The goal of the Digital Inclusion Learning Circle is to provide a space for digital skills trainers to share their knowledge and expertise, get tips to improve their programs and services and brainstorm new ideas. The February Digital Inclusion Learning Circle featured presentations from Pam Rooks, Refugee Digital Access Specialist with Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, and Megan McNaughton, Tech Access Partnerships Coordinator with Kansas City Public Library

Demonstrating her presentation’s interactive features, Pam Rooks exhibited a series of slideshow presentations she’s developed to “gamify” digital skills learning for adult-learners who are also refugees. Her slideshows cover topics such as avoiding pop-ups and using computer mice correctly. 

Rooks came to the learning circle needing suggestions to increase the entertainment value of her slide decks. Rooks was met with a variety of ideas and supportive gestures. You can learn more or get involved with Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas by visiting their website for more information. 

Megan McNaughton has seen an uptick in demand for her digital skills classes, which range in topics from Zoom: Beyond The Basics to Online Security: Cyber Threats. McNaughton works mostly with older adults, teaching computer classes to increase the quality of life for individuals otherwise left behind in the digital age. She received affirming feedback from her colleagues and was prepared to share her materials freely with those in need or are curious about the course curriculum. Library card-holders with the Kansas City Public Library can access the entirety of McNaughton’s curriculum for digital literacy. 

Join the Digital Inclusion Learning Circle group on LinkedIn and connect with other practitioners at the monthly meetings at the LAMP campus (Zoom option available). If you have a digital skills training program and would like to bounce ideas off your peers, please email Leah Henriksen for more information.

Further Reading

Reflection: Digital Inclusion Week 2024 in Kansas City

Digital Inclusion Week (DIW) is an annual week of awareness, recognition and celebration. We’re living in a pivotal time for digital inclusion action, and this week was a small reflection on the work occurring in the digital inclusion ecosystem in KC and beyond. Here is a recap of some of the DIW events that occurred locally.

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KC Metro Orgs Offer Digital Inclusion Support for Older Adults

As the Kansas City metro’s population continues to age, ensuring access to technology and the internet for seniors has never been more urgent. A number of organizations across Kansas City have been working to integrate digital inclusion into their senior programming to help ensure this segment of our population is able to get and stay connected. 

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Digital Inclusion Fund Awards $75,000 for Devices in the Greater Kansas City Area

The Kansas City Digital Inclusion Fund announces the 2024 Devices Grants cycle list of grant awardees. The KC Digital Inclusion Fund supports 501(c)(3) entities that focus on digital inclusion access, affordability and adoption to increase participation in digital society for Kansas City’s most underserved and/or disconnected residents. Initial funding support is from the Health Forward Foundation, Kauffman Foundation, Kansas Health Foundation and GFiber (Google Fiber).

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