Public want services online

A recent report states that the public want public serivces online in five years.

Most are fed up having to queue, make trips or wait for hours on the phone with 84% saying it would save them time and 60% believing that they would have easier access to essential services if they were moved online.

Surprising 43% had not heard about the Digital Britain report.  The expectation is this will lead to more efficient access to these services.

Full story can be found on the Guardian Public website.

Digital Life Skills

The Digital Britain report took into account another review published at the same time by Baroness Estelle Morris,  entitled ‘Independent Review of ICT User Skills‘, which proposes an ‘entitlement’ to digital life skills and calls for basic computing skills training (in England) as well as a focused strategy to address the gaps.

The term ‘Digital Life Skills’ is used to identify the set of basic ICT skills that an adult needs to safely access and communicate information online.

digital skills have an impact on an adult’s equality of access to information and services, employability, social inclusion, engagement in further learning, and on wider business productivity.

(Executive Summary)

Baroness Estelle Morris stated:

The importance of ICT skills to the economy and in employment is well known; the role it plays in access to information and services, leisure, health and social networking for all ages is perhaps less well understood. We expect the young to have these skills yet we tolerate those who are older never having the same opportunity. If we are to reduce social exclusion in society we must close the gap between the ICT-haves and have-nots.

To enable this ‘entitlement’ the review proposes:

1. a social marketing campaign, driven through the Government’s Digital Britain
   strategy, to highlight the benefits of getting online.
2. a single helpline and website with online learning modules, with links to a range
   of free resources, provided by broadcasters and other commercial suppliers.
3. access to a diverse range of entitlement providers to receive support to learn the
   basic skills they need to get online.

Although itis an English focused review, it none the less highlights the gap in computing skills and therefore media literacy that is prevalent within many sectors of our society.  A positive step forward.

Digital Britain – The Final Report

Tuesday saw the publication of the Digital Britain report which outlines the actions needed to remain competitive and inclusive in a digital future.

The foreword notes:

It offers a strategic view of the sector, backed by a programme of action:

• to complement and assist the private sector in delivering the effective modern communications infrastructure we need, built on new digital technologies;
• to enable Britain to be a global centre for the creative industries in the digital age, delivering an ever wider range of quality content, including public service content, within a clear and fair legal framework;
• to ensure that people have the capabilities and skills to flourish in the digital economy, and that all can participate in digital society; and
• for government to continue to modernise and improve its service to the taxpayer through digital procurement and the digital delivery of public services.

The third point is encouraging for the promotion of media literacy amongst those who still have to fully embrace the new digital world.  Chapter 6 titled “Research, Education and Skills for Digital Britain” expands further on this point and references the issue of “basic ICT skills”.

The Prime Minister said:

Digital Britain is about giving the country the tools to succeed and lead the way in the economy of the future.
…
Investing in areas such as broadband access for every home and business and the move from analogue to digital technology will bring benefits across the board, driving growth, enabling businesses to thrive, and providing new opportunities and choices for households right across the country. It is an essential part of building Britain’s future.

I’ve listed a range of articles and posts commenting on the new report – all with their own different viewpoints:

• Building Britain’s Digital Future (press release, DCMS)
• Gordon says broadband should run like water (Digital Unite)
• Digital Britain report set to push broadband for all by 2012 (Guardian)
• Tax to pay for fast net access (BBC News)
• Final report published! (Digital Britain Forum)
• Government publishes Digital Britain report (Personal Computer World)
• Government plans digital switchover for services (Kable)
• White paper recommends ‘G Cloud’ for government IT (Kable)

Please post any other relevant links or comments you may have.

Media Literacy in Europe

Found a few useful links recently on media literacy in Europe, feel free to submit others:

• Audiovisual and Media Policies – Media Literacy
• EuroMediaLiteracy

The Groundswell enabled by Social Media and Web 2.0

I stumbled upon a blog post today by Gareth Murran of ThirdForce titled: Groundswell in an e-learning 2.0 world.

In his post Gareth is referring to a book he has just finished reading:

Groundswell: Winning in a World Transformed by Social Technologies (Hardcover) by Charlene Li (Author), Josh Bernoff (Author)

The book focuses on how people are using new technologies to help them get the things they need and how businesses should take note when they operate in these more socially collaborative environments.

Clearly this is the impact and influence of the digitally included; those who are media literate and think nothing of searching Google for reviews on products and services to find the best price and/or quality/specification before they make their purchase.  It is now much easier and quicker for this group to become better informed and discerning consumers than it is for those who are not part of the digital revolution.

Surely this is just another reason to promote digital inclusion and media literacy within our society so all can realise the benefits.

If you have an interest in social media and web 2.0 technologies and wish to dig deeper this book seems to be a promising read.  I for one have placed an order on Amazon so may post a review in the future.

A Beginner’s Guide to the Internet

myguide is a website that offers an easy and clear introduction to the internet for absolute beginners.

It provides free email, internet search and basic IT courses.  It is also possible to personalise your experience by saving settings such as colour scheme, text size and screen resolution – a very useful feature.

The ‘Welcome courses’ require no registration and will provide a great way for many learners to address any online fears, particularly the ‘Feeling fine online’ course which includes video feedback from learners.  Courses within the other categories of ’First & Next steps’ and ‘Moving on’ do require registration but after the ‘Welcome courses’ this should not be a problem.

This is a very useful starter tool for those who wish to embrace the benefits of the internet and join the digital revolution.  Visit AbilityNet to read more about this website.

myguide appears to be English based so if you’re looking for any local basic IT courses in Northern Ireland try the free EGSA course search or telephone one of our helpful advisers on 0845 602 6632.

Media Literacy amongst Parents

With the internet playing an increasing role in everyone’s lives, especially those of children, it is important that parents have and maintain a level of media literacy.

As you would protect your child in the real world, you will want to make sure that they are safe whatever they are doing. Like learning to cross the road, online safety skills are skills for life.

Thinkuknow.co.uk have a section which helps educate parents on how they can protect their children online.

Read more on Thinkuknow Parents Section

YouTube: What Is It Good For?

Well, apparently, delivering babies!

The guardian.co.uk reports how a father delivered his baby son after watching DIY baby delivery video clips on YouTube.  So being media literate came in very useful.

The father is also reported to have learnt how to play the guitar and solve the Rubik’s Cube from watching YouTube videos.

There’s obviously more to YouTube than watching pets do funny things!

The Cost of Media Literacy

This week BBC Newsline are running a feature on the cost of technology entitled ‘The cost of keeping in touch’. 

Part one interviews a family who have the usual technology in place: broadband, computers and mobiles.  The family have clearly realised the benefits it brings to their household as both a source of information for learning and work and as a means of communication.

The family, like many others, are on the media literacy road but  also have to demonstrate financial literacy to stay on that road.

Part two features two girls who gave up their mobiles for the weekend.  This resulted in less communication with friends and family and a realisation of the potential for social exclusion, as a consequence of digital exclusion.

Technology is embedding quickly into our lives and social structures as the Digital Britain interim report 09 notes:

Digital technology has led to a quiet revolution over the past decade in our lives at work, at home and at leisure.

Those unable to participate because of financial or media literacy reasons may find themselves increasingly socially excluded from many activities within this quiet revolution.

[Other parts of this series will be included as they are broadcast]

Technology is at the core of media literacy in terms of the ability to access, analyse and evaluate the content we distribute through traditional and new media.  Like most other activities there is a cost, as well as benefits, to using technology and being media literate.  To manage that cost, especially in todays economic climate, often requires another form of literacy – financial.

• Money Made Clear – Financial Services Authority (FSA)
• BBC RAW – Money

GMTV and NIACE helping people over 50 get online

“One in three people over 50 don’t use the internet, putting them at greater risk of social, financial and political exclusion”

NIACE and GMTV have partnered to encourage those over 50 to improve their computer skills and access the internet.  In an article by NIACE titled Help people over 50 get online, Dr. Hilary Jones shares his fears on using a computer though he can see the benefits and wishes to learn.

In their article NIACE outlines five steps to getting online:

1. Talk to someone you trust who can help
2. Join a beginners’ adult education class
3. Visit the Digital Unite Learning Zone for step to step tutorials
4. Visit your local UK online centre (not available in NI)
5. Just have a go!

For those of you resident in Northern Ireland and who have friends who may benefit by getting online, we (EGSA) can also help.  Just visit our EGSA course search and click on the Basic IT popular search link to find classes in your area.  If you would prefer to phone us, try our Learners’ Line on 0845 602 6632.

You could also pass on the free Internet Made Easy CD to friends and family, who already have a PC at home.  You can use the disk to learn more about:

• E-mailling family
• Booking cheap flights
• Saving time shopping
• Finding a computer course
• Banking safely and more…

If you would like a copy,  call us on 0845 602 6632 (conditions may apply).