Using Data to Develop Targeted Digital Inclusion Programs

Using Data to Develop
Targeted Digital Inclusion
Programs
ERIC FREDERICK, AICP, LEED AP
VICE PRESIDENT FOR COMMUNITY AFFAIRS: CONNECTED NATION
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: CONNECT MICHIGAN
1
COPYRIGHT 2016 CONNECTED NATION, INC. DO NOT DUPLICATE OR REPRODUCE WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION.

Connected
Field-validated technology planning program to
facilitate the expansion of broadband access,
adoption, and use in a community
Process overview:
1. Establish a local team/ task force
2. Assess the technology landscape
3. Develop a plan
4. Implement projects to expand broadband
access, adoption, and use
Empowering local,
collaborative, and
data-driven technology
planning to inform
intelligent, digital
development
2

We all want to fight the barriers to
broadband adoption and create
communities that are more digitally
inclusive.
COPYRIGHT 2016 CONNECTED NATION, INC. DO NOT DUPLICATE OR REPRODUCE WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION. 3

It’s understood that the barriers to
adoption include:
• Affordability
• Relevance/Awareness
• Digital Literacy
• Devices (outdated, lack of, non-functioning, etc.)

This is not new, but how can we be
smarter about how we address these
barriers in our communities?

The answer is found by digging deep
into our communities to more
thoroughly assess and identify those that
are facing these barriers, and to what
degree.

To dig deep, communities need to ask
their residents, businesses, and
institutions about their technology
adoption, use, habitats, etc.

Asking is complicated and requires the
involvement of a comprehensive and
actively engaged team that is
representative of every sector.

This model is
not easy,
but worth it.

Let’s take a look at an example.

75.1% 68.1% 76.0%
0%
50%
100%
Residential Broadband Adoption
The 2014 ACS tells us…
USA
SC
Spartanburg
If you don’t ask, this is as local as you could
get in defining the problem of adoption in
Spartanburg County, SC

So we ask. More than 2,600 survey responses from
households: adoption, use, barriers, digital literacy,
elec. interaction, etc.
1. Who are the non-adopters?
Can also look at veterans, educational attainment, etc.

We ask about barriers to
better understand what
we need to overcome as
a community. Looking at
digital literacy today.
Can do this for every group and demographic
2. Why are they non-adopters?

Examining digital literacy. We can
see which groups have greater
digital literacy than others, and
what applications have low digital
literacy in the community.
3. What is the issue?

Libraries offer tech. training
opportunities, but are there
gaps compared to the
digital literacy of the
community?
4. Where are our resources?
Library Locations and Training Opportunities Offered
Training Opportunities
SCPL-Boiling
Springs
SCPL-Chesnee
SCPL-Cowpens
SCPL-Cyrill
Westside
SCPL-
Headquarters
SCPL-Inman
SCPL-Landrum
SCPL-Middle
Tyger
SCPL-Pacolet
SCPL-Woodruff
Basic computer skills X X X X X X X X X X
Coding & program/app. development
Cyber-safety X X X X X X X
Device orientation X X X X X X X
Internet browsing and searching X X X X X X X X
Advanced online research X X X X
Mobile device applications X X
Multimedia X
Office productivity software X X X X X X X X
Social media X X X X
Technology for businesses X X X
Website development
Library Locations
Training Offered

5. How do we fix it?
Adoption is lowest among low-
income, young families,
seniors, unemployed, and
households with children
Digital Literacy
Digital Literacy is a barrier for
seniors, those earning $35k or
less annually, and adults with a
high school diploma or less.
The most oft-cited applications
with low digital literacy are
cybersecurity, multimedia,
social media, office
productivity, and mobile
applications.
Office productivity and cyber-
safety are offered at many
libraries, but social media,
mobile applications, and
multimedia training are limited
Solution 1: Develop more aggressive and targeted marketing
materials for and make available office productivity and cyber-
safety training.
Solution 2: Expand learning opportunities in the areas of
multimedia, social media, and mobile applications

6. Where do we start?
Library Locations in
Northern
Spartanburg
County

Residents
indicating a need
for improved
cybersecurity digital
literacy

Residents indicating a
need for improved
mobile application
digital literacy

Residents
indicating a need
for improved
multimedia
digital literacy

21
Thoughts and Questions?
ERIC FREDERICK, AICP, LEED AP
VICE PRESIDENT FOR COMMUNITY AFFAIRS: CONNECTED NATION
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: CONNECT MICHIGAN

Using Data to Develop Targeted Digital Inclusion Programs

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