UK Online Branded centres Initiative
Project Status : Completed
Lack of access to information technology become an increasingly significant barrier to social inclusion. We were fast moving towards a knowledge economy but there was a danger that as technology is further integrated into everyday life the economic and skills divide will broaden, and those who could most benefit from the information available will be the least able to access it.
NIACE have long advocated a bridging of the digital divide, and statistics suggest that there was an ever more pressing need to equip all individuals with tools requires to become an active citizen within today’s society.
UK online was a cross-sectoral standard for existing learning centres strongly supporting both the concept of e-citizenship and e-democracy. This campaign aimed to give people the opportunity to gain hands on experience of using the Internet, email and other technologies whilst providing a positive initial experience for those who are new to ICT. The initiative spanned four sectors, all of which have a designated sponsor;
 | Private (E skills NTO) |
| Libraries and Museums (Libraries) |
| Schools and HE institutions (BECTA); and |
| Voluntary, Community and LEA’s (NIACE) |
Branded centres benefit from:
| The national marketing and communications campaign that raised the profile of UK online branded programmes and services. This campaign is supported by a National help-line that forwards learners on to centres in their area that best meet their individual needs. |
| UK online promotional materials, which are available as soon as the centre is officially branded. |
| An online resource and an active mail-group, to help the centre identify content and materials in order to better support their learners. The site also includes information about National developments and further funding opportunities in addition to related initiatives and promotions. |
Branded centres do not received funding
We deal ONLY with branded centres. Branded centres are existing ICT centres that have applied to us for UK online status.
Funded centres were awarded money through the Capital Modernisation Fund (CMF), which has now come to an end. This money (as the name suggests) was to fund capital costs only for the development of potential centres. Both types of centres essentially meet the same criteria.
UK Online Brand Criteria
Access
| Supports the Government’s strategy for e-Government by helping people
learn how to use ICTs to:
|
Delivery
| Provides learner support from skilled workers. | ||||||||
| Gives people the opportunity to gain hands on experience of using the Internet, email and other technologies. | ||||||||
| Provides support for those with particular needs in the locality, such as:
| ||||||||
| Demonstrates clear links to other local ICT provision such as learndirect centres, schools, colleges, museums, libraries and IT for All centres as appropriate. | ||||||||
| Provides signposts to provision which best meets users needs. | ||||||||
| Complies with legislation on health and safety, equal opportunities (fulfilling requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act and Human Rights Act), public liability insurance, environmental standards, and any other legislation relating to your centre/s. |
Equipment and Internet Access
| Offers one or more of a range of Internet access routes such as games consoles; mobile phones; Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) and pagers; Digital TVs and cameras. |
| Meets or exceeds the minimum connectivity requirements for a learndirect centre or access point, or defined standards for the National Grid for Learning (NGfL) managed service to provide a good experience for people who are new to ICTs. The table overleaf provides information on NGfL minimum connectivity requirements and minimum connectivity requirements for UK online centres. |
| Selects appropriate software to meet the needs of the target client groups drawing on a range of provision, including learndirect, NGfl, CGfL, colleges and libraries endorsed products where they are appropriate to client groups. |
| Provides technical support and maintenance of the centre’s technical infrastructure. |
Minimum connectivity requirements for UK online centres
Please note that your centre needs to provide internet access to either specification standard a or specification standard b.
| Number of Internet users at the same time | Internet connection requirements |
| 1 machine | Dial up over normal phone line |
| 2 machines | Dial up OK sharing normal phone line although performance could be slow |
| 3-6 machines | ISDN2 line, 2 lines at 64K provides 128K in total |
| 7-9 machines | ISDN6 line, 374K |
| 9-14 machines | 256 Lease Line per annum unlimited access |
| 15-20 machines | 512 Lease Line per annum unlimited access |
| 20-40 machines | 1 megabits Lease Line per annum |
| 40-60 machines | 2 megabits Lease Line per annum |
| 60-80 machines | 2 megabits Lease Line per annum |
| 100-200 machines | 3-4 megabits Lease Line per annum |
This is also a minimum connectivity requirement for a learndirect access point or centre. Your centre may wish to install a higher connection specification to provide higher quality and performance and greater flexibility for future growth.
b. NGfL minimum connectivity requirements
NGfLManaged Services Internet access is based on at least 128kbps ISDN2.
For further information on NGfL standards and the NGfL managed service visit the NGfL managed services website on www.managedservices.ngfl.gov.uk .
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Page last updated 29 May 2008
