By Hope Manocchio

Adult Basic Education

This year a generous United Way grant has provided funds to make computer literacy programming available to the general public. This programming will provide instruction in a variety of online tasks, from filling out job applications and writing resumes to navigating Microsoft Office and the Internet.

I have been hired to lead this initiative and will be providing instruction at the Workforce Center at Riverland Community College every Monday from 2 to 4 p.m. and in the computer lab of the Austin Public Library every Thursday from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.

A new certificate program is also available. Northstar Digital Literacy is a self-guided computer seminar course that provides learners to take one of eight online skill assessments and access resources to help them improve their skills. When they are ready, learners take a short, proctored exam which, when passed, will award them with a job skills certificate that they can show to potential employers to demonstrate their proficiency in each area. The Northstar Digital Literacy Assessment was developed in conjunction with the St. Paul Public Library and offers certificates in one or all of the following: basic computer, World Wide Web, Windows and Mac OS X, Microsoft Word and Excel, email, and social media. This course is offered at the Community Learning Center on the first and third Wednesdays of each month, from 2 to 5 p.m.

As technology grows exponentially it is increasingly important for everyone to be able to use it effectively. Print media is being eclipsed by its digital counterpart, and digital literacy is now an essential life skill that can be daunting to acquire. The aim of both the United Way grant and the Northstar Digital Literacy course is to provide help and instruction to the community in these areas.

Participation in all of these courses is through referral from the Workforce Center. Community members interested in more information should contact me at hope.manocchio@austin.k12.mn.us or call 507-460-1707.