ICT and CEG Current Uses and Future Developments

1. ICT and CEGCurrent Uses and Future Developments The Digital Divide ICT Research Network 21st June 2002 http://www.becta.org.uk/research/reports/digidivide.html Timothy_Rudd@becta.org.uk Malcolm Hunt, Becta CIOLA Group Meeting, 10th May, 2000

2. ICT and CEGCurrent Uses and Future Developments Tim Rudd Education Officer Evidence and Research Team Definitions, Dimensions and Characteristics of the Digital Divide Malcolm Hunt, Becta CIOLA Group Meeting, 10th May, 2000

3. What is the Digital Divide, and how should it be defined? • Is it a useful concept? • Is the Digital Divide an important issue? • What are the main contributory factors at all levels? • How does the Digital Divide affect classroom practice? ICT and CEGCurrent Uses and Future Developments Malcolm Hunt, Becta CIOLA Group Meeting, 10th May, 2000

4. ICT and CEGCurrent Uses and Future Developments • What are the priorities for digital divide research? • How can the issues surrounding the complexity of the digital divide be effectively disseminated to teachers and others? • What needs to be done to tackle the digital divide? Malcolm Hunt, Becta CIOLA Group Meeting, 10th May, 2000

5. Historical Overview ICT and CEGCurrent Uses and Future Developments • Lack of critical theoretical and research analysis • Access = primary focus- ‘haves’ vs. have nots’ • ‘Technoromantic’ (Selwyn 2000; Beynon & Mackay 1996) • Reproduction of inequalities largely overlooked Malcolm Hunt, Becta CIOLA Group Meeting, 10th May, 2000

6. Research uncovering the complexities ICT and CEGCurrent Uses and Future Developments • The structuring effects of classroom practice • The impact of the media and stereotypical users • The impact of the home background on use and perceptions of ICT • Specific Digital Divide research e.g. The effects of culture and structures Malcolm Hunt, Becta CIOLA Group Meeting, 10th May, 2000

7. ICT and CEGCurrent Uses and Future Developments Definition(s) of the Digital Divide? • Taken together - DD = ‘Beyond Potential Access’ • Multiple divides in terms of: • ownership - (various types) • prevalence/environment of access (esp. community) • age, capacity & functionality • length and type and application of use • availability of technological and human support • reasons for use, relevance and aspirations • levels of experience and skills • spatial/familial limitations Malcolm Hunt, Becta CIOLA Group Meeting, 10th May, 2000

8. Dimensions of the Divide ICT and CEGCurrent Uses and Future Developments • Socio-economic status • Employment status • Household types • Gender • Geographical location • Ethnicity • (Dis)ability • Age • Refugees, prisoners Malcolm Hunt, Becta CIOLA Group Meeting, 10th May, 2000

9. Contributory Factors ICT and CEGCurrent Uses and Future Developments • Cost • Lack of relevance, interest and aspirations • Lack of access & support • Content • Lack of literacy(s) • Lack of “joined up” approaches • Paternalistic provision • Environment of community access centres • Unsustainable initiatives (financial/social) • Shortcoming of the market • Perceived relationship to existing formal structures Malcolm Hunt, Becta CIOLA Group Meeting, 10th May, 2000

10. Content ICT and CEGCurrent Uses and Future Developments • Lack of local information (21 Million American’s) • Literacy barriers (44 Million American’s) • Language barriers (32 Million - 87% all Internet documents in English) • Lack of cultural diversity/paternalistic content (26 Million) • Est. 20% of all US citizen’s face 1 or more content barriers • (Children’s Partnership 2000) • Other US, Canadian and UK research - similar findings Malcolm Hunt, Becta CIOLA Group Meeting, 10th May, 2000

11. Literacy(s) ICT and CEGCurrent Uses and Future Developments • Basic literacy - Can I read or write? • More than that… • Functional literacy - Can I put these reading and writing skills to daily use? • Occupational literacy - Do I know the basics of applying these to a work environment? • Technological literacy - Can I use common ICT tools effectively? • Information literacy - Can I discern the quality of content? • Adaptive literacy - Can I develop new skills along the way and apply them effectively to my circumstances? Malcolm Hunt, Becta CIOLA Group Meeting, 10th May, 2000

12. Existing Social and Cultural Capitals ICT and CEGCurrent Uses and Future Developments • Social Capitals • Building community participation based on list of ‘desired’ characteristics (Putnam 1993; Coleman 1988) • Access to social networks that enable individuals to reproduce or enhance their social position (Bourdieu 1986) • Cultural Capitals • Impacts of ‘inherited’ endowments derived from home/cultural environment - into specific fields in which they have value Malcolm Hunt, Becta CIOLA Group Meeting, 10th May, 2000

13. An Alternative Universal Access ICT and CEGCurrent Uses and Future Developments • Macro - Citizen’s Online/IPPR -Citizen centred principles • -access to content • -bottom up empowerment • Also need for Micro approaches to community participation Malcolm Hunt, Becta CIOLA Group Meeting, 10th May, 2000

14. Good Practice ICT and CEGCurrent Uses and Future Developments • Start with auditing/researching ‘community’ • Identify particular barriers and interests • Identify gaps in provisions • More innovative ways to engage • Curriculum can be discouraging • Teacher reticence Malcolm Hunt, Becta CIOLA Group Meeting, 10th May, 2000

15. ABCD Asset Based Community Development ICT and CEGCurrent Uses and Future Developments • Community members as active change agents NOT passive beneficiaries or clients • Developed effective participatory tools (Web portal, resident database, business/voluntary database, job/volunteer posting boards, plus leisure) • Auditing and incorporating skills, talents and gifts of local people or “funds of knowledge” (Moll 1987) Malcolm Hunt, Becta CIOLA Group Meeting, 10th May, 2000

16. The Arc Project ICT and CEGCurrent Uses and Future Developments • Innovative use of technology for disaffected children -failing • Summer School Technology Project • Minimum wage • Literacy/Numeracy • Work in video/audio - promotional material for voluntary organisations Malcolm Hunt, Becta CIOLA Group Meeting, 10th May, 2000

17. 5 Principles of Digital Equity ICT and CEGCurrent Uses and Future Developments • Access to learning technology resources (hardware, software, writing and connectivity) • Educators skilled in using these resources effectively for teaching and learning • Access to quality digital content • Access to high quality, culturally relevant content • Opportunity for educators and ‘learners’ to create their own content Malcolm Hunt, Becta CIOLA Group Meeting, 10th May, 2000