Maryland Statewide MONET Digital Navigation Training Cohort
Marylanders Online, in partnership with the Baltimore Digital Equity Coalition (BDEC), is offering two hybrid MONET training cohorts with the goal of training 200 digital navigators across the state. Marylanders Online Navigator Education Toolkit (MONET) is a comprehensive digital navigation train-the-trainer course developed by the University of Maryland Extension (UME) Marylanders Online program in partnership with the University of Maryland College of Information (INFO). The MONET curriculum comprises 12 modules and a scalable framework that empowers digital skill educators and public-serving agencies with the skills necessary to bridge the digital divide in their communities. Learn more about MONET.
The Statewide MONET Cohort is an accelerated, hybrid program that runs from September 15 to October 24, 2025. This program includes self-paced online modules and optional virtual office hours. It will be held in conjunction with the 2025 Maryland Digital Opportunity Summit. Participants must attend the Summit on October 15th and the accompanying in-person session on October 16th in the Ellsworth room at the Silver Spring Civic Center.
The Statewide MONET Cohort can accommodate up to 100 participants. Upon completing the program, participants will receive a certificate of completion from the University of Maryland Extension, which will enable them to showcase their credentials on résumés, CVs, and LinkedIn profiles and open doors to employment opportunities.
Training and certification cost is included with the purchase of a Summit ticket.
Early Bird Registration Ends August 31st - $40
September 1st - October 8th - $65
October 15th - $75
Click here to register for the 2025 Summit & Statewide MONET Cohort
Click here to learn more about the Baltimore MONET Cohort (August 18 - November 22, 2025)
Required Statewide MONET Training Cohort Schedule
September 15 - October 15
All 12 MONET modules will be available via Open Learning on this date. You will receive an enrollment invitation with instructions on how to access the platform.
- September 15: Modules 1, 6, 8, 9
- September 19 (after Office Hour): Modules 2, 4, 5
- October 3 (after Office Hour): Modules 3, 7, 10
- October 10–16 (Post-Survey Week): Modules 11, 12
Calendar invites and Zoom links for all virtual office hours will be sent directly to registered participants.
September 19: Virtual Office Hour (Optional) | 10 AM - 11 AM
October 3: Virtual Office Hour (Optional) | 10 AM - 11 AM
October 15: In-Person Participation at the 2025 Digital Opportunity Summit (Required)
Location: Silver Spring Civic Building, 1 Veterans Pl, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Time: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
This summit is required to ensure participants receive the full amount of guided teaching time and to foster a strong statewide network of shared support and resources among digital navigators.
October 16: In-Person MONET Intensive Workshop (Required)
Location: Silver Spring Civic Center - Ellsworth Room
Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
This full-day workshop includes all the in-person training, with lunch provided and hands-on practice activities to apply what you’ve learned. Together with the October 15 Summit, it makes up the complete required in-person portion of the program.
October 24: Virtual Office Hour (Optional) | 10 AM - 11 AM
All coursework is due by October 24, 2025.
Participation Requirements
To earn your Certificate of Completion, you must:
- Complete all 12 asynchronous MONET modules
- Attend all required in-person sessions
- Submit both the pre- and post-training surveys
Note: The October 15 Summit and the October 16 Workshop together make up the complete required in-person portion of the program.
For continuity with the cohort, all attendees are expected to attend all sessions. If you are unable to participate in any of the in-person sessions due to extenuating circumstances, please contact instructor Lo Smith at your earliest convenience to make arrangements.
About the Trainer
Lo Smith (they/them) serves as the Executive Director of the Baltimore Digital Equity Coalition, where they lead efforts to connect community members and organizations, striving for a shared vision of low-cost, high-speed internet access, digital skills education, and access to appropriate digital devices for all Baltimoreans.
Lo has trained over 1,000 digital navigators nationally and worked with countless more programs to develop and design community-based digital navigator roles. Before joining BDEC, they were a Faculty Librarian at the University of Baltimore, a Senior Programs Manager at the National Digital Inclusion Alliance, and the inaugural Coordinator of Digital Equity at the Enoch Pratt Free Library.
Outside of their work in digital equity, Lo can be found volunteering, gardening, teaching yoga or partner acrobatics classes, and practicing their teamwork and communication skills on the roller derby track.
Accessibility & Equal Opportunity
University programs, activities, and facilities are available to all without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, national origin, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, religion, protected veteran status, genetic information, personal appearance, or any other legally protected class. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event, please contact marylandersonline@umd.edu at least two weeks before the training.