Digital Britain - education programme needed Friday, January 30, 2009 - 15:49

A widespread programme of public education must be integral to any future initiatives for a Digital Britain, otherwise people will continue to be marginalised, says NIACE (the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education), in response to Lord Carter's interim report, Digital Britain , published on Thursday 29th January 2009.

NIACE is particularly pleased with the Government's plans for a long-term and sustainable second public service broadcasting organisation. However the opportunity should not be missed to ensure that this body has a clear remit to promote lifelong learning and offer educational content for adults in ways that can be integrated with online and face to face learning activities.

If this vision for a digital Britain is to be available to all our citizens, the strategy must be backed up with a comprehensive plan for a properly funded digital skills training programme for adults.

Alastair Clark, NIACE Senior Development Officer for ICT & Learning

The report's chapter on Equipping Everyone to Benefit from Digital Britain recognises rightly the importance of digital skills in the workforce, as well as in families and communities.

However, the strong emphasis on young people in the Equipping Everyone... section does not reflect adequately the importance of these skills to adults - something which NIACE hopes will be addressed in the final report.

The commitment to a National Media Literacy Plan is welcomed and in developing a new definition of media literacy NIACE urges that this takes account of the needs of adults in the 21st century.

This plan should ensure adults not only have access to but can develop the ability to judge content from a huge variety of sources and acquire the skills for content creation and for improved democratic engagement.

Alastair Clark, NIACE Senior Development Officer for ICT & Learning, said:

"If this vision for a digital Britain is to be available to all our citizens, the strategy must be backed up with a comprehensive plan for a properly funded digital skills training programme for adults."

"This must be flexible enough to adapt to the specific needs of the most socially and educationally excluded adults. It must also respond to the rapid changes in technology which we will witness."

He continued, "Of the 22 actions set out in the interim report there is strong emphasis on setting the technical and market framework for the future. This is, of course, important and we do welcome the commitment to a universal service commitment to make broadband available to all by 2012."

"However, as ‘superfast broadband' becomes available to carry high quality content there is a danger of a new digital divide as this becomes available to those who can afford it in urban areas."

Rachel Thomson, NIACE Senior Campaigns Officer, said:

"Our research shows a definite link between those on the wrong side of the digital divide and those on the wrong side of the learning divide.

"Opening access to all adults in all communities is crucial if we are to achieve a nation of engaged and active citizens able to participate and communicate effectively in the 21st century."

"We welcome this interim paper and will continue to be active partners to help adults learn about new technologies, through new technologies and to become increasingly media literate."

NIACE is holding a conference - Informal Adult Learning - Making the Connections - joining-up digital learning opportunities - in Birmingham on 27 February 2009.