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

Welcome Wellness Center: Bridging Health and Digital Literacy in Belton

The following is a recap of a presentation by Jeannine Midgett, Executive Director at Welcome Wellness Center, given to the Kansas City Coalition for Digital Inclusion on February 21st, 2025.   Welcome Wellness Health Education and Resource Center began as a CERNER Population Health Initiative in 2011. Located in Belton, Missouri, the center occupies 4,500 […]

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American Connection Corps: Bridging the Digital Divide Through National Service

The following is a recap of a presentation by Iris O’Donnell Bellisario, Program Officer & Digital Equity Specialist and Cadie Bergan, Director of National Recruitment & Selection at the American Connection Corps given to the Kansas City Coalition for Digital Inclusion on January 17th, 2025. The American Connection Corps (ACC) is a national service program […]

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Integrating Arts Into KC’s Regional Innovation Ecosystem

In August 2024, Kansas City became a hub for innovation at the intersection of arts and science during a two-day workshop exploring how creative professionals can enhance critical materials and biologics ecosystems. This event is part of the NSF-funded ICC Project led by UCLA to develop actionable strategies for integrating arts and culture into regional innovation clusters.

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