Minnesota is striving to provide Digital Opportunity for all families and businesses

The ConnectedMN Digital Navigation Framework

ConnectedMN has collaboratively developed a new framework for Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) around Minnesota currently providing, or intending to provide, digital navigation services in their communities. There is new federal spending in Minnesota (aimed at supporting thousands of Minnesotans who are looking forward to improving high-speed broadband connectivity and digital navigation supports in their communities), so CBOs have an opportunity to augment their service offerings to include Digital Navigation or enhance existing services. This framework is intended to recognize skills, attributes, and knowledge that people have and provide a roadmap for developing excellent digital navigators so their community members can learn to take full advantage of the many services available via high-speed broadband internet.

  • There are currently over 300,000 households in MN with either no high speed internet (broadband) or insufficient speeds to meet their needs. Many people will be newly served and will need help learning how to get the most out of their new services, and the devices they will connect to high speed internet. Digital Navigators will be the ones to help them, and maybe organizations like yours could be the ones to train them!

  • It all began with an assertion - given the hundreds, indeed thousands, of new households receiving high speed service over the next 3 years, we’ll need hundreds of navigators to help them. ConnectedMN teams created a new Digital Navigator Framework that is a comprehensive guide that will be shared freely with organizations who are already providing navigation services, or those who’d like to start new programs!

  • Once you have a navigation program in place and are offering your clients and constituents services, we expect to help form collaborative cohorts of providers and community organizations to share experiences and best practices from the field to continually improve upon the success of students and families using new services.

  • We worked with a number of different organizations and individuals with experience in this field to help develop the current draft of the Digital Navigation Framework. We will continue to seek our partner’s input and perspectives from the experience they’ve gained in the field to improve our collective work.

Digital Navigation Framework

Competencies

WHAT SKILLS DOES IT TAKE TO BE AN EFFECTIVE DIGITAL NAVIGATOR?

1.

Understands the assets and needs of the communities they serve

  • Uses active listening strategies to ensure understanding and demonstrating empathy. Attentively listens to community members' concerns and feedback. Shows a genuine interest, values community members perspectives, preferences and experiences.

    Can identify community needs through conversations, focus groups, and surveys with the community (Needs Assessment: Steps to NA)

    Finds additional relevant information and data, including community demographics, lifestyle, health, economic and employment, captured in the needs assessment, that help to develop a more complete understanding of the community

    Able to use collected information to make decisions about what resources are needed and how to best connect available resources with those who need them.

  • Developing:

    Sometimes shows active listening and concerns by asking some questions about the community’s concerns, needs, hopes and dreams. Completes a needs assessment by gathering basic information from the community and draws limited conclusions that can inform decision-making.

    Meets:

    Regularly listens carefully, showing care through questions. Does needs checks using diverse methods, effectively identifying gaps, dangers, and chances. Skilled at accessing and understanding community info to make informed choices about help.

    Exceeds:

    Really good at listening and understanding people. Ask really great questions and check carefully to see what help is needed. Great at looking at lots of information about the community to come up with new ideas to help. Can talk well in the community's languages or get someone to help translate if needed.

2.

Ability to build trust within the community

  • Recognizes and respects the variation and nuance in cultural norms, values, and differences that build understanding and trust (Cultural Competency)

    Can effectively communicate with racially and culturally diverse communities by respecting, learning, and adapting to appropriate tone, body language, and non-verbal cues. (Cross-Cultural Communication)

    Checks for effective communicaiton by checking for mutual understanding in order to avoid misunderstandings or misinterpretations. (Cross-Cultural Communication)

    Adapts to various cultural norms, values, and customs in order to work in partnership with diverse communities and in diverse environments.

  • Developing

    Understanding and respect for different cultures are shown when interacting with diverse groups. Understanding the different communication styles and changing the tone and non-verbal cues accordingly is done. Flexibility in adapting to cultural norms and customs is shown, being open to adapting behavior as necessary.

    Meets

    Knowing a lot about different cultures and being very careful, respecting the differences, rules, and beliefs of diverse groups is shown. Talking well with people from different cultures, changing how speaking and acting to make things clear, is done. Being good at changing how acting and talking to fit different cultures and languages in the community is shown.

    Exceeds

    Demonstrates exceptional cultural sensitivity, adeptly navigating and respecting cultural nuances, norms, and values when interacting with diverse communities. Masters communicating across cultures, effectively exchanging information with individuals from various cultural backgrounds to ensure mutual understanding and reduce misunderstandings. Displays remarkable cultural adaptability, seamlessly integrating into a wide array of cultural environments through a combination of open-mindedness, continuous learning, and adept adjustment of behavior and communication. Approachability transcends cultural boundaries, making a valued and respected figure in intercultural interactions, acknowledging that engaging with different cultures requires ongoing effort and is not without challenges.

3.

Understands, communicates, and interacts with people across cultures and from diverse backgrounds

  • Uses appropriate body language (i.e. eye contact) and offers verbal and nonverbal cues to indicate engagement. Asks questions and paraphrases to ensure accurate and complete understanding.

    Shows empathy by building understanding and report with community members. Shows care and understanding of their emotions, challenges and aspirations, and offers support when needed. Creates a welcoming environment that fosters a sense of belonging and reinforces a genuine concern for well-being.

    Builds trust through open communication by sharing information, updates, and decisions with the community in a clear and honest manner to establish and maintain credibility.

    Reliably keeps promises, fulfills commitments and meets expectations. Takes responsibility for mistakes.

  • Developing:

    Understanding and respect for different cultures are shown when interacting with diverse groups. Understanding the different communication styles and changing the tone and non-verbal cues accordingly is done. Flexibility in adapting to cultural norms and customs is shown, being open to adapting behavior as necessary.

    Meets:

    Knowing a lot about different cultures and being very careful, respecting the differences, rules, and beliefs of diverse groups is shown. Talking well with people from different cultures, changing how speaking and acting to make things clear, is done. Being good at changing how acting and talking to fit different cultures and languages in the community is shown.

    Exceeds:

    Demonstrates exceptional cultural sensitivity, adeptly navigating and respecting cultural nuances, norms, and values when interacting with diverse communities. Masters communicating across cultures, effectively exchanging information with individuals from various cultural backgrounds to ensure mutual understanding and reduce misunderstandings. Displays remarkable cultural adaptability, seamlessly integrating into a wide array of cultural environments through a combination of open-mindedness, continuous learning, and adept adjustment of behavior and communication.

    Approachability transcends cultural boundaries, making a valued and respected figure in intercultural interactions, acknowledging that engaging with different cultures requires ongoing effort and is not without challenges.

4.

Has an ability and desire to teach an identified audience

  • Clearly communicates, both in verbal and written form, ideas and information by breaking it down into more easily understood parts and offering relevant examples (The 7 C's of Effective Communication)

    Breaks down complex tasks into smaller, more easily understood and practiced, steps for newl learners to follow and provides the necessary supports for learners to be successful. (Scaffolding & Differentiation)

    Uses strategies to understand the current skill level and needs of community members (Assessment & Evaluation)

    Uses a variety of teaching styles and techniques in order to meet the needs and learning styles of their student audience (Adaptive Teaching)

  • Developing: Tries to teach in different ways to help different people learn.

    Meets: Talks and writes clearly to explain tricky ideas, thinking about different people's needs. Changing teaching to help different people learn better.

    Exceeds: Makes hard ideas easy to understand when talking or writing. Change teaching to help everyone learn best, always asking for advice to do better.

5.

Conducts themselves in an approachable and respectable way.

  • Engages in open and inclusive conversations, ensuring that everyone feels heard and valued. Encouraging others to come forward with questions, feedback, or suggestions.

    Able to deeply consider and understand another persons perspective by imagining themselves in the others position or circumstances.

    Shows genuine concern for those around them and offers support creating a comfortable environment to share challenges and collaborate.

    Demonstrates respect by being responsive and understanding of others. This can include being consientious of tone and body language.

  • Developing:

    Sometimes asks questions to understand better and try hard to learn new things. Tries to find information in books and other places. Tries to explain ideas but sometimes finds it hard to be clear.

    Meets:

    Joins in learning activities and gets good at new ideas and skills by trying different ways of learning. Finds information in many places and asks good questions to understand better.

    Exceeds:

    Gets really good at learning new things, especially when teaching people who find learning hard. Finds a lot of information and asks great questions to understand deeply.

6.

Has a desire and ability to learn

  • Learns in new situations and understands concepts, information, and skills quickly by engaging with the concepts through discussion and exploration (Active Learning)

    Seeks opportunities for continued learning that can translate to better meeting community needs

    Demonstrates willingness to learn from community members as well by creating an environment for sharing individual experiences.

  • Developing:

    Sometimes asks questions to understand better and try hard to learn new things. Tries to find information in books and other places. Tries to explain ideas but sometimes finds it hard to be clear.

    Meets:

    Joins in learning activities and gets good at new ideas and skills by trying different ways of learning. Finds information in many places and asks good questions to understand better.

    Exceeds:

    Gets really good at learning new things, especially when teaching people who find learning hard. Finds a lot of information and asks great questions to understand deeply.

7.

Can negotiate and handle stressful situations in a constructive manner

  • Mediates conflict well by finding common ground and suggesting solutions that result in positive outcomes.

    Remains composed under pressure and can work toward de-escalation in tense situations

    Thoughtfully considers others perspectives and concerns. Asks clarifying questions and validates emotions.

    Centers collaboration and working together through challenges by asking for participant input

  • Developing

    Have the ability to address certain issues by offering assistance during conversations. It is important for individuals to actively listen to others, although they may not consistently prioritize understanding others' concerns. While they can demonstrate patience, it is not always consistent. Occasionally, they grasp others' emotions, but may struggle to remain composed when under stress. They strive to communicate effectively when they recognize the emotions of others, even if only to some extent.

    Meets

    Solves problems by managing them well. Looks for things everyone agrees on and gives ideas. Listens carefully, thinks about what others worry about, and changes how talking to fix things. Understands feelings, cares about others, and stays calm. Also changes talking to match feelings. Think about ways to calm things down and help when people are upset.

    Exceeds

    Helps to solve problems between people by thinking of fun ideas that make everyone smile. Listen carefully to understand what everyone is saying and feeling. Stays calm when talking about problems and changes speaking when needed. Shows kindness and patience when things are difficult. Went to school to learn how to help when friends are sad, calm things down when people argue, and fix problems before they begin.

8.

Creatively solves problems

  • Consistently comes up with unique and imaginative ideas when encountering challenges, showing an ability to think outside the box and exhibit creative problem-solving skills. (Innovative Idea Generation)

    Adjusts strategies with new information or changing circumstances. Easily changes approach when dealing with unexpected challenges or evolving needs, showing adaptability in solving complex problems while being open to new ideas and methods.

    Creative problem solvers combine ideas from different fields to create comprehensive solutions, identifying patterns and connections across diverse areas. This interdisciplinary approach empowers them to address complex challenges creatively and effectively. (Cross-Disciplinary Integration)

  • Developing:

    Sometimes asks questions to understand better and try hard to learn new things. Tries to find information in books and other places. Tries to explain ideas but sometimes finds it hard to be clear.

    Meets:

    Joins in learning activities and gets good at new ideas and skills by trying different ways of learning. Finds information in many places and asks good questions to understand better.

    Exceeds:

    Gets really good at learning new things, especially when teaching people who find learning hard. Finds a lot of information and asks great questions to understand deeply.

9.

Digitally literate and comfortable with technology

  • Skillfully uses various digital platforms, tools, and software.

    Can quickly adapt to new technologies quickly understanding how to use new software, apps, or devices, and efficiently include them in daily work.

    Identifies and wisely choose which digital resources or technologies that best serves the context or circumstances.

    Identifies and solves technology challenges on their own or in a team. This involves analyzing issues, diagnosing technical problems, and implementing effective solutions. These solutions can range from troubleshooting hardware or software issues to optimizing digital processes, ultimately improving the technology experience for oneself and others.

  • Developing:

    Uses basic tools on computers and phones with some help. Figure out how to use new things like phones, tablets, and computers if someone shows how. Tries to learn new tech skills but might need help if things don't work right. Starts to learn how tech can help with schoolwork but doesn't use it all the time yet.

    Meets:

    Always shows strong skills using different technology like computers, phones, and tablets. Learns new tech things quickly and uses them for schoolwork. Knows how to fix problems with tech or ask friends to help. Watch out for private info and scams online. Knows basic rules to stay safe using computers and phones.

    Exceeds:

    Skilled with Technology, Easily Using Apps, Websites, and Programs. Learns New Tech Things Quickly and Adds Them to Daily Work. Finds Solutions to Hard Tech Problems On Their Own. Improves Digital Things for Self and Others. Stays Safe Online and Knows a Lot About Security and Privacy When Using Computers and Devices.

10.

Knowledgeable about resources for funding, connectivity, technical help, devices, and digital literacy.

  • Conducts research to stay informed about the newest funding sources, connectivity options, devices, and digital literacy initiatives.

    Assesses the credibility and relevance of available resources by considering factors such as eligibility criteria, cost-effectiveness, and user feedback.

    Actively participates in local communities, organizations, and online forums to exchange information about funding, connectivity resources, devices, and digital literacy programs.

    Effectively communicates with community by responding to to inquiries, offering guidance, and connecting individuals to suitable resources.

  • Developing:

    Shows some skills at finding local and online resources for funding, internet access, devices, and learning about computers. Make a first try at doing research and deciding what is helpful, staying somewhat informed about what is available. Talks a little bit with groups, organizations, and online discussions to share information but may have trouble giving good advice.

    Meets:

    Finds and uses local and online resources to get funding, internet connections, tech help, devices, and learn digital skills. Is good at researching and checking things by staying up-to-date on what's available and knowing if websites and resources can be trusted. Likes to talk to communities, groups, and people online about accurate information and helping anyone looking for resources.

    Exceeds:

    Good at finding resources, like funding, the internet, devices, and learning about computers. They do a lot of research to stay informed about what options are available and figure out which resources are real and will help. Good at getting people in the community connected to resources by helping and guiding them in a nice way.

"Why Get Connected?"

The ConnectedMN team in collaboration with Next Day Animation and the Southwest Initiative Foundation, has co-created a fun new video illustrating the importance of being connected to the Internet. This video is perfect to share with organizations that support communities who have limited access to or are not yet using high-speed Internet. The video highlights how the internet is a pathway and tool to access everyday needs and more! Please take a minute and a half to watch and let us know what you think!

Additional Resources