YOUNGSTOWN — Linda Jennings is accustomed to performing many computer-related functions on an iPhone, but she is excited at the prospect of seeing and dealing with slices of digital life on a much bigger screen.

“I can’t wait to try to do things on my own,” Jennings, of Youngstown, said.

Suffice it to say that task will be far easier, courtesy of a free refurbished laptop she received during a graduation celebration Wednesday afternoon at Oak Hill Collaborative, 507 Oak Hill Ave., on the South Side.

Jennings was among about 50 graduates who took home such devices after they had successfully completed eight recent computer literacy classes that OHC offered.

AT&T and Human I-T provided the 50 computers to the residents who completed OHC’s Hardware 4 Homes program.

Jennings, for whom this is her first laptop, expressed excitement about being able to more practically send emails, conduct online orders and perform research via Google and other search engines. During the coursework, she also became more familiar with Canvas, a web-based learning management system that many educational systems use to deliver and manage online courses. Applications include posting coursework, grading work and communicating with students.

The new addition also may factor into her efforts to find a new job, said Jennings, who worked about 30 years for the Mahoning County Board of Developmental Disabilities, as well as at a doctor’s office.

“All of the jobs are online now,” she said.

Also happy to add a laptop to her life was Panzy Bozanich of Boardman, who retired from a 31-year career with the Adult Parole Authority as a parole officer.

“I’ve had iPads, but this is actually my first laptop” at home, Bozanich said.

In the eight classes, she learned — or became increasingly knowledgeable of — programs such as Microsoft Excel, which is a spreadsheet application for organizing, visualizing and analyzing data and information in columns and rows, as well as Milanote, an online, visual and collaboration tool that allows creative professionals to organize ideas, notes and projects on flexible “boards.”

In addition, her new device will make it easier for Bozanich to handle documents for herself and others, along with conducting online banking on a larger, more easily visible screen, she said.

Becoming skilled at accessing the internet requires three pillars: broadband infrastructure, especially in many rural areas; affordable devices, which can be cumbersome for many; and overall computer knowledge, Patrick V. Kerrigan, Oak Hill Collaborative’s executive director, noted.

Classes that OHC offer take on added importance, partly because billions of dollars are spent on infrastructure, but not enough money goes toward the other two components, Kerrigan said.

The classes also are an ongoing effort to tackle the digital divide, which commonly refers to the disparities between those individuals and households who have effective access to and use of digital technologies and others who do not.

Last year, OHC conducted 550 such free classes and distributed about 500

laptops, Kerrigan said, adding that future computer literacy class curriculums will adapt to changes and advances in technology, including artificial intelligence.

Tony Costanzo, AT&T’s director of external and legislative affairs, noted that nearly every major aspect of ordinary life — paying monthly bills, applying for jobs and seeking tele-health and help — are internet-based. Classes such as those OHC provided during the past several weeks will help the students better learn and work with advancements in technology, Costanzo said, adding that his company has invested about $2 billion in its wireless networks and related infrastructure.

“We wanted to be sure they didn’t leave here empty-handed,” he said, referring to the grads.