Closing the Digital Gap
“Everything’s online now!” is something we hear all the time. However, not everyone has the tools or knowledge to go online easily. At EPL, we see this challenge, called the “digital divide,” every day.
Our job is to help people cross that divide by offering tools and training. I’ll never forget the day I met someone who didn’t know how to use a computer mouse. That moment showed me how important digital skills are.
Social services and government resources are moving online. But for newcomers to Canada, this can be a big problem. Many don’t speak much English and have little experience using computers.
As a Community Librarian, my job is to figure out what the community needs and find ways to help. In the Westmount area, where I work, digital literacy is a big need, especially for Eritrean refugees who have recently arrived.
A Class for Tigrinya Speakers
EPL offers Computer Skills classes to teach basic computer use. To meet the needs of the Eritrean community, we teamed up with the Edmonton Immigrant Services Association (EISA) to create a special class for Tigrinya speakers. Tigrinya is a language spoken in Eritrea and northern Ethiopia.
The class was taught by library staff with the help of a Tigrinya interpreter. This made it much easier for students to understand and learn.
Bringing the Team Together
- The Interpreter: Milka Fisshaye, a student from the Eritrean community and an EPL volunteer, helped explain technical terms in Tigrinya. She said the experience was rewarding and would help her as she studies to become a social worker.
- The Instructor: Library Assistant Joanna Krispin, an expert in teaching computer skills, adjusted her teaching to work with an interpreter and meet the student’s needs.
- The Connection: Haimi Yosef, a Settlement Worker partnering with EPL and a member of the Eritrean community, helped recruit students who were eager to learn.
What the Class Taught
The class ran for eight weeks, covering topics like:
- Using a mouse
- Basic computer navigation
- Setting up and using email
- Writing documents in Microsoft Word
By teaching in Tigrinya, the students could follow along more easily and feel confident in their learning.
Making a Difference
The students loved the class and were very thankful. Many said it was helpful to have lessons in their own language.
Tsega Beyene, one of the students, said, “It was easier to learn and understand what is going on for Tigrinya speakers.”
Looking Ahead
This program was a big success, and we hope to run the class again. It’s a great way to help more Tigrinya speakers build their computer skills and feel more confident in using technology.
At EPL, we are proud to work with our community to make technology easier for everyone to use
Add a comment to: Tigrinya Speakers Learn New Computer Skills