Courtesy of Technology for Tomorrow. Maliki LaForce, Technology for Tomorrow program manager, teaches a recent TechSpark Wednesday class on understanding and effectively using AI for individuals and organizations. T4T, with programs like TechSpark Wednesdays, works to close the digital divide in Vermont.
AI and Digital Literacy Classes Support People Served by Vermont Nonprofits
Vermont Business Magazine Technology for Tomorrow (T4T) wrapped up its inaugural year of the Microsoft TechSpark partnership with the conclusion of its digital literacy series.
T4T, a nonprofit organization based in Williston, was the Vermont organization selected for the inaugural Microsoft TechSpark Fellow program to promote inclusive economic opportunity, job creation and innovation in the state.
“Digital equity is essential for our communities,” said Vijay Desai, CEO of T4T. “For T4T, bringing digital literacy to populations with few resources is a mandatory task. We want to close the digital divide in Vermont.”
Vermont, like many parts of the country and the world, experiences a profound digital divide. According to the National Institutes of Health, the pandemic has only reinforced the digital divide.
T4T developed “TechSpark Wednesdays”, a series of free digital literacy courses. The two 10-week groups focused on building foundational skills and advanced understanding of AI. The 90-minute hybrid classes were held weekly in the South Burlington Public Library Digital Lab. Participants were also able to join virtually, ensuring access through digital learning.
T4T, with programs like TechSpark Wednesdays, works to close the digital divide and create digital equity – a time and place where all Vermonters have access to the technology, skills and opportunities they need to fully participate in Digital world.
TechSpark Wednesday’s core series covered topics including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, as well as smartphones, safety and security, and more. Generative AI classes focused on understanding and effectively using AI for individuals and organizations, including basic background, emerging tools, as well as ethical issues to consider.
The Digital Equity Act identifies various populations in need of resources and services to overcome the digital divide. These priority populations are people with language barriers; ethnic minority groups; old people; people living in rural areas; households with incomes at or below 150 percent of the poverty threshold; veterans; incarcerated people; and people with disabilities.
T4T collaborated with nonprofit partners to identify participants in these priority populations or work closely with them to participate in TechSpark Wednesdays. Nearly 50 adult learners participated over the 10 weeks from more than 15 nonprofit organizations, including the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, Afghan Alliance of Vermont, Cathedral Square, HireAbility, CVOEO, CVCOA, and AARP, among others.
T4T kicked off the program in December by hosting a statewide roundtable with special guests from Microsoft TechSpark, Christine Hallquist of the Vermont Community Broadband Board, State Senator Kesha Ram Hinsdale, and nonprofit leaders.
The South Burlington Public Library partnered with T4T to provide its Digital Lab for the pilot program, making classes accessible to nonprofit agencies in the community.
T4T (tech4tomorrow.org) empowers people in need with technological education, building digital literacy among everyone in the community. The organization was founded in 2012.
Source: 5/13/2024. SOUTH BURLINGTON — Technology for Tomorrow (T4T)
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