The Innovation Hubs

Digital Inclusion Week 2020 takes place October 5 to 9. Sponsored by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance, the week aims to raise awareness around areas that include local technology training and support programs. 

During this week, the Library will offer a variety of digital literacy and technology lectures, classes, short tutorials on Instagram, and Let’s Learn Tech learning circles.

Lectures

KeithCHATS: Social Media: Addiction by Design 
Wednesday, October 7; 7:00 p.m.
Keith McDonald (Founder, keithChats) will discuss social media platforms, their AI, algorithms and data use, to demonstrate how users can be drawn into a vortex of traps, mind games and bullying. For many of us, the result is addiction, disappointment and depression. This keithCHATS session aims to engage and enlighten viewers on how to avoid the many pitfalls of everyday social media use and learn how to take measures to control and manage outcomes to the users’ advantage.

Women in Tech
Thursday, October 8; 4:00 p.m. 
A panel discussion with inspirational women from the tech industry. They will share experiences from their diverse roles and provide their personal and professional advice regarding an industry that traditionally is under-represented by women. 

Classes 

Learn How to Code Using Python

Python is an open source programming language that is used for creating web applications, web content, mathematics and system scripting. Learn about Python in this series of classes taught by TPL’s Digital Design Technicians. 

Python I
Monday, October 5; 3:00 p.m.
Learn how Python code works and get time to practice. Prior coding knowledge is not necessary for this introductory class. Key takeaways will include a working knowledge of variables, loops, conditional arguments and much more.

Python II
Wednesday October 7; 3;00 p.m.
Take the knowledge from the Introduction to Python I class a step further with more programming exercises, challenging functions and modules. Gain more insight into the flow and logic of your code, the do’s and don’ts, nested loops, operators and more!

Python III
Friday October 9; 3:00 p.m.
Build on the knowledge from Parts 1 and 2. At this point, you should be comfortable with creating variables, using basic functions, importing modules, loops, operators, and conditional arguments. Now you move into creating simple lists, two-dimensional lists, slicing and iterating, working with Boolean logic, escape characters and more.

Learn Web Design

HTML and CSS are two core technologies for building web pages. HTML builds the structure of the web page and CSS makes the web page look great. The Library’s Digital Innovation Hub Team offers a 7-part web series that begins during Digital Inclusion Week. Both classes are an introduction to building a web page. 

Web Design I – Introduction to HTML
Tuesday, October 6; 6:00 p.m.
Hyper Text Markup Language, or HTML, does more than just display buttons, comments and photos of cats: HTML allows people, computers and search engines to better understand the content on the page and link to even more content! After learning about the history of HTML and exploring the Markdown language, we will use a plain text editor (the easiest piece of software on your computer) to create a simple web page with content, hyperlinks and images.

Web Design II – Introduction to CSS
Wednesday, October 8; 6:00 p.m.
In this second part, we style and customize our existing HTML web pages using Cascading Style Sheets, or CSS. We will talk about the differences between HTML and CSS syntax and talk about how to format your pages into unique works of art.

Short Tutorials on Instagram

The Pop-Up Learning Instagram Page offers daily content – short tutorials on how to use digital software and technology. Here’s the schedule for Digital Inclusion Week.

• Monday, October 6 – How to create art using code
• Tuesday, October 7 – Web Design 
• Wednesday, October 8 – Use Blender to create 3D objects and DaVinci Resolve to edit videos
• Thursday, October 9 – Learn Arduino Using Tinkercad 

Let’s Learn Tech – Learning Circles

Learning circles are study groups guided by staff for people who want to take a free online course together in a welcoming space.

The Let’s Learn Tech learning circles meet twice a week and work together through the Cisco Networking Academy courses. Note: You must be registered for a Cisco Networking Academy course to participate in the learning circles and meetups. 

Python Essentials
Tuesday, October 6
Learn basic coding in Python, as well as general computer programming techniques and concepts. This course can help you prepare for Python Institute’s PCAP Certified Associate in Python Programming exam.

Virtual Meetup for Python Learners
Monday October 5; 1:00 p.m.
Virtual meetup for learners to discuss ideas and ask questions.

Introduction to Cybersecurity
Wednesday, October 7
Learn about different types of cyber attacks, measures organizations use to mitigate risks, and career options in cybersecurity.

Virtual Meetup for Introduction to Cybersecurity
Monday October 5; 1:00 p.m.
Virtual meetup for learners to discuss ideas and ask questions.

Linux Essentials
Friday, October 9
Learn basic concepts about open source and build foundational knowledge of the Linux operating system. This course can help you prepare for the LPI Linux Essentials Professional Development Certificate exam.