Building a Digital Literacy Solution: Empowering Knowledge in a Global Economy
Our initiative focuses on addressing the digital divide by developing a comprehensive digital literacy solution that empowers learners with the skills they need for today’s online world. We believe in an equality of knowledge, providing flexible learning experiences that inspire engagement and curiosity. By removing barriers to technology, we enable individuals, particularly the socially excluded and older populations, to thrive in a digital economy. Our aim is to enhance employability, foster collaboration, and equip learners with essential digital competencies for personal and professional growth.
Building a Digital Literacy Solution: Empowering Knowledge in a Global Economy
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Presentation Transcript
AGENDA • Our Thinking • Our Vision • Why we did it • How we did it • The Result
The future is already here. It’s just unevenly distributed. William Gibson, quoted in The Economist 23rd June 2000
“To offer learners a positive, simple, flexible learning experience that makes them want to learn.”
DEFINE DIGITAL LITERACY? • EU COMMISION: 2006 • The confident and critical use of ICT for work, leisure, learning and communication” • GLISTER 1997: “….about mastering ideas, not keystrokes”
The differences • Textual literacy is a well trodden path • Textual literacy is a lifeskill • Textual literacy is something you learn to do • Digital literacy is a journey into the unknown • Digital literacy is a lifestyle • Digital literacy is something you learn to be
ADDING VALUE • Employability • Communication • Collaboration • Cost Savings • Convenience • Confidence • Contributing • Safety • Information is Power
ADVANTAGES • Independent or blended classroom • Train more people • Switched on 24/7 • Automated test & tracking of hours • Foundation skill for other courses • Positive introduction to online learning • Direct application to unemployment • Teaches functional skills
Why Digital Literacy? UK • 29% of the UK population facing literacy issues • Last 10 years adults online has increased from 8.1 million to 33.4 million • 17 million adults in England are ICT illiterate • 15% of adult population are both socially and digitally excluded (6 million people) • We have a digital divide. Those most at risk are over 65’s, socially excluded or with few or no qualifications. • 60% of over 65’s have never used the internet • ICT literate are 25% more confident about finding a job than non users.
THE CHALLENGES UK • 70% of learners lost at Entry Level or Level 1 • Learners do not have access to broadband • Disinterested in learning • The qualification framework remains complex • There is a link between digital exclusion and social exclusion • Teaching of basic ICT is not underpinned by clear pedagogy • Poor e-learning experiences • Upskilling essential for Employability, Business productivity and as a life skill.
USA • We live in an Internet Economy: • $10 trillon online transactions in 2008 • Jobs related to the internet contributed $300 billion to the economy • Digital Literacy is Necessary for Jobs: • 62% use internet at work • 1998 - 2008 : 26% growth in IT jobs that is 4 times faster than US employment as a whole
The Need for Training • 28% do not use the internet at all: 2011 • Estimated 60 Million people not on line 2012 • Why: No need and or access • The digital divide: low income, disability, seniors, minorities, less educated, unemployed. • Literacy opens doors to opportunity
WHY DIGITAL SKILLS ARE VITAL? • 25% more likely to get work with web skills • You will earn 10% more in the job • 50% of low paid workers identify lack of digital savvy as their most serious skills gap
USA: Today’s Jobs • 2009: Direct/Indirect Internet services jobs employed 3Million. 1.2M of them have jobs that did not exist 20 yrs ago • Life has moved online: job application, education, healthcare, government information, etc.
THE FUTURE OPPORTUNITY • Digital Global Economy $20 trillion • (estimate IDC in 2012) • Next 5 years 23.5 million new jobs will be created globally as the internet develops • Global devices connected to the internet will increase from 5 Billion in 2009 to 50 billion in 2020 (Ericsson & Intel)
WHY DO IT? • To deliver an equality of knowledge • Increase the skill base • Increase the capability of a nation • Create international competitiveness • Success in a global economy • A return on investment in education
HOW? • Relevant. Functional. Lifestyle Focus • Set progressive learning goals that deliver learning progression • Created online & blended option • Developed training manuals for trainers • Create an appetite for life long learning
Educational pathways • Give access • Remove fear • Provide goals • Motivation • Flexibility • Smart Nation
OUR REQUIREMENTS • Remove the fear of technology • Deliver a complete skill set in digital literacy. • To confidently progress their computer skills to communicate share & learn
