What We Do

Individuals can use the free resources on this website to improve their own skills or to work with others to improve theirs.

We provide tested coaching models to community partners for how to reach participants so you can start quickly with our resources as your guide. We can provide consultation to organizations interested in getting a coaching program started and assist in training coaches who can then prepare others who want to coach – a train-the-trainer approach. We can also link you with other groups that have provided digital literacy coaching to share their experiences.

In the tri-county area of Michigan we can work with senior centers, senior residences, assisted living facilities, older adult service agencies, libraries, and other organizations to provide coaching to people interested in furthering their digital literacy. Use the form in Contact Us to get things started.

Field-tested models 

One-to-one coaching

All it takes is a coach, a learner, and our guides and videos to make a difference in the skill and comfort of learners. This is the model used in our work with home-delivered-meal (HDM) recipients, but it can be used by anyone working with a learner.

• More About: one-to-one coaching

  We piloted this approach in the Virtual Table project in 2021-2022, during the COVID-19 pandemic in collaboration with the Otsego County Commission on Aging. Supported by a grant from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund, the project was designed to encourage older adults to engage with technology. Trusted HDM drivers recruited isolated recipients who were often hesitant about using technology. With consent, participants received a tablet computer, a six-month data plan, and a printed guide covering ICT basics (e.g., tablet operation, privacy and security, email, browsers, video calling, and photos). Weekly coaching sessions on tablet features and use (8–12 weeks) were followed by 6–8 weeks of telehealth training using videos prepared by the project. Among those who completed the project, the frequency and range of technologies used (e.g., Gmail, browsers, photo apps) increased significantly. Use of video calls also increased significantly, especially with family and friends. Telehealth use remained low due to limited provider availability in that region.

  Although providing free tablets and data plans was not a sustainable model, the success of this hands-on one-to-one coaching model encouraged the project team to continue digital literacy efforts.

  The HDM model has been used in both Otsego and Antrim counties after the project developed new smartphone guides. Data suggested a large majority of older adults already own smartphones so this was a way to reach more older adults. In addition, the project team developed an approach using teams of coaches to work in congregate settings.

Congregate settings (like senior centers, libraries, senior residences)

With a few Android and iPhone coaches, small groups of learners can use the smartphone guides page by page to learn new content and reinforce what they know. Coaches can generally work with 2-4 learners each.

• More About: congregate settings

  This model has been field-tested in three community partner sites. The general plan begins with preliminary conversations with the site program director to assess level of interest. Then at an orientation session the full program is described – usually six weeks at 60-90 minutes per week. Learners complete a survey providing baseline information, including whether they use an iPhone or Android device. This allows the team to ensure there are an adequate number of iPhone and Android coaches, and to arrange for the appropriate number of each guide to be printed. The coaching begins the following week, with four sessions for smartphone content and two sessions for telehealth basics.

Caregiver-focused with trained student coaches

Older adults generally recognize young people as being knowledgeable about technology. This provides opportunities for intergenerational coaching models.

• More About: caregiver-focused with trained student coaches

  One community partner opted to provide coaching for caregivers of older adults. They worked with a local high school program and recruited students interested in potential careers related to technology. Student coaches were trained and then matched one-to-one with caregivers for weekly sessions. Caregivers reported good progress in digital literacy and awareness of telehealth, and both caregivers and students spoke very positively of the relationship built through the weekly sessions.

Digital skill training for direct care workers 

For many older adults aging in place, their direct care worker (DCW) is the person outside their family they see most often, and whom they feel comfortable with and trust. What better person to use some of the time together to enhance smartphone skills and awareness of telehealth resources?

• More About: digital skill training for direct care workers

  The Otsego County Commission on Aging has seen the potential value in this approach. They have trained all their DCW staff using both digital literacy (smartphone) and telehealth resources. These staff members have reported positive outcomes in their own technology habits. Now the agency has arranged for eight of the DCWs to work with two of their clients each to coach those clients on the same content. Stay tuned for results!

We Train and Support Coaches

The guides available on our website were designed to be easy to use for all. Many people interested in coaching a family member or friend will be able to use the resources without assistance. For those interested in coaching others through sessions organized by an agency or library, we will work with that agency to prepare you for your coaching role. Then we hope ultimately you will be able to help prepare other new volunteers.

In addition to the initial training, we have learned that coaches value the opportunity to connect with each other. These connections enable conversations about best practices and how to handle challenging situations, and they primarily support social contact with others dedicated to enhancing digital literacy.

When you become a coach, we will provide contact details for linking with other coaches for ongoing contact and support. In addition, the MSU team is always here to address any questions or concerns. You can contact us at virtualconnect@msu.edu

As capacity allows, we offer light consultation to organizations initiating their coaching efforts. Contact us to get things started.