Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By RICHARD JENKINS
Hurley — Iron County is in the process of launching a new program designed to highlight the need for broadband internet access.
The Iron County 4-H Tech Changemakers, part of a larger partnership between 4-H and Microsoft, is designed to use students as “digital ambassadors” to teach seniors in the community about technology.
“The idea was to get high school students involved in the education of their community about the need for broadband access,” said Neil Klemme, the University of Wisconsin-Extension 4-H youth development education for Iron County.
Klemme said he plans to hold classes in both Mercer and Hurley on Thursdays beginning in January — with Jan. 9, 16 and 23 held somewhere in Hurley and Jan. 8, 15 and 22 at the Mercer Library. Classes are planned to run from 1 to 2 p.m., Klemme said.
The classes will train people on various aspects of technology and how to take full advantage of the internet, according to Klemme — with potential topics including social media, video messaging and online shopping.
He said the older generations that didn’t grow up with the internet don’t necessarily realize its potential, while it usually comes natural to the students who don’t know a life without the technology.
“They grew up with a tablet in their hand and a phone in their hand, they know how to do it better than I do. I think they’re the right people to teach those kinds of things to the community. The key to the program though is training them to be teachers,” Klemme said.
This intergenerational aspect of the program is part of what makes the program unique, Klemme said, and teaches the students that they need to learn how to communicate information to people with a range of technological awareness.
He said he also hopes to incorporate educating younger students into the Changemakers program too, with the possibility of covering topics like online safety and password security.
Microsoft started the Tech Changemakers program in Washington state, according to Klemme, before launching a larger pilot program in Wisconsin and then expanding it to Iron County and other interested communities.
Klemme said the program provides a grant to fund the purchase of needed technology and other costs associated with it.
Those interested in participating the program can watch the Iron County 4-H Tech Changemakers Facebook page for updates and additional information. People can also contact Klemme at 715-561-2695.
