May 2024
Volume 2 | Issue 5
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Marylanders Online is seeking community support to raise awareness about our no-cost digital literacy offerings. By sharing information about Marylanders Online, you can help us work towards bridging the digital divide by fostering a more inclusive and equitable digital landscape for all Marylanders. Use the below flyers and content to share this message! | |
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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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Free Digital Navigator Training
Marylanders Online has partnered with the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) to offer a free, two-day training program that will equip prospective digital navigators with essential skills to promote digital equity in their communities.
Training Dates:
Tuesday, May 14, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Thursday, May 16, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
This training is open to anyone interested in digital navigation. Participants are encouraged to attend both training sessions.
Register here!
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A New Approach to Learner-Centric Resources
Collaborative efforts between UME Marylanders Online and the College of Information Studies (INFO) have produced a collection of innovative, learner-centric eGovernment resources. This project was founded on insights gleaned from a statewide needs assessment which revealed the real-life digital challenges faced by Maryland residents. The resulting resources may serve as a replicable model for other states aiming to advance digital equity. Learn more.
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Chromebook Appointments
Free in-person and virtual appointments are now available to Marylanders who need assistance updating their Chromebook operating system (OS). To schedule an appointment with a Marylanders Online Digital Navigator, visit https://go.umd.edu/appointment. Services in English and Spanish are available, with other languages upon request.
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Are Your Resources on the Map?
UME Marylanders Online invites all digital literacy practitioners to share the digital inclusion resources and programming available in your organization and community. Click here to see if your agency's information is recorded, or complete the resource form here: https://go.umd.edu/MD-Resources. Thank you for contributing to the advancement of digital equity in Maryland!
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Marylanders Online in Action | |
Partnerships that Bridge the Digital Divide | | |
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Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center
UME Marylanders Online has partnered with Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center to provide beginner and intermediate Microsoft Word, Internet, and email classes for immigrants in Montgomery County. These courses were created to support immigrants and non-native English speakers so they have the same opportunities and confidence as those who were raised in the United States.
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Teens As Teachers: 4-H & Baltimore County Department of Parks & Recreation
The five-week Teen as Teachers course is a collaboration with the UME and 4-H which combines youth development and leadership with digital literacy skills. This course will build on the experiences of 4-H youth while modeling how to teach while integrating digital skills.
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Baltimore City Community College & Refugee Youth Project
UME and Marylanders Online has partnered with mini-grant recipient Baltimore City Community College's Refugee Youth Project (RYP) to offer a series of classes for Afghan refugees that focus on basic digital skills, online safety, finding reliable information online, and engaging with government services in Baltimore.
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Maryland Today for a Brighter Tomorrow
The UME Marylanders Online program was recently featured in Maryland Today, shining a spotlight on this impactful digital literacy initiative. Hear first-hand accounts of how the program is helping residents increase their digital access and literacy. Read more.
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UME Marylanders Online team members Maria Barga (left) and Uhjin Sim (right) attended the 2024 National Digital Education Extension Team (NDEET) conference in April. The event provided an opportunity to learn from fellow Extension partners committed to community transformation through capacity-building and the advancement of digital access. | | |
UME Instructional Designer Uhjin Sim partnered with Regina Page of Enoch Pratt Free Library to deliver a successful presentation on appreciative inquiry (AI) approach at the 2024 virtual Maryland Library Association mini-conference, highlighting the Marylanders Online partnership and the Pratt Adventure & Beyond curriculum. | | |
Presentations by INFO Curriculum Team | |
Alison Harding and Jane Behre, INFO PhD candidates with the UME Marylanders Online team, presented their paper Meeting People Where They Are: Customizing Digital Literacy Education, co-authored with Dr. Mega Subramaniam, at the iConference 2024. The presentation was well received and generated great discussion of the implications of the work outside of the borders of Maryland.
Jane Behre will also be presenting a poster on behalf of the Marylanders Online INFO research at the Human-Computer Interaction Lab (HCIL) Symposium on May 23 at Brendan Iribe Center for Computer Science and Engineering.
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Gabriel Fumero
Tech Extension Educator
Among the newest members of the Marylanders Online team: UME Tech Educator Gabriel Fumero. Gabriel serves College Park and the neighboring communities and is a skilled bilingual educator with extensive experience working with diverse populations across North and South America. Gabriel holds an MA in Education from California State University with a specialization in New Media Design and Production, Computer Education, and Technology Leadership, as well as a Bachelor's of Education and Instructional Technology from Instituto Universitario Pedagógico de Caracas in Venezuela. Gabriel integrates technology into learning processes using his instructional and curriculum design background, applying a pedagogical approach. He looks forward to contributing his knowledge and experience to the UME Marylanders Online project.
Learn more about the UME Marylanders Online team here.
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Join the UME Team!
Do you have a passion for digital literacy and inclusion? Do you enjoy working with the community, sharing knowledge, and offering resources? We are seeking to hire Tech Educators in the following regions:
- Cecil, Kent, Queen Anne's, and Caroline
- Prince George's and Anne Arundel
- Carroll and Frederick
Learn more and apply here.
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The Full Picture: Human Infrastructure of Broadband | |
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Digital navigators come in many forms. The Benton Institute for Broadband & Society is researching to better understand how digital navigator programs are being conducted around the country. Whether it's assisting people with their devices or enrolling in ACP, helping patients learn to use telehealth portals, or working on affordable housing or financial literacy - if your organization provides these or similar services, please complete and share this brief survey to help capture the human capital that goes into bringing digital equity to communities around the country. Complete the survey.
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HCIL Symposium 2024
The annual Human-Computer Interaction Lab (HCIL) symposium will be held on May 23rd, bringing together top HCI thinkers and influencers from academia and industry. This year's event celebrates 41 years of groundbreaking HCI research by featuring presentations and panels highlighting ongoing research. HCIL members will share their work on human-centered AI and NLP, data visualitation, accessibility, health & well-being, usable privacy & security, education technology, and more. Register here.
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UMD Launches Institute Focused on Ethical AI Development
By UMD Staff | April 29, 2024 | College of Information Studies
By Julia Edinge | April 18, 2024 | Government Technology
By Chris Teale | April 19, 2024 | Route Fifty
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Events & Device Distributions | |
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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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Thursday, May 16th, 1 - 4 PM
Busch Annapolis Library
Wednesday, May 22nd, 1 - 4 PM
Odenton Library
Thursday, May 23rd, 1 - 4 PM
Brooklyn Park Library
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.
May 6, 31 and June 3-7
Central Library
May 20, 22, 23,24, 28, 29, 30, 31
Reisterstown Road Library
May 21-31
Orleans Street Library
Learn more
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Caroline & Queen Anne's County | |
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Monday, May 13th, 10 AM - 2 PM
Kent Island Library
Monday, May 13th, 3 - 7:30 PM
Centreville Library
Tuesday, May 14th, 5 - 7PM
DC Center, Denton
Thursday, May 16th, 3 - 6 PM
Civic League, Federalsburg
Saturday, May 18th, 11 AM - 1 PM
Aaron's Place
Learn more
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Wednesday, May 15, 2-7 PM
New Twin Beaches Branch
Saturday, June 1, 10 AM - 4 PM
Mount Hope Community Center
Learn more
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Wednesday, May 15th, 4 - 6:30 PM
Brunswick Branch Library
Saturday, May 18th, 9 AM - 11:30 AM
Bernard W. Brown Community Center
Wednesday, May 22nd, 3 - 6:30 PM
Fort Ritchie Community Center
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.
Tuesday, May 7, 3 to 7 PM at Silver Spring Civic Center
Wednesday, May 8, 3 to 7 PM at Germantown Library
Friday, May 10, 3 to 7 PM at Aspen Hill Library
Tuesday, May 14, 3 to 7 PM at Silver Spring Civic Center
Wednesday, May 15, 3 to 7 PM at East County Community Center
Friday, May 17, 3 to 7 PM at Gaithersburg Library
Learn more
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Monday, May 6th in Boonsboro, 3:30 - 6:30 PM
Tuesday, May 7th in Hagerstown, 1:30 - 4:30 PM
Saturday, May 11th Hagerstown, 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Tuesday, May 14th in Smithsburg, 3:30 - 6:30 PM
Wednesday, May 15th in Hagerstown, 4:30 - 7:30 PM
Saturday, May 18th in Clear Spring, 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Monday, May 20th in Hagerstown, 1:30 - 4:30 PM
Wednesday, May 22nd in Smithsburg, 2:30 - 6:30 PM
Wednesday, May 22nd at Fort Ritchie Community Center, 3:00 - 7:00 PM
Thursday, May 30th in Hagerstown, 4:30 - 7:30 PM
Learn more
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Marylanders Online Helpline | |
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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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