The Pull Between Alternative Employment & Digital Literacy
By Francine St. Amand
You see, on the one hand, I want to stay firmly planted in earthly things – living a basic and low tech lifestyle. On the other hand, I know I am holding myself back due to my fear of flying into cyberspace.
With the economy being what it is, people can no longer afford to keep walking the plank with eyes wide open. In other words, although we know that we are in the information/ technology age too many of us pretend that this doesn’t matter- that we can somehow suspend ourselves from reality and things will just work out.
On February 5 & 6, I attended Catherine Chambers’ workshop on Alternative Employment. During this time, I was either in a “kid-in-a-candy-shop” state of excitement or feeling crushed by doom – with the realization that people, including myself, are too digitally illiterate to access information about opportunities that are out there.
For someone who has an interest in writing, until recently, I knew nothing about WordPress, Blogger, Lulu, Blurb, Open Office and Elance. Part of my work involves facilitating sessions and workshops, which I enjoy very much. Until meeting up with Catherine, I knew nothing about wordle, Prezi, Slideshare to name a few free online resources that would help make my presentations more effective and interesting.
I AM DIGITALLY ILLITERATE. I don’t know how to use technology to access or apply the array of resources that are relevant to my work or my personal interests. My technology learning experience seems so random and haphazard.
For the most part, computer classes, as we have known it, have been structured within the model of “just-in-case learning”. Learners get an exposure to stuff that is not necessarily relevant or applicable in their lives. Since PC’s have only been around for a couple of decades, we had to start somewhere to introduce technology to the masses.
In recent years, at least here in NB, government has made a positive move to replace the status quo, Introduction to Computer classes to Digital Literacy. Good move. In these classes, learners are exposed to a range of digital applications, not just the basic PC software programs. For those who may not be aware, we have a terrific instructor in our midst: Micheal Mann. He works for the Western Valley Adult Learning Association located (off-season), at the Tourist Information Centre in Andover. Micheal is a rare gem – he has expert knowledge in technology and is able to teach adults. People think young people are hard to teach – try a group of adult learners!! Especially ones that are convinced they are not able to learn anything about computers. He is a mobile instructor, putting on courses from Plaster Rock to Nackawic so he is very busy. If you want to get information about his 30 hr. classes, call 273-6177. And classes are FREE!!
While this move to introduce Digital Literacy to the population is a positive step forward from the ‘just-in-case learning’ model…….we have a ways to go to reach a model of ‘just-in-time learning’. Access to learning technology as it applies to education and economic opportunities needs to be part of infrastructure. For example, people who have a product or service to sell need to know the tools available through technology on how to market their product or service. People who want to develop or expand ideas for entrepreneurship need up-to-date technology coaching that is available in real-time for real impact.
Don’t get me wrong – people don’t need to know every single thing about technology to be digitally literate – they need to know how to use technology that is relevant to their needs. Some people know how to use some aspects of technology very well but use it counter-productively or to their own demise.
And that’s why I say I am digitally illiterate. I am not able to stay current with specific applications that can help me be more effective in my work as well as to develop my own interests. And I am in good company. So many of us are dragging behind like strung out cans hooked on to the back of a Just Married get-away car. Technology has become the bride to business and the groom doesn’t have the time or interest to entertain danglers. We are hanging on for dear life- hoping the happily married couple won’t forget about us.
The more I see the evidence of missed opportunities due lack of technology competence, the more I am convinced that every municipality should have a Technology Coach on their staff. If the outcome led to increased business activity, then the position would pay for itself. Our local economy hinges, to a large extent, on our collective digital literacy competencies. But we are not going to develop these competencies, at least not as quickly as we need it, without intervention that is locally available and affordable. Ensuring people have access to ‘just-in-time learning’ opportunities is a way we can help develop our community’s potential from the inside out.
As for my low-tech interests such as gardening, hosting campfires, writing and design work, I know that I would enjoy them even more, if I had the confidence and competence to take my interests to the next level of generating $$$– if I so choose.
I know that there are many people in this area who could successfully transform their low tech interests, products and services into revenue if they could tap into the high tech marketplace – they just need to know how.
