FORT WAYNE — In December of 2025, the Purdue Allen County Extension Office began a new series of digital skills lessons for county residents. Led by extension educator Cheyanne Geideman, each class gives practical advice on specific tech topics.
Skills range from how to turn a computer on and off to understanding what makes a good email address, managing social media and using Zoom. “They’re open to … any adult who is looking to develop basic computer skills,” Geideman said.
Classes are offered at branches of the Allen County Public Library. They are also offered every other week on “Tech Tuesdays” at the Purdue Extension office. Registration is requested for both ACPL and Extension Office class participants. Specific class listings and a way to register are given on both the ACPL’s and County Extension Office’s events pages, https://acpl.libnet.info/events?term=tech and https://extension.purdue.edu/cdext/about-us/events/calendar.html.
Geidemann holds a bachelor of science in visual communications design and a master’s degree in international community development. She participated in the creation of Indiana’s Digital Equity Plan, which aimed to examine and address digital opportunities across the state.
“I knew I wanted to do something to help people,” Geideman explained. Her work now includes leading classes and connecting people with resources that help them become digitally fluent.
As an example, if workshop participants come to the smartphone class with both android and Apple phones, “That’s a great learning experience,” Geideman said. It allows her to demonstrate the differences between the two types of software.
“We want to build skills that are transferable,” she explained. “When your sister comes to you and says ‘I don’t know how to do this,’ you can say, ‘I know this must be in settings, so let’s go to settings’.”
Geideman noted that county extension programs in other states, like North Carolina, have what is called a “Mobile Computer Classroom,” which enables them to hold classes in places where the technology is not already built-in. Essentially, the mobile computer classroom consists of carrying cases that hold up to five laptops each. The instructor simply loads the cases into her car and drives to where people want to hold a class. This is something Geideman wants to do.
Geideman is covering 13 different digital topics now, and she hopes that list will grow. “I am not a technology expert — I am just another average person with the patience to help people learn to use technology in day-to-day life,” she said.
