Communication have led classes for active older adults in digital literacy. Zachary White, Ph.D., an associate professor in the Knight School of Communication, serves as an advisor to the program. "We wanted to understand the barriers seniors face in using technology and design curriculum to help them appreciate the relevance technology has for them," White said. "We worked with students on conducting focus group research to help them better understand the older population and their perceived competencies, as well as their beliefs about what it means to go online." Holly Van Kuren '19 MA '21 served as a lead
instructor in the program. "We found that with this population, there is this generational distrust with online information and using technology," she said. "Our program is based on providing this community with the skills to go online confidently and independently so that they can find trustworthy and reliable sources and empower themselves to take charge of their own health and of those that they care about." When Van Kuren began teaching active older adults,
the classes were in person. Ten the pandemic hit. "Tis population needed these skills now more than
ever," Van Kuren said. "So, we revised the material and basically created a whole new program to be successful as a completely virtual class." Even virtually, it was clear that the participants
were excited about the classes. Beyond learning to communicate virtually with their doctors, the participants enjoyed learning everything from online grocery shopping to communicating with their family members through Zoom. "Sometimes you forget that they're students because
they are so professional," said program participant Qinah High. "Other people around me have been very interested in what I'm doing, so I've been able to share a lot of that information and it has helped them." An unexpected highlight of the program is what
the participants receive upon completing the six- week course. "During our last class, we said, ‘Surprise! You all get to keep this laptop!’" Van Kuren explained. "And they were blown away! I was so excited to tell them that I actually was even tearing up myself. Some of them cried. Tey said this is a gift from God. Tey were so elated."
Left photo: Bruce Clark, (right) director of Te Center for Digital Equity at Queens, joined Governor Roy Cooper and other digital equity North Carolina leaders for a roundtable discussion as part of the Microsoft Airband Initiative, which seeks to provide affordable broadband coverage to underserved communities everywhere.
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