November 2025

Tech Teaching Monthly

A monthly note from Wright to Learn for our friends and colleagues working to narrow the digital divide.

Welcome! Tech Teaching Monthly is Wright to Learn’s monthly newsletter for our digital inclusion colleagues, local partner organizations, and anybody who teaches or cares about digital skills in their community. In each issue we’ll share program updates, resources, and stories from the field to help libraries, senior centers, and community groups strengthen digital resilience in their communities. We believe our work is strongest when we grow together — and this newsletter is here to keep us connected, informed, and inspired.

Digital Resilience Teaching Tip

Experimentation is one of the best ways to build confidence with technology; in fact, our brains are wired to remember things better when we have to do a bit of trial and error rather than being shown the correct path up front. That said, not all digital spaces are safe to experiment in! Help learners practice identifying when it’s safe to explore and when it’s time to pause and ask for help.

✅ Encourage safe experimentation by:

Using a library computer instead of their personal device
Making a "sandbox" file to freely explore program features without risk
Playing classic games like Solitaire or Minesweeper, which were actually designed to teach mouse skills like drag‑and‑drop and right‑clicking!

🚫 Teach caution when:

A suspicious email or text arrives
A scary or urgent pop‑up appears
They're working with important documents or photos that might not be saved or backed up.

By creating safer spaces for exploration, we help learners grow their digital skills while also building good habits about when to stop and ask for help.

Reading Corner

Explore the Digital Opportunity Playbook
How can industry and community partnerships help close the digital divide and expand access to opportunity? The Digital Opportunity Playbook from TCS Empowers shares practical strategies and real-world examples from across the U.S.—including insights from Wright to Learn founder Xandi Wright, who contributed to the research.
Read the Digital Opportunity Playbook here.

FCC Commissioner Gomez Calls for Renewed Focus on Digital Equity
At a recent event in Arlington, FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez voiced concern over the loss of key programs like the Affordable Connectivity Program, calling them vital lifelines for learners, workers, and families alike. Her remarks underscore the urgent need for continued efforts to close the digital divide and ensure access for all.
Read more via Broadband Breakfast here.

The Lamp Club and the Art of Unplugging
What does it mean to resist technology in a world where digital access is increasingly essential? A recent New York Times profile of the Lamp Club—a student-led “neo-Luddite” group in NYC—offers one answer, with whimsical protests, unplugged gatherings, and a strong critique of screen time, surveillance, and online commodification. Their rallying cry? Step away from the scroll and reconnect with real life.

The article itself walks an interesting line: fascinated by the students’ defiance, but also casting them as a bit eccentric. And maybe that’s part of the point: they’re challenging norms by refusing to treat digital life as inevitable.

At Wright to Learn, we see this kind of critique not as a contradiction to digital inclusion, but as a reminder: more tech isn’t always better tech. Our work is about equipping people with the skills, access, and critical thinking they need to make informed, empowered choices, whether that means diving into a new platform or choosing to unplug.
Read the NYT article here.

Upcoming Events

Join Us at Net Inclusion 2026
Wright to Learn will be attending Net Inclusion 2026, hosted by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA), February 3–5 at the Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk. This annual event brings together community organizations, educators, and digital equity advocates to share strategies for expanding broadband access, digital literacy, and inclusion nationwide.

If your work touches digital access or community learning, this is the conference to be at! We hope to see you there.
Register here.

Wright to Learn News

New Workshop Topics Added!

We’re excited to announce two new workshop topics recently added to the Wright to Learn catalog! We would love to bring one or both of these new topics to your location in the winter or spring.

Smart Home Basics: Convenience vs. Privacy
Curious about smart home devices but unsure where to start? Learn about popular gadgets, how they connect with your phone, and what to consider around security and privacy before you buy.
Passwords, Passkeys, and Password Managers
We’ve all heard we should use strong, unique passwords—but how are you supposed to keep track of them all? In this session, you’ll explore simple ways to stay safe online, including how password managers and passkeys can help you ditch the sticky notes and take control of your digital security.

See the Full Course Catalog

Conference Retrospective

We had an amazing time at the Illinois Library Association Annual Conference (ILAAC) last month! Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth — we loved connecting with so many library professionals who share our passion for learning, inclusion, and digital confidence.

If you’re interested in bringing public-facing classes to your library or scheduling staff training and consulting, we’d love to collaborate with you. Explore our offerings on our website or email us with any questions.

Together, we’re helping libraries and their communities thrive in a digital world!

Email Us

Upcoming Wright to Learn Classes

Streaming, Borrowing, and Sharing: Accessing Media Online
La Grange Public Library
Nov 11, 1:00pm

Smart Home Basics: Convenience vs. Privacy
Chicago Ridge Public Library
Nov 18, 2:00pm

Smart Phone Q & A
Forest Park Public Library
Nov 19, 1:00pm

Avoiding Spam & Scams
North Riverside Public Library
Nov 20, 5:30pm

Don’t Believe Everything You Read
Levy Senior Center
Dec 2, 3:30pm

Using AI Wisely: Tips for Everyday Decisions
North Riverside Public Library
Dec 4, 5:30pm

Partner Spotlight

Every month, Wright to Learn highlights one of our amazing partners who help us to tackle digital inequity in our community by hosting our customized programs and courses that empower individual learners in navigating technological challenges. This month we are excited to feature one of our longest standing partners: Forest Park Public Library.

In addition to scheduling regular Wright to Learn classes at the library throughout the year, This summer, Forest Park Public Library welcomed the first of two cohorts for a six-week digital literacy workshop led by Xandi Wright, founder of Wright to Learn. A second cohort finished up a few weeks ago, with both groups diving into skills like online organization, video conferencing, and navigating today’s digital news landscape.

The program is a collaboration between Wright to Learn, Forest Park Public Library, and Growing Community Media, publisher of the Forest Park Review. Thanks to a grant from the Cook County Digital Equity IMPACT Small Grants program, participants who complete the course not only gain new confidence and skills, but also get to keep the tablets they’ve been learning on. Read more here.

We’re proud to spotlight this partnership that brings lasting tools and opportunities to the Forest Park community.

“I was always afraid I would lose data… and I’m not afraid like I was anymore.” – Cohort participant

Do you want to be featured in a future Partner Spotlight?

Connect with Wright to Learn