Cox Communications(No. 18 on the Fair360, formerly DiversityInc Top 50 Companies list) has announced the launch of the Cox Digital Academy, an expansion of its Connect2Compete (C2C) program. Available to parents, students and educators seeking to improve their digital skills, the Cox Digital Academy will provide free online educational resources and training to increase digital competency in education, jobs, housing, social media and more.
“After nearly two decades of offering low income access programs and connecting families to the internet, the Cox Digital Academy is a natural extension of our Connect2Compete program that better equips children and parents to maximize the power of those connections with online tools,” said Pat Esser, president of Cox Communications. “Access is an important first step, but digital literacy must be maximized to ensure that we close the digital divide for children and enable them to compete in the modern marketplace.”
The Cox Digital Academy provides content, tools and resources from Common Sense, EVERFI and the Public Library Association, covering:
- Computer and internet basics, teaching users how to conduct web searches, create and manage email accounts, and how to navigate search engines.
- Educational games and resources for students and teachers, providing homework help, teaching strategies, and more.
- Job skills, enabling parents to easily navigate job search engines, create resumes and fill out online applications.
- Social media and online safety, giving parents and children the tools to help prevent cyberbullying, learn about social media basics, and protect social media privacy.
- Online financial literacy, such as setting up or managing a checking account online and managing an online budget.
“From tips on how to keep kids safe online to glossaries to decode digital terms, Common Sense aims to be a trusted ally for parents and educators, helping kids to harness the power of media and technology for learning and life,” said Amy Guggenheim Shenkan, President and Chief Operating Officer of Common Sense. “We’re thrilled to partner with Cox to help close the digital divide, so that all families, educators, and — most importantly kids have access to the tools and resources they need to succeed.”
The American Library Association (ALA) and Cox Communications continue to strengthen their partnership and expanding the shared commitment to connecting low-income students and their families with technology, providing a stronger foundation for success in the classroom, in continuing education and in job opportunities. Through this new partnership, more low-income families will have access to digital literacy training and resources in their local libraries and online at www.digitallearn.org.
“Public libraries are dedicated to helping their patrons and community members to thrive in the knowledge economy,” says Public Library Association (PLA) President Pam Sandlian Smith. “To that end, we are proud to partner with Cox Communications by piloting the deployment of enhanced digital literacy training and resources at select libraries across the U.S. PLA is pleased that even more learners will have access to the training we created for DigitalLearn.org through the Cox Digital Academy.”
EVERFI is on the front lines of education’s evolution, connecting learning to the real world by equipping users with the skills they need for success beyond the classroom.
“We are thrilled to work with Cox Communications to launch this incredible program harnessing technology to teach critical life skills,” said Jon Chapman, EVERFI Co-Founder and President of Global Partnerships. “This partnership will empower and educate families and communities by providing them with the tools they need to thrive in this ever-changing digital age.”
Cox Communications was the first to support the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s ConnectHome initiative and K-12 families in HUD communities within Cox markets automatically qualify for our C2C program.
“Cox Communications has and continues to be a pioneer in the digital inclusion space,” said Chike Aguh, chief executive officer of EveryoneOn. “The Cox Digital Academy is a worthy addition to their commitment to making sure that all people have access to the opportunities that the internet and digital literacy training provides.”
Along with Connect2Compete and the Cox Digital Academy, Cox is dedicated to supporting local communities and technology adoption. Since 2004, Cox Communications has installed 100 Technology Centers at Boys & Girls Clubs of America Clubhouses throughout the country. Valued at $25,000, each Boys & Girls Club Technology Center includes computers, monitors, laptops, printers as well the Internet service, enabling the students to complete their school assignments and learn critical digital literacy skills that are important to their future success.
Since 2012, more than a quarter million people have been connected to the internet via Cox’s Connect2Compete (C2C) program. For more information, or to sign up for Connect2Compete call 1-855-222-3252, or visit www.cox.com/aboutus/connect2compete.html.
Check out the Cox Digital Academy here: www.cox.com/aboutus/connect2compete/digital-academy.html.
