BALTIMORE – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) today joined with Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski to announce an initiative to expand economic and educational opportunities by increasing digital literacy skills in America. At a public computing center at Coppin State University, the officials unveiled www.DigitalLiteracy.gov, a new Web site that provides libraries, community colleges, schools and workforce training centers a variety of resources and tools for teaching computer and Internet skills, which are needed in today’s economy.
“Technology is the key to jobs in today’s economy, but more people need access to computers and the ability to use them,” Senator Cardin said. “Coppin State University’s community computer center is at the forefront of ensuring that Marylanders have the skills they need to succeed and find jobs. This computer center will help make technology more accessible, and the new website – DigitalLiteracy.gov – will provide people with the computer and Internet skills needed for the digital age.”
“In a globalized, 21st century economy, when you don’t have regular access to the high-speed Internet – and the skills to use it – you confront a narrowed world of educational, business, and employment opportunities,” Secretary Locke said. “The tools we are unveiling today will help more Americans gain valuable job skills and augment the Recovery Act investments we are making to expand broadband access and adoption nationwide.”
The Coppin State’s public computer center is funded through the Recovery Act’s Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP), an initiative that is investing $4 billion in constructing and upgrading more than 100,000 miles of broadband networks. Additionally, the Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), has partnered with nine federal agencies to create www.DigitalLiteracy.gov to provide librarians, teachers, workforce trainers, and others a central location to share digital literacy content and best practices.
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