December 2023
Volume 1 | Issue 11 | December 1, 2023
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Give the Gift of Digital Literacy
Did you know that 23% of Maryland households lack broadband internet service? If you are a community member or organization that is looking to empower your neighbors with tech tools and education, Marylanders Online can help! The ability to access and use the internet presents a world of services, from healthcare and banking to education and employment. It is more crucial than ever for people to have access to, and the skills to use, computers, tablets, smartphones, and the internet. Help foster digital equity in Maryland by ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to acquire essential digital competencies by bridging the digital divide and empowering individuals to thrive in an increasingly digital world. Download and share the Marylanders Online marketing toolkit here.
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Did you know that the Marylanders Online website offers a variety of resources to promote digital equity and inclusion for all Marylanders? Take a tour of the website to get help with locating free WiFi, securing a device, finding affordable internet options, or accessing self-guided training resources. | |  |
Maryland residents are encouraged to read the draft Statewide Digital Equity Plan, which will serve as the state roadmap to achieve digital equity over the next five years. Public comments are welcomed by email to OSB.DE@maryland.gov before midnight on December 2. Read the draft plan. | | |
Do you have a resource that supports digital equity and inclusion in Maryland? Share it here. | |
What's New with Marylanders Online? | |
The Maryland Digital Equity Coalition (MDEC) met on November 27 to discuss feedback for the draft State Digital Equity Plan. Join the MDEC here. | |
UME Tech Educator Keri Grant supporting a device distribution event in St. Mary's County. | |
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UMD INFO at MD Tech Connect
The College of Information Studies (INFO) Marylanders Online curriculum team is set to present at MD Tech Connect 2023 on Tuesday, December 5th. They will discuss the development of the Marylanders Online digital literacy repository, a tool accessible to all Maryland residents and digital literacy providers within the state. INFO Professor and Associate Dean Dr. Mega Subramaniam, Ph.D. candidates Alison Harding and Jane Behre, and UME Instructional Designer Uhjin Sim will present during the breakout session, "Marylanders Online: Bringing Digital Literacy Resources to every Marylander." The session will delve into the customizable train-the-trainer content curated by the curriculum team, and detail their curriculum curation process, emphasizing the incorporation of insights from Marylanders and digital literacy stakeholders into these invaluable resources. More on the Marylanders Online curriculum.
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Aziz Hurtado Olson
UME Tech Educator
Aziz Hurtado Olson is a University of Maryland Extension Tech Educator for Montgomery and Howard counties. He has a background in community outreach and education, with previous work experience including obesity prevention in Latino communities, sewage-related overflow outreach in Baltimore City, and medical supply distribution in rural Bolivia. Aziz received his B.S. in Cellular and Molecular Biology from Towson University and is currently pursuing an MPH in Environmental Health Science from the University of Maryland.
Aziz is a tremendous asset to the team, and looks forward to partnering with agencies in his region to promote digital literacy, equity, and inclusion.
Learn more about the UME Marylanders Online team here.
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We're Growing Our Team!
The University of Maryland Extension is seeking more great people to join our team. Bilingual and statewide positions are available. Please email for additional information.
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Tech Extension
Educator / Navigator
Cecil / Kent / QAC / Caroline
Apply Here
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Tech Extension
Educator / Navigator
Prince George' / Anne Arundel
Apply Here
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Tech Extension
Educator / Navigator
Carroll / Frederick Counties
Apply Here
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Tech Extension
Educator / Navigator
College Park
Apply Here
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Marylanders Online Helpline | |
November Call Volume
The Marylanders Online tech helpline received 1,290 calls in the month of November, 118 of which were Spanish calls.
The helpline can be reached at 1-866-206-8467 during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or by emailing marylandersonline@umd.edu.
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Talk Text Train Sessions
Tuesdays and Thursdays
October through December
Join Marylanders Online and Maryland Accessible Telecommunications (MAT) for the interactive Talk, Text, Train virtual training series, designed to bring people together and foster meaningful conversations and skill building around accessible technology.
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ACP Event
Event details: Click here
Date: Saturday, December 2nd
Time: 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location: Olney Library
3500 Olney Laytonsville Road, Olney
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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.
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