I have researched the local community WLANs mentioned at www.wlan.org.uk:
These projects are mainly located in towns and cities where there are a number of people who wish to have internet access free or at a cost, or there is not a quality internet access. There are located over the world, mainly within the UK.
These projects have been created because there is not a good quality internet in the area i.e. Broadband, people want to share internet access with friends and neighbours, wish to provide free internet access, or provide access at a cost price.
These projects serve the local community, or people who visit the area, for example using laptops on the beach at Brighton and local businesses.
These projects have had an impact on the digital divide because they provide people with internet access who have a computer and have not thought of connecting to the internet, or has made people purchase a computer so that they can take advantage of the facilities.
Showing posts with label Bridging the Gap. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bridging the Gap. Show all posts
Thursday, 30 October 2008
ICT at my Library
The Gosport Discovery Centre
Community Use:
There are 40 People's Network computers for high speed access to the internet. It is safe and secure. You can send email and use software to make your own documents, presentations, spreadsheets and pictures. It's free to use.
You can choose a quick use computer for 30 minutes or a bookable computer for longer. We also have a colour laser printer and scanners which will enable you to print good quality images. Each computer also has software to help people with a visual or a hearing impairment.
You don't need to book, however to guarantee a session it is best to do so. You can book in person using one of the machines or by phone - tel 023 92523431 quoting your borrower number. You will need a library borrower card to make a booking.
Start using the InternetBeginners sessions are held monthly. Please telephone to book.
Reference Library Online We have free access to the latest and most up to date information available. All you need is your library card number.
ICT is used in the library for book issuing, this is because it is a quick and efficient method as all data is collected and collated by the computer is held in the database. They are able to see who has what books and when they are due back, they can see if a book is in stock and whereabouts it is located, they are also able to get books from other libraries for a small cost if you are an adult, which can be useful as it enables them to read and use books from other libraries within Hampshire and not just at your small local library. If the library did not use the computer it would not be as easy and would be more difficult. Also, the staff need limited IT skills to use the system, which is an advantage because not all have high level of IT competence, and some had never used a computer before.
Community Use:
There are 40 People's Network computers for high speed access to the internet. It is safe and secure. You can send email and use software to make your own documents, presentations, spreadsheets and pictures. It's free to use.
You can choose a quick use computer for 30 minutes or a bookable computer for longer. We also have a colour laser printer and scanners which will enable you to print good quality images. Each computer also has software to help people with a visual or a hearing impairment.
You don't need to book, however to guarantee a session it is best to do so. You can book in person using one of the machines or by phone - tel 023 92523431 quoting your borrower number. You will need a library borrower card to make a booking.
Start using the InternetBeginners sessions are held monthly. Please telephone to book.
Reference Library Online We have free access to the latest and most up to date information available. All you need is your library card number.
ICT is used in the library for book issuing, this is because it is a quick and efficient method as all data is collected and collated by the computer is held in the database. They are able to see who has what books and when they are due back, they can see if a book is in stock and whereabouts it is located, they are also able to get books from other libraries for a small cost if you are an adult, which can be useful as it enables them to read and use books from other libraries within Hampshire and not just at your small local library. If the library did not use the computer it would not be as easy and would be more difficult. Also, the staff need limited IT skills to use the system, which is an advantage because not all have high level of IT competence, and some had never used a computer before.
Local Community ICT Access
I have researched the provision of ICT in the community within my home town. The disadvantaged groups which could benefit the most from having access to digital technologies are the people who are unemployed, or are unable to afford a computer and access to the internet. The current impact on the digital divide in Gosport is that there are many people who have access to the internet and many who do not. The people who mainly have access to IT at home are people who have well paid jobs, own their own homes and are educated in IT, the people without IT access at home are people who are unemployed, the elderly and people who are uneducated/have a fear of using IT. The disadvantaged groups are served by these initiatives because there are a number of libraries in the town, which all have computers which can used for free which give the disadvantaged groups access to computers and the internet who may otherwise not use it. There are also a number of courses which are designed to give people the essential IT skills, for example at the Gosport Discovery Centre there are 40 People's Network computers for high speed access to the internet. Which are safe and secure. People can send email and use software to make their own documents, presentations, spreadsheets and pictures. This is free to use. There are also colour laser printers and scanners which enable people to print good quality images. In addition, there is software to help people with a visual or a hearing impairment. Plus, there are beginners sessions which are held monthly to teach people the basics in IT. There are also evening classes held at St. Vincent’s College, Bridgemary Community Sports College and Bay House School for basic and more adbanced computer skills and qualifications including Clait and ECDL, however, you have to pay for this.
Wednesday, 29 October 2008
Research Initiatives to Fund the Digital Divide
I have chosen to carry out some researh into UK Online project in depth.
I have made a presentation evaluating the project in terms of its potential to reduce the digital divide. Here is a summary:
Introduction
UK ONLINE is a major government project, started in 2001, to give computer access to people in the community and to help them learn new ICT skills.
There are now over 6000 UK Online Centres, located in libraries, schools and community centres.
What is its purpose?
To teach people essential ICT skills to save yourself time, hassle and money by getting them online.
UK online centres provide people with free or low-cost access to computers and the internet.
Together with help and advice on how to use them.
How it relates to the digital divide
UK online is reducing the digital divide by giving people the essential skills by getting them online, by giving then free or low-cost access to computers and the internet, with help and advice which is essential in making the digital divide, as more people will be online and taking advantage of this resource.
Who are its main target clients?
Its target clients are anyone who wishes to learn new IT skills and are willing to learn.
They can be almost anywhere within the UK as there are over 6000 centres all over the country.
The people do not have to be earning as it can you can get free access.
What are its strengths and weaknesses?
Its strengths are that there are over 6000 centres across the UK and that the service is free and that the site is very user friendly, which is essential as the site is designed for people with limited IT knowledge.
However, the weaknesses of the service are that people may loose/forget their IT skills if they do not continually use them.
What improvements could be made?
There could be more paper based information on this service, as I had not heard of the service, and as it is attracting people with no internet access or computer skills it cannot rely on the internet.
I have made a presentation evaluating the project in terms of its potential to reduce the digital divide. Here is a summary:
Introduction
UK ONLINE is a major government project, started in 2001, to give computer access to people in the community and to help them learn new ICT skills.
There are now over 6000 UK Online Centres, located in libraries, schools and community centres.
What is its purpose?
To teach people essential ICT skills to save yourself time, hassle and money by getting them online.
UK online centres provide people with free or low-cost access to computers and the internet.
Together with help and advice on how to use them.
How it relates to the digital divide
UK online is reducing the digital divide by giving people the essential skills by getting them online, by giving then free or low-cost access to computers and the internet, with help and advice which is essential in making the digital divide, as more people will be online and taking advantage of this resource.
Who are its main target clients?
Its target clients are anyone who wishes to learn new IT skills and are willing to learn.
They can be almost anywhere within the UK as there are over 6000 centres all over the country.
The people do not have to be earning as it can you can get free access.
What are its strengths and weaknesses?
Its strengths are that there are over 6000 centres across the UK and that the service is free and that the site is very user friendly, which is essential as the site is designed for people with limited IT knowledge.
However, the weaknesses of the service are that people may loose/forget their IT skills if they do not continually use them.
What improvements could be made?
There could be more paper based information on this service, as I had not heard of the service, and as it is attracting people with no internet access or computer skills it cannot rely on the internet.
Bridging the gap: examples of initiatives
UK Online
University for Industry
Learn Direct
British Educational Communication and Technology Association
Wired up Communities initiative
Newham
Computers within Reach
Spanning the digital divide – UK’s Get Started Campaign
Hertfordshire County Council
Internet Rangers
Kids key to closing the digital divide
UK Online Direct Support system
"...community broadband sector"
University for Industry
Learn Direct
British Educational Communication and Technology Association
Wired up Communities initiative
Newham
Computers within Reach
Spanning the digital divide – UK’s Get Started Campaign
Hertfordshire County Council
Internet Rangers
Kids key to closing the digital divide
UK Online Direct Support system
"...community broadband sector"
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