Internet Skills Training Class To Be Held Jan. 29 at Rison

RISON - Anyone interested in learning more about using the internet and digital devices is invited to attend free "digital skills" training class that will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Monday, Jan. 29, at the Hall-Morgan Veterans Building, 404 Sycamore Street in Rison across from the courthouse. Danielle Watson, family and consumer science agent for the Cleveland County Cooperative Extension Office, is leading the effort to bring digital skills training to the county on behalf of the Cleveland County Broadband Committee. She said the classes are designed to help those who may not be familiar with using the internet or digital devices like computers, smart phones or tablets. Watson said laptop computers will be provided to those attending the training so they will be able to get some hands-on training. While those attending do not have to register in advance, Watson said it would be helpful for anyone planning to come to call the Cleveland County Extension Office at (870) 325-6321 in advance to make sure to have enough laptops. Creating strong passwords will be the focus of this first training session at Rison. Watson pointed out that was the same subject used for the first digital skills training class held at Woodlawn High School in November. Watson said those attending the Jan. 29 session will be surveyed to see what topic they would like to cover in the next class. She said those attending the Woodlawn session wanted to learn more about avoiding online scams in their next class. The digital skill training classes are part of an initiative by the Cleveland County Broadband Committee to put the county in a better position to secure grants to help expand the fiber optic network to unserved or under-served areas of the county. The Arkansas Broad-band Office has announced it will consider three factors in awarding the grants: the need for high-speed internet within a county, the affordability of the internet service...