compare...

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% No Internet Access

% No Internet Subscription

% Income <35K with no Internet subscription

% No Computer % of Internet Subscribers mobile alone or w/ dial-up

U.S. 20.1% 24.2% 45.6% 14.9% 7.8%

New York City 21.1% 24.6% 43.7% 16.2% 3.7%

Los Angeles 19.6% 23.4% 41.9% 14.3% 7.0%

Chicago 24.1% 30.2% 52.0% 19.5% 7.9%

Houston 25.9% 30.3% 50.6% 17.9% 18.1%

Philadelphia 27.0% 31.9% 48.8% 20.1% 8.0%

*Percentages in households, American Community Survey Estimates 2014

Connectivity Across Chicago

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All MSA Census Tracts: Chicago Census Tracts:

What is the state of digital training in Chicago?We don’t know. We’d like to do something about that.

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Connect Chicago aims to make Chicago the most connected, most skilled, most dynamic digital city in America.

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Connect Chicago Goals

Increase access to the Internet

Increase digital skills

Increase economic & civic engagement through technology

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Connect Chicago will strengthen & expand the digital access and skills sector of Chicago.

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Connect Chicago Ingredients to SuccessCommunity-Building & Collaboration: We’re expanding the number of digital training hours across the City, continuing our Meetup program, & creating a new platform (website) for digital trainers.

Data: We’re planning to collect program data from around Chicago to understand demand for training (and types of training). We’re also planning to conduct a citywide survey on Internet access & digital skills.

Unique & Numerous Partners: Chicago Public Library, LISC Chicago, MacArthur, Chicago Department of Innovation & Technology, the Mayor’s Office, Chicago Public Schools, World Business Chicago

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Collaboration is not just a word.

Smart Chicago just published its entire Youth-Led Tech curriculum online. We’ve also shared every meta how-to we can think of: catering, instructor recruitment, marketing tools, etc. HERE.

We hope to lead by example to avoid duplicative efforts/investments.

Frameworks for Collaboration between Digital Literacy & Traditional Literacy Organizations

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Digital Literacy vs. Traditional Literacy

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Demand for training at many ability levels

with many audiences.

Many organizations & training sites

Reliant on access to at-home resources

& support

Literacy Field

Digital Literacy

Field

Definitions for success are not defined or standardized.

“Functional digital/technical literacy” is a moving target.

Basic literacy is a prerequisite.

Definitions for success are

defined (ex: 3rd grade reading

level).

The mediums are changing.

Computer & digital literacy is

part of greater literacy.

Digital Training + Traditional Literacy Partnership cases in other cities: Kansas City has a digital inclusion grant fund that have been won by traditional adult literacy programs. Those programs expanded their programming to include basic digital training.

Design & Tech Can Help Literacy: Mobile learning, for instance, is a platform being leveraged by trainers and builders helping populations with lower literacy.

Literacy is the foundation of digital skills: Many digital literacy classes and tools require a certain reading level.

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Complementary Missions“Working together, we envision a future in which 100% of Chicagoland residents are functionally literate, and in which that shared literacy is a defining characteristic and point of pride for the city.

From reading an early picture book all the way through acquiring essential computer and communications technology skills, literacy is the key to a successful and independent life, and to a vibrant and sustainable city…” The Mission of the Chicago Literacy Alliance

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An Inventory of Needs & Strengths

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NEEDS STRENGTHS

Digital SkillsProgramming

● Better ESL support● Better training for true beginners● Referrals to next steps ● More training & support● Lower the relevancy barrier● Better device/access support● Better outcome measures

● Connection to professional development

● Trusted institutions● Technology is fun! ● Institutional time & commitment

to digital skills is rising

Traditional Literacy Programming

● Referrals to next steps ● More training & support● Institutional time & commitment

to literacy

● Captures & understands most vulnerable and in-need learners

● Trusted institutions● Public awareness & value● Cohort learning & social support

Some Ideas for CollaborationHelp us assign reading levels to digital training classes & curricula

Help us outreach to basic digital learners with lower literacy levels & improve their learning experiences

Create a strong referral network of programs (most important)

Together we can build tech tools that can support & help all users (CUTGroup!)

Let’s hang out and come up with more ideas!

#ConnectChicago | @DKLinn | @SmartChicago | @Literacenter

#ConnectChicago | @DKLinn | @SmartChicago | @Literacenter

Hang out with us!

Join the Connect Chicago Meetup GroupWe convene trainers, nonprofit professionals, corporate partners and city employees together about once a month to have a themed conversation and share tools/ideas.

Having more literacy advocates and professionals there would strengthen our community. Please join us:http://www.meetup.com/ConnectChicago/

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Sign up for CUTGroupWe pay residents of Chicago & Cook County to test websites and applications. No experience or knowledge is needed. You don’t need to know about tech to make tech better.

“If it doesn’t work for you, it doesn’t work!”

Sign-up is easy. Go to CUTGroup.org OR text “Hello” to (773)747-6239

Residents get $5 just for signing up and $20 per test!

Here is a link to a handout.

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Come to Our PartyEveryone is invited! There will be food, drinks and good company.

Save the date: December 14, 2015 at the Chicago Cultural Center

RSVP to the Smart Chicago Holiday Party here:http://www.meetup.com/ConnectChicago/events/226741731/

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Learn More About Smart Chicago’s ProjectsWhat we’re about: Technology, Open, Everyone, Chicago.

The Civic User Testing Group (CUTGroup)

Expunge.io

Youth-Led Tech

Smart Health Centers

Connect Chicago

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#ConnectChicago | @DKLinn | @SmartChicago | @Literacenter

AppendixFor participants to fill out!

An Inventory of Needs & Strengths

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NEEDS STRENGTHS

Digital SkillsProgramming

Traditional Literacy Programming

Ideas for Collaboration

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