Calls for Greater National Investment in Digital Literacy Grow

The Knight Commission’s call to promote digital literacy has gotten a boost from several big players recently. The National Cable and Telecommunications Association (NCTA) and One Economy Corporation have stepped forward with public calls for greater national investment in digital media education, adding to a growing number of experts who see digital literacy as a key ingredient for successful individuals, families, communities and economy.

Last Thursday, NCTA President Kyle McSlarrow called on the federal government to dedicate significant broadband stimulus funding to create and maintain a national digital media literacy program. Speaking to the annual conference of the Family Online Safety Institute on November 5, McSlarrow said that digital media literacy should be a focus of broadband stimulus funding and called for $500 million in stimulus funds to go toward digital media education efforts.

One Economy Corporation, whose chief executive officer Rey Ramsey was a member of the Knight Commission, recently submitted its National Digital Literacy Initiative (NDLI) to the Federal Communications Commission for consideration in crafting the National Broadband Plan. One Economy has extensive experience providing digital literacy training to over 3,000 young people in low-income communities. The NDLI plan focuses on four areas for implementing and expanding digital literacy: delivering digital literacy efforts in communities, in schools, through online and mobile curricula, and through a national awareness campaign.

The NDLI provides a blueprint for achieving some of the digital literacy objectives in the Knight Commission Report (see recommendations 6, 7, 8 and 12 as they relate to digital literacy). Among the key features of the NDLI plan is the development of a cadre of “digital connectors”—young people who receive training and then, in turn, deliver training to the communities in which they live. These digital connectors then serve as technology ambassadors and front-line technical support for their communities.

The NDLI also addresses policy recommendations to a variety of government departments and agencies that have a role to play in expanding digital literacy, including the Universal Service Fund, the Corporation for National and Community Service, and the U.S. Departments of Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services, Education and Labor.

Read NCTA President Kyle McSlarrow’s complete remarks here.

Read One Economy’s full proposal here.

The Knight Commission would like to learn of other efforts to support investments in and expand digital literacy skills in communities across America. What initiatives are happening in your school, community, organization or state to promote digital literacy? Who are the “digital connectors” in your community?