Why Every Citizen Online Training is Important to Many Ohioans

A recent visit to an Every Citizen Online (ECO) training class at Pioneer Career and Technical Center in Shelby revealed various reasons some Ohioans haven’t adopted Internet usage into their daily lives and why many are doing so now.

“I don’t have a computer. Well, I have an old one from 1987,” said Dean Morse. “I thought the training might help me if I want to go to the library and use their computers to look up something.”

Morse shared that he would like to learn to use eBay. He has an old train set and other antique items he would like to sell.

Jerry Grove is currently unemployed and knows he needs computer and Internet skills to apply for jobs online.

“I raised children and I worked,” said Grove. “I bought computers for my 5 kids and my grandchildren, but I never bought one for myself.”

Barb Queen shared a similar story.

“My employer went out of business in December,” Queen said. “My family bought me a laptop for my birthday and I thought it’d be a good time to learn. I look forward to the things Internet makes available.”

The course instructor, Donnie Perry, began the 6-hour training by asking what each of the 11 class participants wanted to be able to do by using the Internet that they currently could not. Perry wants to ensure each participant graduates the program with the tools and knowledge that will help them meet those expectations.

“Our nieces and nephews told us what (computer equipment) to go buy,” shared Anita Hollinger. “We have the equipment, but we don’t know how to use the stuff.”

Hollinger wants to Web chat with her cousin overseas. Her husband, John, would like to look at woodworking websites for tips and ideas to fuel his hobby.

Some are just looking for the simplicity that can come from Internet use.

“Online bill pay would be very convenient for me,” Queen said. “I wouldn’t have to drive 15 minutes to pay my bills like I do now.”

To view more photos from this class, click here.

Quite an Annual Savings with Broadband

Not only is high-speed Internet access about knowledge and convenience, but a recent study shows it’s also about saving money. Ohioans could save more than $7,200 per year by having broadband access in their home, according to the study “Real Cost of the Digital Divide” by Nicholas J. Delgado. What? $7,200?!

Take a look at this annual breakdown:

	Avg Spent	Avg Saved	% Saved
Entertainment	$5,312	$2,747	51.70%
Travel	$7,658	$1,532	20%
Housing	$12,697	$974	7.70%
Food	$3,753	$965	25.70%
Apparel	$1,725	$640	37.10%
Automotive	$29,217	$438	1.50%
Newspapers	$193	$193	100%
Gasoline	$1,986	$95	4.70%
Non-prescription Drugs	$312	$76	24.20%
Bill Pay	$47	$47	100%

(data from Internet Innovation Alliance)

Of course, most of us are not buying a home or a car on an annual basis, so the annual statistics are a bit skewed. However, nearly one-third of Ohioans do not have broadband access in their homes. Of those without broadband service, the top reasons given are because they do not need it or just don’t know why they don’t subscribe. Saving money makes a pretty strong case for broadband adoption.

For more information on the study and savings breakdown, visit Internet Innovation Alliance.

Library reopens with new computer lab and ECO training

The Northside Branch of the Chillicothe-Ross Public Library closed its doors in August of 2009 due to statewide budget cuts. The library’s beautiful building meant a great deal to the community, which rallied support and passed an operating levy in spring 2010. The branch was reopened in January, 17 months after its closure, with a special addition – a computer lab.

The library had few computers for public access and no computer lab was available for large groups or instructional sessions. When Chillicothe-Ross Public Library Director Jennifer McKell was approached by Connect Ohio to partner for the Every Citizen Online (ECO) program, she jumped at the opportunity.

“We would not have the computer lab without the Every Citizen Online program,” said McKell. “It was great timing. We had just passed the levy and were preparing to reopen the branch.”

Through the ECO program, the library was able to purchase 7 laptop computers and 3 iPads. They plan for the laptops to be used for public access, as well as ECO computer introduction courses.

“The response has been phenomenal for the ECO courses,” said McKell.

All of the library’s scheduled ECO training classes are full. They offer several classes per week and can have up to 7 registrants per class. McKell attributes the program interest to the current state of the economy.

“Many people are out of work and want to learn computer skills for job placement,” McKell said. “Also, people want to keep in touch with family and grandkids.”

Teresa Myers, the library’s branch manager, says the age range and the computer skill level for those taking the courses have been diverse. Participants range from 30-years-old to seniors. Some already have e-mail accounts and use them weekly, while others do not know how to operate a mouse or use a search engine.

Russell Mason completed the 6-hour ECO training in January. He volunteers his time in ministry at the local prison and would like to learn to use Facebook to keep in touch with those he’s built a relationship with there.

“I get lost on the thing,” Mason explains when talking about using the Internet. “I want to be able to operate the computer, learn the basics.”

Jim and Jan Keeton also completed ECO training at the Northside Branch. Jim wanted to learn e-mail to communicate with his kids who live out of town. Jan volunteers at a local center for aging.

“I compile newsletters for the organization and use the computer often,” Jan said. “But I’d like to enhance those skills and learn to make the newsletters look more professional.”

Not only has the Ross County community embraced the re-opened library, but they’ve welcomed the ECO program with an overwhelming interest in completing the training.

To see additional photos from the Chillicothe-Ross County Library ECO training class, click here.

Connect Ohio staff collects and validates state broadband data

Validating the data collected from broadband providers is a key accuracy component to the broadband mapping work of Connect Ohio and its parent company, Connected Nation. Connect Ohio staff collect broadband inventory data directly from providers statewide and use various technological methods to validate the information, done in accordance with requirements and clarifications of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).

Connected Nation Director of Engineering and Technical Services Chip Spann recently visited the Connect Ohio offices in Columbus to conduct data validation training with staff and the office’s first Data Validation Intern, Tyler Smith. Tyler is a senior at Ohio University and began his data validation role at Connect Ohio in January 2011.

Tyler and Connect Ohio staff utilize multiple techniques to gather data for the many platforms of broadband, including wireless, DSL, fiber, and cable. Laptops, smartphones, GPS coordinates, spectro analyzers, and Connect Ohio’s interactive BroadbandStat tool are all used to report broadband availability and broadband speed at hundreds of locations throughout the state. Connect Ohio checks and compiles broadband providers’ reported information.

The NTIA is using the collected information to assemble national broadband data and a national broadband availability map. The first national broadband map is being made available to the public in February 2011. Connected Nation supplied much of the data that made this national map possible.

To view more photos from Connect Ohio's data validation procedures, visit our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=42804&id=107218675979541&saved

Columbus Metropolitan Library receives overwhelming initial response to ECO training

Dale Durley has never sat in front of a computer before.

“This class is the first time,” said Durley.

Durley is referring to the Every Citizen Online (ECO) basic computer training class held at the Columbus Metropolitan Library’s main branch.

“I have a computer at home and my wife’s on it all the time. She’s tired of me not knowing,” he says with a grin.

Another reason he is taking the class is to learn how to e-mail and communicate with his grown children online.

Georgia Jones is taking the free class for another reason. She works in the medical field and feels she needs to keep up-to-date with technology.

“Everything is run by a computer now,” said Jones. “I’ve been wanting to do this forever. I saw the information in the Dispatch and said ‘I’m going.’”

According to Elena Lamotte, the class instructor, participants have various reasons for their interest in the ECO courses. For some, family members don’t seem to have the patience for teaching them the basics. Others are out of work and want to improve professional skills.

The ECO program wasn’t a new idea for the Columbus Metropolitan Library. Its main branch began offering computer introductory classes in 2007 and usually had 6 to 8 participants per class. However, since the launch of the ECO program, it has seen an overwhelming response of Ohio adults eager to learn computer and Internet basics.

“We have had several full classes (capacity of 20 students) and we have been drawing from a much more dispersed geographic area, with students coming from Hocking, Licking. and Champaign counties,” said Steve Hipes, ECO project manager for the library.

Columbus Metropolitan Library is also offering the ECO training at six of its branch locations: Gahanna, Hilltop, Karl, Linden, Northern Lights, and Reynoldsburg. Each of Columbus Metropolitan Library’s locations is receiving a positive response. In fact, with the help of an article in the Columbus Dispatch at the beginning of the year, the library has received more than 600 phone calls inquiring about the ECO program.

“That huge number tells us in a quantitative way that there is a great need for basic computer training in our community,” said Hipes. “Our goal is to be responsive to the need so at some point in the future, we'll look at our program offerings and see if changes, additions, or revisions might be in order.”

To see more photos from this class, visit our Facebook page.

Ohio creamery finds success with broadband

Having affordable access to high-speed Internet can help small businesses succeed. The Snowville Creamery in Meigs County is one such business.

Before June 2008, the creamery had access to dial-up Internet only. Day-to-day business duties were much more difficult. An Athens-based Internet provider expanded into their area and the creamery hasn’t been the same since.

According to Victoria Taylor, an owner of the creamery, sales have doubled each year since they received high-speed Internet access.

“Our business is all distribution and logistics. We wouldn’t be around without it,” said Taylor. “I don’t know how we would survive. We just wouldn’t.”

The creamery first opened its doors with three employees. They now have twenty-five. Taylor says Snowville Creamery is projected to earn $3 million in gross milk sales this year.

“All of our orders are placed through the Internet,” said Taylor. “We’re now even marketing online.”

Snowville Creamery supplies the cream for Columbus-based Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams. They sell the most milk for Whole Foods stores located in Ohio. Snowville Creamery milk is also distributed through Cleveland-based Heinen stores, as well as used in various restaurants and coffee shops throughout the state.

Connect Ohio Distributes 8 New Computers to Putnam County District Public Library

Connect Ohio distributed 8 new HP Omni desktop computers to Putnam County District Library Director Kelly Ward Tuesday, January 18, 2011, as part of the Every Citizen Online program.

“These computers will be replacing old public computers throughout the county,” said Kelly Ward, library director. “This otherwise wouldn’t have been possible after budget cuts and a levy failure.”

Free computer training sessions will be provided at public libraries and community colleges throughout Ohio to introduce new users to a wide range of communication, education, and healthcare tools available online. Interested adults throughout Ohio are eligible to participate in the program, which is geared toward first-time computer and broadband users. The program is titled Every Citizen Online and will run for 2-years.

Putnam County District Public Libraries are providing the self-paced training online at their multiple branch locations.

The coursework includes three sessions covering computer basics, an introduction to the Internet, and discussions about how broadband can be helpful in daily life.

For more information, call 1-855-NOW-I-CAN (669-4226) or visit http://connectohio.org/consumer_training/.

Pictured above: Connect Ohio's Heather Delany (left) with Putnam Co. District Library director Kelly Ward (right)