Last night, Aug. 21, Oak Hill Collaborative graduated four more students from its rural Digital Learning Center in Springfield Township.
While many students were excited to have earned a free laptop through the program, the sense of community in the room was unmatched.
Many students who began the program back in July when it first started expressed initially feeling embarrassed or not fully confident in their online abilities — and also alone in the learning process, nervous to begin courses with complete strangers.
Now, seven weeks after the program had begun, many students in the class have started connecting to the internet and to each other.
Deborah Wood graduated in Springfield Township the week prior, and last night her daughter Maddie graduated as well. For the pair, classes have become a weekly outing.
Wood expressed also having felt hesitant to initially attend because of the fear of embarrassment and nervousness. Now that she feels more comfortable through OHC’s computer classes, Wood said she has begun considering pursuing higher education again.
“I wanted to [pursue higher education], but I was always so intimidated because I had no clue of how to do a computer or anything, and I didn’t have anybody to teach me. So, I always thought that was out of reach,” Wood said.
For Wood, obtaining her own laptop was a milestone that leads to new possibilities beyond higher education, but also access to medical services, personal hobbies such as embroidery and more.
The classes have also acted as a way to connect the Springfield community. Wood, when out and about, now recognizes fellow classmates — and newly made friends — such as Jennifer Hill.
Hill started classes in Springfield in its very first week and has also earned a free laptop. She sat by Wood and her daughter at the most recent class after the pair bumped into each other at a local store and expressed how nice it is to recognize people outside of class and to say hello.
While Oak Hill Collaborative’s classes are designed for anyone regardless of age, Wood said it’s a blessing to have a nonjudgmental learning environment for her and her daughter to participate in.
“I was so surprised because I thought, ‘Well, maybe I’m too old to learn [a computer],’ and I’m so surprised — I’m not,” Wood said. “I feel comfortable, I can ask you anything, and I love this — I wrote the trustees two classes back when you guys were here because I feel this is so important.”
Wood said she was interested in learning more through OHC’s classes and will continue attending post-graduation with her daughter.
“When you get older, people kind of just brush you off, and that’s just how it is. Now, I don’t feel that bad anymore. Even if I didn’t get better — if I wanted to get a second job, everything is on the computer,” Wood said. “[My daughter] had a hard time with computers because no one taught her either. So, it’s more of a blessing than these guys even realize for us.”
Wood’s daughter is in her mid-20’s and works locally. In high school, Wood said her daughter never received any computer education because the class had not been available to all students.
Now, thanks to OHC’s computer classes, the mom-and-daughter duo are considering higher education and advanced work opportunities together.
The total number of students who have graduated from Springfield’s Digital Learning Center is now 15 – the most from any OHC location in a two-week period.
For anyone interested in attending classes at any location, pre-registration is not required, but individuals can call (330) 406-0731 for more information.
Additional information on the Springfield program is available online at oakhillcollaborative.org
Students may also contact OHC’s digital navigators to set up a one-on-one. To learn more or register, contact sarah@oakhillcollaborative.org
