Here’s the feedback on question 1 from the seminar:
Q1. What are the implications for adults seeking learning and work opportunities?
Negatives
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Adults seeking learning & work opportunities may not know what they don’t know: raising awareness is essential.
- Online recruitment to employment is becoming more customary so adults who lack IT skills will be disadvantaged.
- As job roles change, IT skills – not qualifications – are almost essential.
- E learning will continue to make learning more accessible to those with good IT skills but has the potential to increase the learning divide – by excluding those whose IT skills are weak.
- Many unemployed or economically inactive people will not have a PC at home. It is important to raise the profile and promote more heavily the availability of free IT access points.
- Some people, particularly in rural areas, may live some distance from access points and transport can be an issue. There is a need to link in community transport schemes and find other venues at a more local level.
- Some adults may be reluctant to go into a library to use the free facilities there – it is acknowledged however that some libraries are offering free one-to-one familiarisation sessions to help adults overcome their fear of using computers. More of this type of provision would be really useful.
- There is a need to show people the relevance of using new technologies e.g. on-line shopping, e mail, internet banking etc.
- Some people may lack confidence and therefore be unwilling to engage in learning or take the first step.
- There may be funding implications as there can be expensive fees incurred.
- Some people may feel intimidated (environment, lack of IT knowledge) or there may be a lack of encouragement.
- It would virtually be impossible for someone to have the IT skills required if they lack Essential Skills.
- Missing out on opportunities for progression.
- Might feel there is no point even trying as they have “missed the boat” as far as technology is concerned.
- What about those who aren’t actively seeking work or willing to engage in learning – some people don’t want to learn about IT – how do you involve them?
- What sort of “hooks” can be used – need to see relevance to their lives/interests?
- Many adults are a long way from being media literate and motivation will be key in addressing this.
- There is a lack of opportunity and flexibility within learning and work for any adult who is not media literate.
- Options for accessing learning and work will be limited.
- Initial training from employers may be valuable but needs to be sustained.
- Fear of stigma and lack of media confidence may inhibit work / learning performance.
Positives
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There is a huge opportunity for everyone to benefit from the new technologies but we need to capitalize on the opportunities and make them accessible to everyone to prevent further exclusion.
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Media literacy opens lines of communication and gives the disabled or housebound the ability to shop online and even opens employment opportunities where people can work from home.
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It can provide a more economic form of learning for those with little or no income.
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Media literacy gives independence and empowerment.
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