June 2024
Volume 2 | Issue 6
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New Website Features
The Marylanders Online website has recently undergone some exciting new updates! The team has been hard at work revamping the website and making it easier for users to find the information they need.
A few of the exciting new changes include:
🔎User-friendly search box
📰News and events quick links
💻Easy navigation to digital resources
Check out all this and more at www.MarylandersOnline.umd.edu.
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Chromebook OS Appointments
If you received a Chromebook and are receiving an error upon boot-up, you may need to update its operating system (OS). Marylanders Online Digital Navigators are offering free appointments to help users with this OS recovery process. Learn more about the OS updates.
- In-person appointments will be held at the Marylanders Online office located at 8400 Baltimore Avenue Suite 104 in College Park.
- Virtual appointments will be held on Google Meet. Virtual appointments require an external computer and flash drive.
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Digital Literacy Resource Mapping
We invite all digital literacy practitioners to share the digital inclusion resources and programming available in your organization or community.
Complete the resource form here: https://go.umd.edu/MD-Resources.
We thank you for contributing to the advancement of digital equity in Maryland!
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Introducing Give Help Resources
In collaboration with the College of Information Studies (INFO), UME Marylanders Online is proud to introduce the new Give Help component of our website! This page offers tools and resources to support digital navigators and other educators.. Explore the Give Help instructional resources and access vetted resources to help digital navigators teach computer basics, job and education assistance, mobile devices, and much more. Learn more.
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Marylanders Online: Partnering in Action | | |
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CASA Wheaton Welcome Center
UME Marylanders Online has partnered with CASA, a national organization working to improve the quality of life for Black, Latino/a/e, Afro-descendent, Indigenous, and Immigrant communities. Tech Educator Gabriel Fumero assisted with the delivery and setup process of more than 40 Google Chromebooks at the CASA Wheaton Welcome Center in May.
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Frostburg Housing Authority
Tech Extension Educator Shelita Jackson brought a Chromebooks Basics class to Frostburg Housing Authority in May. Her ongoing work is dedicated to ensuring that communities across western Maryland are equipped with access to and proficiency in digital resources.
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National Digital Inclusion Alliance
Through a partnership with the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA), UME Marylanders Online trained over 100 attendees from across the United States during a two-day Digital Navigator training in May. The sessions were packed with digital skills learning sessions to help navigators advance digital literacy in their own communities.
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INFO in Libraries and Beyond
The dynamic partnership between the Marylanders Online College of Information Studies (INFO) curriculum team and Enoch Pratt Free Library received numerous accolades at the Maryland Library Association conference in Cambridge in May.
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Leveraging AI to Increase Extension Efficiency
Tech Educators Maria Barga and Naimani Staley co-presented an interactive workshop at the National Extension Technology Conference (NETC) in State College, PA this past May. Their session was entitled "Beyond Boundaries: AI-Infused Extensions for Progressive Solutions" and introduced free artificial intelligence (AI) tools that can be used to enhance productivity and streamline tasks in Extension work. The presentation was well received, offering participants real tools to increase inter-program collaboration and connections among Extension team members.
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The Marylanders Online Helpline continues to experience an upward trend in calls, with inquiries ranging from Chromebook OS recovery to scheduling appointments at local county device giveaways.
In May 2024, there were 2,260 English calls and 387 Spanish calls, amounting to a total of 2,647 calls. This is a 50% increase over April 2024, and a 17547% increase over May 2023 calls.
There has been a total of 9,267 calls to the Marylanders Online helpline in 2024 as of May 31st.*
Meet our Digital Navigators or Contact the Helpline.
*Updated data for the call center has recently been provided by Cisco. Retroactive data has been updated.
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Getachew Ferede
Digital Navigator
Getachew serves as a Digital Navigator within the UME Marylanders Online team. He has been immersed in IT-related careers for several years. Despite his initial background in Geography and Environmental Studies, he has dedicated himself to expanding his technological expertise by undertaking various digital courses. Presently, he plays a pivotal role in supporting Marylanders by providing virtual and in-person tech and internet support services. Drawing from his extensive experience, he is driven to continually enhance both his hard and soft skills. We are very grateful to have Getachew's passion and expertise on the team!
Meet the rest of the UME Marylanders Online team here.
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Digital Literacy & Equity Events | |
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Save the Date! The 2024 Maryland Statewide Digital Equity Summit is scheduled for Tuesday, October 15th at the National Federation of the Blind in Baltimore. This is the second annual holding of this event and will feature a plenary, keynote, and guest speakers in addition to several digital equity-related panel discussions with plenty of networking opportunities alongside digital inclusion leaders from across the state. Additional information is coming soon!
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The 2024 Agriculture & Technology Conference will be held at the Crown Plaza in Annapolis on December 12th. This event will explore the current and emerging technologies transforming the agriculture sector and empower Maryland farmers to adopt data-informed practices that can increase yields and enhance efficiency. Registration is coming soon. Learn more.
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Wednesday, June 5th, 1 - 4 PM
Odenton Library
Learn more
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Must be 18 years or older and live in Baltimore City to participate. One Chromebook per household. Call 443-984-4944 for more information.
June 21, 24, 25, 26, 27
Central Library
June 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 20, 21, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28
Reisterstown Road Library
June 17, 18, 20, 21, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28
Orleans Street Library
Learn more
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Montgomery County Device Distribution
Montgomery County is providing one free Chromebook to Montgomery County residents age 7+ who do not have access to a computer. You do not have to be a U.S. citizen. Limit 1 computer per person. People who previously received a computer from the County are not eligible to receive another computer. You must have an appointment to receive a computer, have a library card, be a Montgomery County resident, and bring proof of ID and address to your appointment.
Wednesday, June 12, 4 PM to 8 PM at Germantown Library
Thursday, June 13, 3 PM to 7 PM at Aspen Hill Library
Friday, June 14, 3 PM to 7 PM at White Oak Community Recreation Center
Saturday, June 15, 11 AM to 3 PM at Gaithersburg Library
Tuesday, June 18, 3 PM to 7 PM at Silver Spring Civic Center
Thursday, June 20, 4 PM to 8 PM at Germantown Community Recreation Center
Friday, June 21, 3 PM to 7 PM at East County Community Center
Saturday, June 22, 11AM to 3 PM at Executive Office Building
Learn more
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The Cybersecurity in Agricultural Forum, hosted by the Rural Maryland Council, is scheduled for July 17th at Cecil College
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Marylanders Online Helpline | |
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Any person residing in Maryland can connect with Marylanders Online, a free, statewide digital literacy project through the University of Maryland Extension (UME) in partnership with the College of Information Studies that offers computer help, digital skills classes, resources, tech support, and more. Learn more at www.MarylandersOnline.umd.edu.
Connect with Marylanders Online today to access free resources and support for
- Computers, tablets, and cell phones
- Getting on the Internet or Wi-Fi
- Finding digital skills classes and training
- Self-guided digital skills learning
- Applying for government services
- Digital navigator resources
- Advancing digital inclusion in your community
The toll-free Marylanders Online Helpline can be reached at 1-866-206-8467 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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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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