2021-084 Technology ProgramsDate: October 8, 2021 Report No. 2021-084
INFORMAL STAFF REPORT
TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT:
During the City Council retreat on February 23, 2021, a consensus of Council gave direction to
provide technology training for youth and seniors as requested by former Council Member Birdia
Johnson.
BACKGROUND:
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Parks and Recreation staff partnered with other City
departments to make significant efforts to offer virtual programs to our community. In some areas,
these efforts fell short due to barriers related to senior and youth access to technology. Staff offered
one-on-one training and virtual small-group training to assist seniors with participating in these
programs. However, the limited access to dedicated in-person training proved to be difficult.
MLK Jr. Rec Center has historically coordinated with the Library to provide outreach technology
programming for youth summer camp participants and anticipates continuing that partnership as
COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. Additionally, MLK Jr. Rec Center has partnered with Denton
ISD, Youth Tech Inc., Goodwill, and other community partners to offer a variety of education and
technology programs for youth and adults. These programs began being offered in summer 2021.
The Senior Center has not offered group technology training over the past few years due to lack
of enrollment and the loss of instructors. Staff has occasionally assisted members with learning to
use new smart devices upon request, but no formal class have been offered. In an effort to bring
back individual training opportunities, staff moved one computer to an enclosed room for one-on-
one training but was not able to start the program before the facility closed due to the COVID-19
pandemic.
The Denton Public Library has a variety of online learning resources that include training videos
and exercises to learn technology, business, job hunting, and homework topics. These resources
are available 24/7 with a Denton Public Library account. All residents of the City of Denton are
eligible for a free Denton Public Library card.
Following the reopening of the recreation centers and the libraries post COVID closures, staff from
both departments began working together to develop a plan to collaboratively provide technology
and “how to” classes for the community. Progress has been slowed because of some changes in
staffing and the reopening of facilities; however, programs will be offered in the Fall of 2021.
DISCUSSION:
Through the DPL2Go outreach program, Library and Recreation staff will collaboratively provide
programming at the recreation centers in addition to what is already being provide in the libraries.
Date: October 8, 2021 Report No. 2021-084
Beginning in October, “Tech Tuesdays” at the Denton Senior Center will include monthly classes
focusing on the introduction of online tools such as creating a g-mail account, attaching documents
to emails, tips and tricks for using internet search engines, tips for filling out online forms,
connecting with others using zoom, recognizing internet fraud, etc. As we work through the
scheduled topics, we will incorporate our favorite applications or “apps”, including Engage
Denton, Discuss Denton, and other apps as requested. The Senior Center also houses public access
computers which will be available for one-on-one private tutoring.
With the opening of the American Legion Hall Senior Center scheduled for October, staff are also
planning to offer technology programs utilizing the ALH computer lab, which will include six
public access computers.
MLK Jr. Rec Center offered seven Youth Tech Inc. Camps this summer (Attachment 3). These
classes included Movie Makers, Roblox Studio, Gaming and Coding, iGame Creators, iCoding,
Animation and Game Design. Two classes were at capacity while the other five were near capacity
with 47 youth registered this summer. Additional programs at MLK Jr. Rec Center are being
coordinated with the library for Fall and Winter sessions.
These programs are marketed via the City of Denton website, social media, the senior recreation
magazine, and the Parks and Recreation PLAY Guide.
By partnering with the library to bring these service to the recreation centers, we hope to encourage
the community to seek additional learning and access opportunities through services offered at the
libraries. In addition to in-person programs, the library offers a variety of online resources.
Support Technology and Workforce Development Training:
• LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com)—on demand video classes and tutorials to
build technology, creative, and business skills
• Brainfuse—resume help, career skill training, and citizenship test preparation
• LearningExpress—practice tests, exercises, skill-building courses, and information for
GED, college prep, job searching, citizenship, and more.
• Small Business Reference Center—Information for the small business person including
starting a company, business plans, operation management, sales and growing a
business.
• Reference Solutions—find sales leads, business competition, and support services and
tools for your business
Resources for Students
• Brainfuse Homework Help—live homework help tutoring for grades 3-college 3-10
p.m. daily. Test help, writing assistance, and study materials.
Date: October 8, 2021 Report No. 2021-084
• Learning Express Library-- practice tests (including STAAR tests), math, reading, and
writing skills improvement and exercises, skill-building courses, and information for
GED, college prep, job searching, citizenship, and more.
• Various research databases and resources for K-12 students also
Denton Public Library also provides Grow with Google virtual classes on a variety of technology
and business topics. Grow with Google classes are online events available to anyone with a
computer or tablet and internet access. Class schedules and topics are provided by the Grow with
Google program and advertised on DPL marketing platforms.
CONCLUSION:
Staff will continue to monitor the demand for a variety of technology “how to” topics and
implement them as able.
STAFF CONTACT:
Megan Thomas
Senior Center Supervisor, Parks and Recreation
Megan.thomas@cityofdenton.com
Cheylon Brown
Martin Luther King Jr. Rec Center Supervisor, Parks and Recreation
Cheylon.brown@cityofdenton.com
REQUESTOR: Former Council Member Birdia Johnson
PARTICIPATING DEPARTMENTS: Denton Parks & Recreation
Denton Public Library
STAFF TIME TO COMPLETE REPORT:
Completion of ISR: Megan Thomas - 4 hours