Digital Learning Pays Off

By Dr. Marciene Mattleman

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - On February 6, Sheila Anthony is celebrating. It's National Digital Learning Day, highlighting the effective use of technology through up-to-date teaching methods.

Locally, the Freedom Rings Partnership celebrates this day as an opportunity to promote its KEYSPOTS – more than 70 public computer centers in Philadelphia offering free internet access and computer training. And Sheila learned enough at her Southwest Philly Keyspot to land a job helping kids in an after school computer lab.

With an estimated 41% of Philadelphians lacking basic computer skills and Internet access, the digital divide threatens to keep low-income people from jobs.

Digital literacy is no longer an option. It's a serious economic empowerment issue that connects residents to learning, to job searching, online banking, government services and more.

As the nation celebrates Digital Learning Day, Keyspots aims to bridge the gap through free computer access citywide. For information, call the City's hotline at 311.