SUMMARY:

The Digital Literacy Task Force convened on July 6, 2021, and included representatives from multiple sectors interested in resolving the digital divide in the Los Angeles County region. Taskforce members engaged in a fruitful discussion associated with outreach, language barriers, quality programming, digital literacy skills, and age-appropriate materials.

Action Items

• Conduct asset mapping to identify the communities lacking devices, connectivity, or infrastructure

• Inventory outreach tools

• Develop a target audience description of outcomes for digital competency (literacy versus l fluency)

• Community engagement to gather information, including a survey

Resources

• California Department of Education elements of a Distance Learning Curriculum: www.cde.ca.gov/be/ag/ag/yr21/documents/may21item02a1.docx

Meeting Notes

The task force identified common barriers associated with digital literacy. The following are the highlights:

• Need to inventory existing outreach tools to determine what is publicly available

• Need for materials to be available in multiple languages

• Need a benchmark to measure the quality of digital programming

• Digital coaches workforce gap

• Develop a target audience with focused descriptions of outcomes for digital competency, digital literacy, digital fluency

The task force also identified gaps and provided recommendations related to programming and service:

• Limited programs available for seniors

• LAPL representatives provide phone support

• Coordinate community-engagement meetings throughout the summer to learn and track needs

The Digital Literacy Task Force meets virtually monthly and includes education, health, nonprofit, education, business, city municipalities, and internet service providers. To learn more, visit: ladeal.org/events.

The third task force meeting is scheduled for August 3, 2021.

Updated: Sep 2, 2021