No One Left Behind in the Contactless Era... Expanding 'Digital Literacy Learning Centers' to 14 Locations

‘Digital Literacy Learning Centers’ Expanded by 8 Locations This Year... Supporting Learning Near Residential Areas

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Seoul Metropolitan Government is expanding the number of 'Digital Literacy Learning Centers,' where citizens can learn how to use digital devices such as smartphones and kiosks, from the current 6 locations to 14, to ensure that citizens are not left behind in daily life amid the accelerated digital and non-face-to-face era caused by COVID-19.

On the 25th, Seoul announced that by the end of this month, 8 additional centers will be established, including Seongdong-gu Yongdap Library and Yangcheon-gu Lifelong Learning Center. The goal is to create a denser network by region so that learning can take place near residential areas, with all institutions starting education by mid-June.

The 'Digital Literacy Learning Centers' provide step-by-step customized education that can be immediately applied in daily life, tailored to learners' levels and needs, such as smartphone usage (beginner) - learning KakaoTalk conversations (basic) - experiencing kiosks (intermediate). Kiosks identical to real ones are installed.

Citizens who apply for the beginner class can learn how to use smartphones, including entering contacts, making calls, and sending text messages. The basic class teaches how to install KakaoTalk, create chat rooms, and send messages. The intermediate class allows learners to directly experience ordering food at cafes and fast food restaurants or booking bus and train tickets using kiosks.

Additionally, Seoul has selected and started operating a total of 36 literacy education programs this year. These programs are designed to ensure that low-literate and illiterate individuals are not excluded in a world communicating through text in the digital and illiteracy era. The courses include ▲ 'Basic Literacy Education Programs' (14 programs) for elementary and middle school level literacy learning ▲ 'Specialized Literacy Education Programs' (10 programs) for learning daily literacy such as digital device usage and public transportation use ▲ 'Qualification Exam Programs' (3 programs) providing opportunities for low-literate adults to obtain academic credentials.

Furthermore, 'Regionally Specialized Literacy Classes' (9 programs) reflecting the human and regional characteristics of each autonomous district are actively supported. All classes are conducted both face-to-face and online in accordance with social distancing policies due to COVID-19. In addition, customized program operations consider not only learning topics such as basic literacy and specialization but also learner characteristics to support thorough literacy education without blind spots.

Lee Dae-hyun, Director of Lifelong Education at Seoul City, said, "We will continue to support the operation of literacy education programs to provide educational opportunities to adults who missed formal education, improving their life skills and expanding opportunities for social participation among educationally marginalized groups." He added, "In particular, we plan to revitalize literacy education to ensure that no one is left behind as lifestyles change due to COVID-19."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.