The Digital Villages Research Network

The Digital Inclusion Task Force headed by Martha LanE Fox, today released thier Manifesto for a Networked Nation. Some interesting points…..but an awful front cover!!

The document can be found here http://raceonline2012.org/manifesto

Well done to Lynne and Steve on getting superb results for the UCPD modules they took earlier this year. Both are “A” Grade students in Desktop Publishing and Digital Imaging respectively. Both have also submitted their next modules so are well on the way to a full UCPD.

Really well done, a great achievement.

Results are on your e-vision emails for anyone else who is expecting results.

Interesting news item on a possible solution to rural broadband issues. Not an option for all but interesting nevertheless.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8619114.stm

Best wishes for Easter everyone, have a lovely break and lets hope we have a little sunshine too.

Good session on Friday I thought. Some really interesting information presented and pretty thought provoking. Its interesting to see what others in the area perceive as important in regard to ICT as well as more detailed feedback on areas that would have an impact on the use, maintenance and worth of a Digital Village.

The conference last week committed to establishing a list of 20 promises to help and promote digital inclusion. Some good ideas came out along with some that I think are less realistic.

The full list can be seen here;

http://www.eventsforce.net/civic/frontend/reg/tOtherPage.csp?pageID=9603&eventID=27&popup=1&eventID=27

There was a brief article in the free press in London which is distributed to all tube stations and larger bus depots. It can be viewed here;

http://www.metro.co.uk/tech/816887-martha-lane-fox-i-owe-my-life-to-the-web

More on the conference in general is on its webpages,

www.nationaldigitalinclusionconference.co.uk

Well after meetings yesterday afternoon with BIS (Business Information and Skills), and another with Michelle Lofthouse of Becta this morning were on our way home.

Ready for the weekend!!!!

Michelle had some interesting thoughts on ICT learning and the skills people need to make ICT work for them. She has a dual role, being also a consultant on education for Flip Consulting who are doing work of the Department for Eduaction, UK Online and the LSC on a wide range of issues. Key to them are;

1. What is termed ‘the offer’ ie what constitutes a minimum of ICT skills in a similar way that happened with literacy and numeracy skills in the late 90’s early 00’s

2. Access for all should be seen as key goal

3. More long term funding and more sustainable funding to allow centres other than LSC / JCP and the FE sector, to keep thier doors open. (i loved that one as you may expect)

She is on a working party that is informing Government, but like a lot of things the Election is proving a distraction. Ive offered to keep Michelle up to speed with our DVN findings.

Now where is that train…….

Well nearly there, a few more coffees then off to the final session.

Its been good, hectic but good. Sue has done her piece on the DVN to her group this afternoon and it sounds like were going to have a few visitors over the next few days.

Follow up meetings with UK Online and BIS have been sorted for dissemination and some PR from UK Online is also on the cards which should fit in nicely with phase 3 and 4 activity.

Bye for now!

Well if all has gone to plan the last sessions will result iin no less than 20 promises that will be yaken forward to Government and the Digital Taskforce which all here think will help digital Inclusion. No doubt by the end of the day these will end up on the confernece site.