Lifelong learning, broadcasting and digital technologies Wednesday, May 16, 2012 - 17:25

An 'invitation only' seminar exploring the rapidly-changing digital landscape and how it affects learning opportunities for adults was held by NIACE on 10 May, in the presence of its Royal Patron, HRH The Princess Royal.

Alastair Thomson, NIACE Principal Advocacy and Policy Officer, said:

"Advances in technology mean that tablet and handheld devices can now help adults access audio, video and text content from broadcasters, educational content providers and social media at any time of the day or night. This development opens up new opportunities for people to learn, formally as well as informally, but poses big challenges for teachers, educational institutions and the publishing and media industries. It is these opportunities and challenges that our seminar helped to address."

The seminar - sponsored by CFE consultants and the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business which hosted the event at its London campus - was chaired by Tom Schuller, Director of Longview and author of the influential Learning Through Life. Key speakers included Andy Palmer Director of Education and Skills at BT, and Professor Keri Facer of the University of Bristol.

A wide range of participants attended the seminar, including broadcasters, academics, technology specialists, educational content providers and representatives of students and viewer/listener groups.

Those who would like to contribute to future development and analysis around these topics are invited to contact alastair.thomson@niace.org.uk.