February 2024
Volume 2 | Issue 2
| |
Marylanders Online to Present at the 2024 Net Inclusion Conference | |
|
The Net Inclusion conference is an annual gathering of the digital inclusion community sponsored by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) that invites practitioners, advocates, academics, internet service providers, and policymakers to one place to discuss and dive into policies affecting digital equity at local, state, Tribal, and federal levels. The event covers various aspects of digital inclusion from programming, digital navigation, digital health equity, and accessibility to serving diverse populations, and community-centered work.
University of Maryland Extension (UME) Team members Isaias Tesfalidet and Uhjin Sim are looking forward to taking part in the #NetInclusion2024 conference in Philadelphia from February 13th - 15th and representing Marylanders Online's work.
| |
Isaias Tesfalidet, UME's Marylanders Online Project Director. will be part of the panel discussion, "Proven Strategies for Scaling Digital Navigation and Coalitions" which will detail the digital equity work occurring through the Maryland Digital Equity Coalition. Learn more about the session. | |  |
Uhjin Sim, UME Instructional Designer, will participate in the panel discussion, "Connecting Digital Literacy to the Adult Learning Ecosystem" during which she will the extensive inclusion work involved in Marylanders Online's research, resources, and outreach to underserved populations. Learn more about the session. | | |
View more digital literacy events at the end of this newsletter. | |
ACP Wind Down
Applications for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) will no longer be accepted after February 7th.The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced that the ACP is expected to end this spring barring additional funding being appropriated by Congress. As a result, the FCC has begun taking steps to wind down the ACP. Households enrolled in the ACP are projected to continue to receive ACP benefits through April 2024.These dates are estimates and subject to change. Learn more on the FCC website.
| |
| | |
Marylanders Online Goes Abroad | |
This past January, University of Maryland College of Information Studies Professor Mega Subramaniam conducted a seminar discussion and two workshops at the Center for Trusted Internet and Community at the National University of Singapore. The event attracted researchers, policymakers, digital literacy providers, and think tanks. Professor Subramaniam not only advised various digital literacy stakeholders in Singapore on their projects but also presented the Marylanders Online method as a sustainable solution for digital literacy learning.
In the seminar, Professor Mega Subramaniam discussed the Marylanders Online project, aiming to bridge the gap between the use and performance aspects. The project employs a community-driven development process, incorporating the voices of Marylanders and digital literacy stakeholders into the resources. Learn more about the curriculum team's digital literacy stakeholder needs assessment.
| | | |
Empowering the Blind Community Through Accessible Technology Education | |
In 2023, Marylanders Online joined forces with Maryland Accessible Telecommunications to address the unique digital equity challenges faced by individuals with low vision and blindness. The collaboration led to the development of a virtual training series called "Talk Text and Train”, a groundbreaking, multi-month project that marks a significant milestone in the integration of digital equity practices in Maryland.
The Talk Text and Train series sessions were held bi-weekly between October 2023 and January 2024, with each session facilitated by representatives from well-known accessible technology (AT) device providers, including Hable, RealSam Pocket, Apple, Google, BlindShell USA, and RAZ Mobility. The sessions provided an in-depth overview of their AT products and were designed to be accessible to an audience with low vision or blindness.
As a direct outcome, thirty participants obtained certification to instruct others in the use of the AT devices. Maryland Department of Rehabilitation Services has also since committed to certifying attendees in recognition of the program’s value to the low vision and blind community. Read the full article.
| | | |
Congratulations to the Marylanders Online Senior Planet AARP Graduates | |
In July 2023, the Marylanders Online Senior Planet AARP collaborative program officially kicked off, catering to the digital literacy needs of individuals aged 50 and above. The initiative began by successfully graduating the first batch of seniors from the Chromebook Essentials Course at the Loffler Senior Activity Center in Great Mills, MD, with a total of six older adults completing the program. This training program offered an impressive 22 classes and resulted in the certification of 16 trainers, including all six UME Marylanders Online Tech Educators and two staff members from the Carroll Workforce Development Department. These individuals are now actively contributing to the expansion of digital literacy training for seniors.
Looking ahead, Marylanders Online already has 12 Senior Planet classes scheduled in the first three months of 2024. These virtual, quarterly courses include lectures, workshops, and course series, each lasting five weeks. The curriculum is well-structured, empowering trainers to impart essential skills to their senior learners.
| | | |
Marylanders Online 2023 Accomplishments | |
- Over 240 digital literacy events were supported statewide, including ACP sign-ups, device distributions, and digital skills classes.
- Nearly 570 digital skills resources were curated, including 403 Give Help resources and 166 Get Help resources
- Over 6,000 Digital Navigation Helpline calls,12% of which were Spanish
- Nearly 7,000 users visited the Marylanders Online website.
| |
Find us on Linktree!
Looking for an easy place to access all of Marylanders Online's resources and information? Visit our LinkTree to for an easy one-stop-shop of Marylanders Online quick links.
https://linktr.ee/marylandersonline
| | | |
Pruthvi Billa
Web Content Manager
Pruthvi is a Web Content Manager who brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the Marylanders Online team. He is pursuing a Master of Science in Information Systems at the prestigious University of Maryland, where he has developed a passion for technology and website development. His academic journey equips him with the latest insights and strategies to harness the power of technology and data, enhancing his abilities and ensuring the delivery of cutting-edge, data-informed web solutions.
With a solid foundation in the field, Pruthvi has seamlessly transitioned from academia to the professional sphere. He has served in previous roles as an analyst and a software engineer at TCS, a globally renowned IT services and consulting company.
Outside of his tech-savvy endeavors, Pruthvi is an avid basketball and chess player. In addition, he has a deep appreciation for music, holding a diploma in the melodious art of Carnatic music.
We are thankful to have Pruthvi on the team!
Learn more about the UME Marylanders Online team here.
| | | |
|
|
|
Saturday, February 10th, 10 AM – 4 PM
Calvert Library Prince Frederick
Wednesday, February 21st, 12 PM– 5 PM
Northeast Community Center
Saturday, March 2nd, 10 AM - 4 PM
Southern Community Center
Wednesday, March 20th, 11 AM -5 PM
Calvert Library Fairview Branch
Learn more
| | | |
|
|
Carroll County Events
February 5th, 3 PM – 7 PM
Eldersburg Carroll County Public Library
February 8th, 3 PM – 7 PM
Finksburg Carroll County Public Library
February 9th, 11 AM – 2 PM
Carroll Nonprofit Center
Learn more
| | | |
|
|
Montgomery County Events
What is AI?
Thursday, February 29th, 3 PM - 4:15 PM
Olney Library
Learn more
| | | |
|
|
|
Wednesday, February 7th in Smithsburg
2:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Appointments required, call 301-824-7722
Thursday, February 8th in Sharpsburg
1:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Appointment required, call 301-432-8825
Saturday, February 10th in Hancock
10:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Appointment required, call 301-678-5300
Tuesday, February 13th in Hagerstown
9:30 AM- 12:30 PM
Appointments required (FULL)
Saturday, February 24th in Smithsburg
11:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Appointments required, call 301-824-7722
Saturday, February 24th in Clear Spring
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Appointment required, call 301-842-2730
Learn more
| | | |
|
|
Wicomico Device Distribution Events
Wicomico Partnership for Families and Children
Thursday, February 4th
9 AM -11 AM and 5 PM - 7 PM
Learn more
| | | |
Marylanders Online Helpline | |
|
University programs, activities, and facilities are available to all without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, national origin, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, religion, protected veteran status, genetic information, personal appearance, or any other legally protected class.
If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any event or activity, please contact your local University of Maryland Extension Office.
| | | | |
