Editor's note: This the first in a series of articles about digital literacy in Seward County.
Sally Viets stopped cold when her computer screen froze as she reviewed her banking information online.
A message popped up indicating a problem and directing the 77-year-old retiree to click on the screen to avoid bigger issues.
Viets is no stranger to computers and it looked suspicious. She frequently uses the internet for genealogical research, emails and other contact with family and friends, and before her retirement she worked in Concordia University’s student accounts office.
Because this was a new situation – and because she was logged into her bank account – Viets reached out to Andrew Hanus, owner of Hanus Tech Solutions in Seward, sending him a screen shot of the message to confirm this was likely someone impersonating a familiar company to obtain sensitive information from a computer user, often called spear phishing.
Hanus, who had helped Viets and her husband, Ron, set up their home computer, confirmed she had avoided problems by not clicking on the link that popped up, and that she could turn off her computer to completely sign out of the account and start over.
For Viets, his confirmation made a difference. She knew to avoid clicking on the unfamiliar screen to protect her personal information, but still she appreciated that support.
“The things I work with, I pretty well know. It is just when something else pops up,” Viets said.
Today, doorbells have more technology with their programmable cameras, security features and ring tones than most households had in the home computers not that long ago.
As challenging as keeping up can be, there is no avoiding the need to connect online.
Lora Ives, assistant director for continuing education at Southeast Community College, said digital literacy today may be as important as the efforts to teach more people to read 100 years ago.
People used to think only those working in some industries needed digital skills, but in today’s world truck drivers utilize tablets to log their miles and reports, and people need to sign on to websites to obtain jobs, benefits, crop prices and other things.
Also, people who may not have thought they needed social connection via internet learned something different during the pandemic.
Seward County residents schedule appointments online, check in at airport or clinic kiosks, access phone calls, email, video, banking, and internet services with their cell phones, drive vehicles that monitor roads, tires and driver behavior, and use social media, chats, Facetime, Zoom meetings and online media to connect with the people and events around them.
But it isn’t always easy to get started.
Adult learners start from a wide array of skill levels, from having never used a computer to having some skills but needing to catch up on the new applications and features.
People who have not worked with computers much, as well as older and new Americans need to know they are not the only ones still learning and building their confidence to continue life-long learning skills.
SCC now offers adult digital literacy classes at several levels in Lincoln and will offer classes in other locations pending interest.
Ives said the SCC programs that teach computer skills to adult learners define digital literacy as “the ability to do what it takes to live in a digital world.”
Among those skills are:
• Basic computer skills, including accessing the internet, working with power sources to recharge equipment, being aware of cyber security needs, using a mouse, managing files, and keyboarding/typing.
• Internet skills, including a basic understanding of what it means to use the internet, working knowledge of email and being able to connect to a website application to set up an email account, schedule a medical appointment, or apply for a job or benefits.
• Operating system skills, which Ives said could include some of the major programs like Windows and its companion offerings like Word and Excel.
Though digital education may begin as soon as infants start mirroring their parents’ behaviors, general educational efforts cannot teach every digital development to come, she said.
“Really, life-long learning is where we are with technology. We all need to be a part of learning technology. As consumers it is our job to ask questions to make sure technology is meeting our needs,” Ives said. “The day you decide you want to learn is the perfect day to start.”
Alison Rook, director of Seward County Aging Services, is among those who see a need and are looking at educational opportunities for people related to their phones, computers and general digital literacy.
She said people are challenged to find phones, televisions or other appliances that are not “smart” products tied to the internet for updates, features and manuals. Some try buying prepay phones, which may offer simplicity, but lack the network of support that comes with a phone purchased from the stores and companies that specialize in communication equipment.
Once an item is purchased, seemingly constant updates and new features can be overwhelming.
“It just moves so quickly,” Rook said. “Technology moves so fast and they just get used to things and it changes again.”
Some seniors are “100% tech savvy,” she said, and some have become savvy in using specific things like Facebook, or genealogical or recipe websites.
But she said an emerging generation of older adults with technology skills are still getting frustrated by the speed and pervasive reach of change.
Last summer, Seward County residents participated in the Broadband Challenge, which tested and reported their access to broadband and the speed available to download or upload data as part of a statewide effort to identify where broadband access is limited.
Around 5,000 locations in Seward County reported challenges that could mark them as underserved or unserved for internet access.
The Seward County Broadband Task Force facilitated the county challenge response and is now working to obtain state and federal grants to improve and expand internet access in unserved or underserved areas through infrastructure development.
ALLO recently completed a section of such improvements in the northeast quadrant of the county, roughly from Garland east and north of the interstate.
The task force includes leaders from the Seward County Chamber and Development Partnership, Seward County Board of Commissioners, Southeast Nebraska Development District, industry partners, and area residents interested in improving access for telehealth, education, jobs, and communication with family and friends.
As the group moves forward, the project will expand to include schools, libraries, churches, clinics and civic groups to improve peoples’ digital literacy, access to device repair, and promotion of ways technology can enhance their quality of life.
Next week’s topic: Addressing needs for cybersafety