The BBC have a strong showing in March with BBC Radio 2 running a media literacy campaign throughout the month and BBC2’s Working Lunch having a ‘digital inclusion week’.
Digital Unite and NIACE have announced a new digital inclusion programme, ‘Get Digital’. The focus will be on digital literacy skills for older residents in sheltered housing.
Northern Ireland – Ofcom Media Literacy Workshop
Ofcom will hold a Media Literacy workshop entitled: ‘Digital Content: One man’s journey of exploration’ on Thursday 11 February.
National Digital Inclusion Conference: Digital Participation – 11 and 12 March
The conference will bring together digital inclusion players, providers, policy makers and practitioners to share best practice, make connections and practical pledges to make digital inclusion happen. The line-up of speakers looks really good with the following to confirm: Martha Lane Fox, Tim Berners Lee, Stephen Timms MP and the Obama administration.
Games Based Learning Conference – 29 and 30 March
This again looks like another very good confernce. It’s aimed at those interested in the positive impact that video games, social media and augmented reality technology are having on learning. Having seen a demo of serious game technology in relation to healthcare at a recent conference in the University of Ulster I feel this presents an exciting advancement in learning and skills development.
The full January Media Literacy ebulletin can be accessed on the Ofcom website.
Race Online 2012 is a national campaign to challenge and support the British government, the private sector, the media, charities, grassroots organisations and members of the British general public to accelerate all their efforts to overcome Britain’s digital divide.
We believe technology can make life easier for everyone, but particularly for those who are struggling to make ends meet, trying to find work or wanting to up their skills. While for those who might particularly need friends or professional support when struggling with a health problem or life crisis, it can be a real lifeline.
Plenty of organisations and individuals share our enthusiasm – there are countless projects up and down the country that are already hard at work helping Britain’s least privileged groups take their first steps online.
Here are a few examples:
Computer give-away scheme to begin – Disadvantaged people will benefit from a council scheme to make used computers available to local residents, instead of disposing of them.
Home Access ‘went like rocket’ – 270,000 homes next – More than 270,000 households could receive a free computer and broadband internet connection as a result of a new scheme to be formally announced at the BETT 2010 educational technology show in London in January.
A good project example is the Digital Activist Inclusion Network (DAIN) – an exciting volunteer project working across the East Midlands. DAIN aims to promote digital inclusion by encouraging people to use technology with the help of volunteers (Digital Activists). Funded by the European Social Fund.
If you know of other activities and projects supporting this objective please share within the comments.
As part of BT’s commitment to invest in the community they have launched the BT Internet Rangers award. This is targeted at young people, up to the age of 16, who help others get online.
There are two awards:
Internet Ranger of the Year – the winner will receive an HP Laptop plus £250 worth of IT vouchers. There will be a winner from each region and an overall national winner.
In the recent publication of ‘Update’ by the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS), there is an interesting article on how Becta is helping to address the issues raised in the Digital Britain report and the Independent Review of ICT User Skills.
Digital Britain identifies four barriers to embracing digital technologies:
availability
affordability
capability
relevance
In addition to their role as the government agency that helps schools, colleges and training providers use technology more effectively, they are also rolling out the national Home Access Programme. This programme will bring computers and connectivity to low-income households around the UK.
We see an opportunity here not just to support young people to use technology to benefit their learning, but to provide access for their parents who can use technology to improve their skills, whether it’s basic IT, a specific work skill, or leisure learning. Following the publication of The Learning Revolution White Paper earlier this year, we are also working with government and key national partners on plans to improve access to informal learning opportunities through technology and digital media.
As part of Get Safe Online week, Ofcom has today published a video setting out steps consumers can take and things they should look out for when shopping online this Christmas.
If you know of other similar resources please feel free to share.
16-20 November 2009
This year’s Anti-Bullying Week campaign is ‘Stay safe in cyberspace’. The focus on cyberbullying is reflected in the resource pack sent to schools in England and the pack of resources for FE colleges.
This year Get Safe Online Week is from the 16th to 20th November. It kicks off with a summit on the 16th:
The Summit is aimed at representatives from organisations and businesses that want to champion the safe and confident use of the internet for their customers and audiences.
Attending the Summit will:
Update you on the Get Safe Online initiative
Provide an insight into the key internet security issues and threats facing the UK
Launch the results of new research commissioned by GetSafeOnline.org
Feature speakers from government, law enforcement and industry
Give you the opportunity to put questions to our expert panel
