New Scots Digital Connect: Empowering Communities through Digital Literacy 🌍✨
We are proud to be part of the “New Scots Digital Connect” project, a novel initiative aimed at enhancing digital and life skills for disadvantaged communities in Edinburgh. Our collaboration with Science Ceilidh (lead), Multi-Cultural Family Base, Lirio Academy, and The University of Edinburgh has allowed us to create a unique program that breaks down barriers and fosters community connections through learning and shared experiences. 🍽️🤝
Over the course of 10 weeks, we will host 10 workshops covering a range of essential topics:
- Digital Literacy Basics: Understanding computer components and online browsing.
- Essential Apps: Email management, online banking, and essential apps for daily life.
- Collaborative Knowledge: Introduction to Wikipedia and editing.
- Cyber Resilience: Ensuring safety in the digital world.
- Artificial Intelligence: Basics of generative AI and its applications.
A huge thank you to Dr Hisham I. M. Abdel-Magid for his dedicated partnership in developing and delivering the content.
Additionally, participants will enjoy cooking sessions (a great idea from Mr Saad Ibrahim at MCFB) that foster community connections while developing their life skills.
We are continually inspired by the determination of our participants to improve their lives through digital literacy. Many come from challenging backgrounds, yet they refuse to give up. Their resilience reminds us of the importance of community and the transformative power of education. 💪
Abd’s Personal Reflections:
Now, let me share my personal journey as part of this unique project. As someone who comes from a disadvantaged background, I understand first-hand the necessity of approaching teaching with sensitivity and an open mind. Throughout the program, I’ve gained valuable insights into the importance of listening to community needs and recognising the potential for learning in every interaction.
One significant realisation was acknowledging my assumptions about participants’ technical abilities and needs. Despite my efforts to provide accessible resources—such as translating our slides from English—one participant requested bilingual slides. This simple yet profound request underscored the importance of equipping everyone with the tools to become familiar with IT terminology.
Such experiences have reinforced my belief that initiatives like this one are crucial for researchers. They provide opportunities to engage with communities and help us develop impactful research ideas and invest in solutions that address pressing social challenges. There’s always something to learn from the community, and these insights can lead to high-impact research with far-reaching social benefits.
Engaging with participants has helped us identify gaps in our curriculum. But we are prepared! We designed our course to be flexible, allowing us to adapt to the evolving needs and questions of our participants. I feel fortunate to work alongside such a dedicated team and contribute to a project that aligns with my passion for supporting those left behind.
The Joy of Collaboration:
Our collective cooking sessions have not only been a delightful addition to the program but have also allowed weaving connections among participants, volunteers, and facilitators. Sharing meals brings everyone together, enhancing cross-cultural understanding while developing valuable life skills. 🍲❤️
A sincere thank you to the incredible individuals and volunteers from the participant organisations, as well as the course participants, for making this experience truly remarkable.
Looking Forward:
As we continue this journey, we at the IDEA Network are excited about the opportunities ahead. We aim to develop an engagement framework that will enable a network of researchers from various fields to contribute to addressing complex social issues like digital poverty.
We are actively collaborating with partners across the UK and beyond to submit a grant application that will allow us to expand our support for communities and tackle these challenges at their roots with science and passion for a better world. 🌟
If you want to learn how you can be part of this vision, I encourage you to read more about us and consider joining our efforts. Together, we can make a significant impact in supporting communities and fostering inclusive digital literacy. 🙌
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Stay tuned for more updates, and thank you for your support!
I'm interested in this research work.