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Digital Inclusion, Education IT

US bilingual project to bridge the digital divide

By Pia Rufino | 18 August 2011

Public-private collaboration in US has spurred the creation of the biggest bilingual Internet training programme designed to close the digital divide which disproportionately affects Hispanic families.

The programme, called Club digital, offers 30 days of bilingual and interactive lessons about all aspects of the Internet that will run throughout this month in different publications in the country.

The lessons are also available anytime at www.laopinion.com/clubdigital. More than 200,000 lesson supplements will be distributed free of charge by community organizations throughout California.

Club digital is a brainchild of impreMedia, a news and information company.

Among the project implementers are the California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF), the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), AT&T and the Dewey Square Group.

A portion of Club Digital was funded by the US Department of Commerce American Reinvestment and Recovery Act Funds and the CETF.

Juan Sepulveda, Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics said the programme will improve educational opportunities for millions of Hispanics.

“Accessing the Internet is one of the best ways we know to improve the academic achievement of Hispanic Americans,” he further said.

Tom Torlakson, California State Superintendent of Public Instruction said: “Preparing all students for success demands we ensure no child is left offline–at home or at school.”

Club Digital users were also able to visit an onsite mobile computer lab provided by the Southeast Community Development Corporation, which will travel around the Los Angeles area, inviting users to try Club Digital.

In early 2012, Club Digital will expand nationally to reach more than 9.4 million Hispanics.

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