Our digital future Monday, November 22, 2010 - 15:24

As Britain gears up to ‘race online by 2012' digital technologies will play an increasing role in people's lives and in learning. Our Digital Future which took place on Tuesday 23 November offered attendees the opportunity to consider and discuss:

• what digital skills are currently being delivered and how?
• how do we make sure no one misses out?
• what is the next generation of digital skills?
• how could they be delivered?

The event was fully booked within weeks of being advertised, but people who were unable to secure a place can join the debate online in a number of ways. They can follow NIACE on Twitter and use #digifuture for real time updates and to share their thoughts. People can also access NIACE's dedicated webpage - which will be live with all relevant information today - which will be updated throughout the event with links to speakers' presentations and filmed interviews.

A wide range of attendees will be contributing to the event, including representatives from government, community and voluntary organisations, local authorities, learning organisations, Transformation Fund projects and the private sector. Speakers will include:

• Alan Tuckett, Chief Executive, NIACE;
• Robin Blake, Head of Media Literacy, Ofcom;
• Richard Foggie, Assistant Director, Electronics Innovation;
• Genny Dixon, Programme Manager, e-skills UK;
• Helen Milner, Managing Director, UK online centres, UK Online;
• Nancy Johnston, Development Manager- Technology & Digital Inclusion, Age UK;
• Carrie Singleton, Paul Davies, University of Teeside - Digital villages;
• Ian Chowcat, Head of Learning Innovation, Sero Consulting;
• Emma Soloman, Director, Digital Unite;
• Duane Raymond, Managing Director, FairSay Ltd;
• Andria Birch, DAIN Project manager, DAIN;
• Alastair Clark, Senior Programme Director, Digital Learning Team, NIACE;
• Eta de Cicco, Programme Director, Digital Learning team, NIACE; and
• Patsy Quinn, Programme Director, Digital Learning team, NIACE.

Our Digital Future will provide attendees with:

• updated information on practice in relation to digital skills for adults, including deployment of volunteers;
• examples of practice in the development, support and delivery of digital skills;
• support for informal and formal learning practitioners in developing their own professional practice;
• a vision of how adults as learners can benefit most from the application of technology;
• a focus for contributions to their organisation's vision of how adults as learners can benefit most from the application of technology;
• support in the delivery of their programmes and the framing of strategic planning and funding applications.

Susan Easton, NIACE Project Officer, said:

"The real challenge for adult educators is to plan now for the new digital skills which adults will need to acquire during the next decade, as the pace of technological change is relentless. The Inquiry into the Future of Lifelong Learning reported last year that a Citizens Curriculum should be offered where adults can gain the digital capabilities to prepare for change, adapt to change and shape change. NIACE is keen to receive views on what is the next generation of digital skills and how they could be delivered."