The Vermont Council on Rural Development’s e-Vermont Community Broadband Project provides digital literacy training and tools to 24 communities across the state. Through its “e-Partners” and Community Directors, the organization provides a broad range of digital literacy classes such as computer basics, website development, Internet fundamentals, and Internet safety tips.
For example, one partner, the Small Business Development Center, is offering workshops for local community members and small rural businesses with an introduction to how online resources can help improve their businesses. Another partner, the Vermont State Colleges, conducts computer skills workshops and provides webinars on key topics such as Internet Safety for Parents and “train the trainer” programs for community members who want to learn to teach basic Internet skills.
In addition, the organization’s partner, Digital Wish, helps schools implement computer learning initiatives by leading digital literacy courses, offering sample curricula, recommending acceptable usage policies, providing basic technical support, and deploying laptops in fourth through sixth-grade classes. This project is made possible with funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act through the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration.
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