Educational/Training Programs

Digital Ready Businesses (DRB)

The curriculum consists of 12-lessons, leading to a certificate, that helps employees, entrepreneurs, and small business owners understand the basic components of an online presence. This program can be used to meet a goal, objective, task or action item of the Intelligent Community Action Plan or Comprehensive Digital Inclusion Plan.

Audience: individuals
Deliverable(s): up to 12-lessons and a certification (if selected)
Duration: between 35-45 hours (certification included); self-paced
Format: face-to-face or virtual

Digital Ready Community (DRC)

Build capacity and empower communities by identifying and mobilizing digital assets to increase communication, responsiveness, trust and civic engagement. This program can be used to meet a goal, objective, task or action item of the Intelligent Community Action Plan or Comprehensive Digital Inclusion Plan.

Audience: communities/regions
Deliverable(s): formation of DAG or digital asset group; digital engagement plan
Duration: 7-9 months
Format: face-to-face and virtual

Digital Inclusion and Community Development 101

A multiple workshop training for elected officials, economic developers, community leaders, and the general public regarding digital inclusion and its role in community development, economic development and quality of life. The objective is to educate local and regional residents and leaders. This program can be used to meet a goal, objective, task or action item of the Intelligent Community Action Plan or Comprehensive Digital Inclusion Plan.

Audience: individuals
Deliverable(s): digital inclusion and community development training
Duration: 5 hours; self-paced
Format: virtual

Essential Digital Employability Skills (EDES)

A curriculum that leads to certification to help individuals improve digital skills ranging from collaborating to communicating effectively to managing projects virtually. This program can be used to meet a goal, objective, task or action item of the Intelligent Community Action Plan or Comprehensive Digital Inclusion Plan.

Audience: individuals
Deliverable(s): EDES certification
Duration: up to 21 hours; self-paced
Format: virtual

iFront Door

A program, in partnership with the Purdue University Brian Lamb School of Communication, for communities/regions or organizations interested in assessing and proactively managing their online reputations. This program can be used to meet a goal, objective, task or action item of the Intelligent Community Action Plan or Comprehensive Digital Inclusion Plan.

Audience: communities/regions or organizations
Deliverable(s): assessment report; online communication plan
Duration: 4 months (only available starting in August or January)
Format: face to face and virtual

Regional Digital Inclusion Ambassadors (RDIA)

Training for individuals on digital inclusion fundamentals, community and economic development, navigating differences, facilitative leadership, and data analysis and interpretation. The RDIAs can then help coordinate/implement plans, recruit/manage volunteers, facilitate broadband action team meetings, increase digital inclusion awareness, teach digital literacy workshops, and support broader community and economic development strategies, among other things, across multiple counties. This program can be used to meet a goal, objective, task or action item of the Intelligent Community Action Plan or Comprehensive Digital Inclusion Plan.

Audience: individuals
Deliverable(s): digital inclusion and community development training
Duration: 20 hours
Format: face to face and virtual

Tech Academy

Provides a six-month curriculum or package that local champions and volunteers can use to help extension educators and/or engagement specialists teach the general public to improve their digital literacy/skills. This program can be used to meet a goal, objective, task or action item of the Intelligent Community Action Plan or Comprehensive Digital Inclusion Plan.

Audience: individuals
Deliverable(s): six technology-related monthly workshops (e.g. internet basics, social media, cloud applications, etc.)
Duration: 6 months (or shorter if workshops are offered weekly)
Format: face-to-face and virtual