Sydney McDuffie (standing), a Community Digital Literacy Specialist with the Office of Community Health at ECU Health, teaches topics designed to help people safely and securely navigate the internet on their devices. (Sydney McDuffie|Courtesy photo)
KENANSVILLE — With the start of a new year, many of us resolve to “do better,” sometimes pledging to eat healthier, exercise regularly, or spend less. One area of self-improvement we might want to consider is improving our digital skills — and East Carolina University is making it easy and affordable (free!) for people in eastern North Carolina to do just that.
As part of a research study, two professors in the University’s College of Health and Human Performance received grant money that was used to provide iPads and hotspots for community members to check out from their local libraries. “Along with the lending of devices, we are hosting digital literacy sessions at the libraries and other community centers to help increase people’s access to technology and their ability to use technology independently,” states Sydney McDuffie, a Community Digital Literacy Specialist with the Office of Community Health at ECU Health.
Four two-hour classes, or modules, will be offered in January at the Duplin County Cooperative Extension Agency at 165-C Agriculture Drive; those same four modules will be repeated in February at Duplin County Senior Services at 156 Duplin Commons Drive. “The modules are designed to be basic introductions to different topics that will help people navigate using the internet and their devices,” according to McDuffie, who teaches and helps schedule the classes at various counties in the eastern part of the state.
In January, at the Extension Agency, sessions will meet from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., and the modules are as follows: January 8, “Basic Computer Skills,” which will provide an introduction to computers and Microsoft Word, and will teach participants how to set up an email account; January 15, “Online Safety and Privacy,” covering how to recognize and avoid scams, how to keep personal information/social media private, and how to create strong passwords; January 22, “How to Search and Find Trusted Information Online,” providing different ways to find trusted and reliable information online, including the use of fact-checkers; and January 29, “Using Healthcare Online,” providing an introduction to telehealth and an overview of patient portals, and assisting participants with creating a MyChart account if that is something their healthcare provider offers.
These same classes will be repeated at Senior Services, February 4, 11, 18, and 24, from 10 a.m. – noon.
All classes are free, and people can choose to attend any or all sessions. Participants are encouraged to bring whatever devices they use regularly — cell phones, laptops or tablets — but for those who don’t have a device, a few iPads will be available to borrow.
Light refreshments will be provided, and each participant who attends a class and completes a pre-test and post-test will be entered in a drawing for a free iPad.
No pre-registration is required to attend any of the January sessions, but anyone needing additional information should call 252-320-9650.
Anyone wishing to attend any of the February sessions must register in advance by calling Jennifer Moore at 910-296-2140.
