OTAN News

Learning More About Digital Navigation Services

One of the important lessons learned during COVID-19 is a better sense of the extent of the "digital divide" across our state and the nation. As most everyone has been forced to connect digitally to people and services for everyday life over the last year and a half, it has become apparent what obstacles people face to do this successfully. These obstacles have to do with broadband access, device availability and compatibility, and digital skills.

One of the innovative solutions that has arisen to assist individuals with overcoming these obstacles is digital navigation services. Digital navigators are those who work with these individuals to acquire needed digital skills and locate low-cost internet access and devices to stay connected. Digital navigators could work at schools, but you can also find them in libraries, community-based organizations, and services and locations such as hospitals, businesses, and community centers.

A good resource to get oriented to digital navigation services is the article Digital Navigation Services by David Rosen in the current issue of the ALE Journal. In addition to understanding who digital navigators are and what some of their work is, the article also lists additional resources from Digital US, NDIA, and the EdTech Center at WorldEd where you can learn more about this new innovation.