Digital Literacy Returns to Oak Haven: Building Confidence One Click at a Time

Technology is part of nearly everything we do today—from staying connected with family to managing appointments, accessing information, and protecting ourselves from scams. But when technology changes quickly, even a simple problem with a phone or computer can become frustrating.

That’s where a little one-on-one help can make a big difference.

This September, the Livingston County Literacy Coalition (LCLC) restarted its Digital Literacy program at Oak Haven, bringing trained and developing volunteer tutors together with residents who wanted help navigating everyday technology.

Real Questions. Practical Help.

Three residents participated in the first session back, and the smaller group created plenty of opportunity for individualized assistance. Several LCLC volunteers also joined the session, allowing participants to get one-on-one support while newer digital literacy tutors gained experience and ideas for future sessions.    

And the questions were exactly the kinds of everyday technology challenges Digital Literacy is designed to address.

Participants brought questions about things like phone settings, frozen screens and unwanted or spam text messages. Instead of a one-size-fits-all computer class, volunteers were able to sit alongside participants, look at the technology they actually use, and help them work through their questions.

That personalized approach is at the heart of LCLC.

Digital Literacy Is Literacy

Literacy today means more than reading words on a page.

Being able to confidently use technology can help adults communicate with family and friends, access important information and services, recognize potential online scams, use email, participate in video calls, and remain connected to their communities.

For older adults especially, having someone available to answer questions in a patient, judgment-free environment can turn technology from a source of frustration into a useful tool.

And sometimes success is as simple as finally figuring out why your phone keeps doing that thing.

Growing the Program

The September session also helped LCLC learn how to make future Digital Literacy opportunities even better.

Based on feedback from Oak Haven, future sessions are expected to move back to an afternoon time. The group is looking at returning November 2 at 2:30 p.m. for a session focused on video calls. Volunteers are also exploring opportunities to bring Digital Literacy programming into other community settings, including local churches.

The restart also showed the potential for growing LCLC's volunteer Digital Literacy team. Having several tutors participate gave volunteers an opportunity to see firsthand how approachable these sessions can be and how valuable their own technology knowledge can be to someone else.   

You Don’t Have to Be a Tech Expert to Help

One of the best things about Digital Literacy volunteering is that you don't have to know everything about technology.

If you can patiently help someone navigate a smartphone, send an email, join a video call, adjust a setting, or think through a technology problem, you may already have skills that could help someone else.

LCLC is excited to continue rebuilding and expanding Digital Literacy opportunities throughout Livingston County—one question, one learner and one click at a time.

Interested in volunteering or bringing a Digital Literacy session to your community? Contact the Livingston County Literacy Coalition to learn more.