Gold LEAF Institute Course Catalogue

Hybrid

Do you feel overwhelmed by social media posts, online news, and digital media? Do you feel distracted, scattered, or irritable after scrolling on your phone? Welcome to the Attention Economy - a digital commerce initiative paid for with your focus, time, and attention. Let’s explore how social media companies, digital marketing, and even news media outlets have hijacked your mind and created reflexive behavior to keep you connected, enraged, and engaged.

Part One will provide an overview of psychological, visual, and social tactics that have been implemented to continually increase smart device use and boost company revenue. From social media apps, online shopping, and news outlet comment sections, we will explore the methods used to keep you clicking, tapping, scrolling, and engaging.

Part Two will explore resistance to engagement tactics and attention hacking. We will review various habits and alternatives to endless scrolling and learn how to develop a more cohesive and healthy relationship with technology and digital media.

These presentations will be a combination of lecture and group discussion. Participants are encouraged to come with questions and an eagerness to engage in conversation and education.

Dates: Part 1, June 12, 2026; Part 2, June 26, 2026

Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Location: TBD

Tyler Provencher is the Program Coordinator for Greater Franklin Digital Literacy - a free community tech support program across Franklin County. Tyler's background includes a Bachelor's Degree in Anthropology from the University of Maine at Farmington. He has hands-on experience with smartphones, laptops, tablets, and desktop computers, as well as participation in virtual software and hardware events and conferences.

Through his work at Greater Franklin Digital Literacy, Tyler aims to provide practical, actionable, and rational technology education to the broader Franklin County community.