Toward a Digital Inclusion Academy
The ideas of “Reuse & Remix” are at the heart of the net, and of library culture. As new ideas become tested solutions, we have a need to make sure that they are easily replicable and scalable, and that the knowledge to do so, or at least to gain exposure, is accessible.
What does that mean for us working on expanding digital access, relevance, literacy and equity? It means we need an open digital inclusion academy.
Digital Inclusion is a newer term, and covers quite a bit.
“Digital Inclusion refers to the activities necessary to ensure that all individuals and communities, including the most disadvantaged, have access to and use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). This includes 5 elements: 1) affordable, robust broadband internet service; 2) internet-enabled devices that meet the needs of the user; 3) access to digital literacy training; 4) quality technical support; and 5) applications and online content designed to enable and encourage self-sufficiency, participation and collaboration. Digital Inclusion must evolve as technology advances. Digital Inclusion requires intentional strategies and investments to reduce and eliminate historical, institutional and structural barriers to access and use technology.” (Source: digitalinclusion.org/definitions)
That is a philosophy we can all sign on to (and sign on you should!) but how do we operationalize this from the library? If you’re a library director who is looking to expand services, a system CTO that wants to understand more about digital inclusion trends, a new librarian who wants to shake things up, or a team, across stations and levels, who want to change the access picture in your community, where can you start? There are books and articles, and once in a while a course that will offer a few ideas in exchange for a few hundred dollars. However, especially when we think about the free-culture values of both the library and the internet, where can we go for authoritative information? How can we share our understanding of this information with peers, colleagues, managers and funders?
The material is out there, but needs to be aggregated. Micro-credentials (whether a certificate or a badge) need consistency and authority to matter. Over the next few months, I’ll be pulling together a variety of new and existing content to create badges for those who want to explore digital inclusion programming, technology and solutions.
Topics may include:
- TV Whitespace
- Hotspot Lending
- Digital Literacy Material Sharing & Localization
- Digital Inclusion Project Planning
- Library Technology Evaluation
Almost all of these will be in partnership with other existing projects, thus providing a layer of consistency and authority to those who are hoping to learn more.
Do you have a topic that you’d like to see added to the list?
Do you have an OER, MOOC or other resource that you’d like to be considered for inclusion in the Digital Inclusion Academy?
For all others who are interested in adding tools to their library tech utility belts, stay tuned!