Hello Integrating Technology colleagues,
There is increasing awareness in the U.S. about how the digital divide affects K-12 students, and post-secondary adult students. In the Integrating Technology group, most of us are also aware of how it affects adult basic skills learners. However, adults, and especially older adults, are not always included in public (e.g. WIOA or CARES Act) funding and corporate and charitable grant support for Broadband access and digital devices at home, and for the digital literacy skills needed to use digital devices and the Internet well. That's why I was pleasantly surprised to learn what the Canadian Bankers Association is doing to address the digital literacy specifically of adults 65 and older. This is an example of how corporate funds that can both help older members of the community who may be isolated, and possibly help banks to have more older adults using their online services.
Do you know if banks, or a bankers association, are doing something like this in the U.S.? If so, please let us know about that.
For more information about how the Canadian Bankers Association, along with the well-respected ABC Canada adult education and literacy organization, will offer these digital skills you can read "Strengthening the Digital Literacy of Canadians during COVID-19" and the "ABC Internet Matters" program details.
David J. Rosen, Moderator
LINCS CoP Integrating Technology group