Links:
The elearning Foundation Nextgeneration learning - home access
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The Digital Divide

It is vitally important that every child in Britain gets access to ICT, not just for a few hours a week in the classroom, but when and where they want, so that every child has the opportunity of advancement in the virtual world.

For many children, home access to a computer and the Internet is taken for granted. This access has been proven to provide significant educational advantage for those children. Yet there remains a significant minority who do not have access.

eLearning Foundation New

The eLearning Foundation is a charity that aims to reduce the effect of the “Digital Divide” by working with schools, parents and other stakeholders to ensure that all children have access to learning technologies when and where they need them, both at home and at school. They are holding their Autumn Conference on Wednesday 23rd November with the theme of 'Closing the Attainment Gap.' This conference sets out to demonstrate how effective use of technology can have a dramatic impact on pupil engagement and in raising standards across all ability levels to close the gap.

• www.e-learningfoundation.com/autumn-conference

Digital Divide – Update

Approximately 15%/ 10 million people in the UK are not online.  The Race Online campaign is trying to help solve this issue by promoting opportunities and strategies to get more people online.

Race Online have recently developed a new website which points you to the best computer deals, support and tools available in order to get online:

• champions.go-on.co.uk/set-up

There are also links to some essential software and websites which could be used with people new to the internet:

• www.getonlineathome.org/useful-websites.aspx

One of the new partners Microsoft is offering computer systems with Windows 7 installed at approximately £165
If you don’t quite understand some of the vocabulary when using the internet you might be interested in visiting:

• www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/a-z/a/

Don't forget also the e-Learning Foundation, established in 2001, aims to reduce the effect of the “digital divide” by working with schools, parents and other stakeholders to ensure that all  children have access to the learning resources that technology can make available, when and where they need them, both at home and at school.

For more information visit:

• www.e-learningfoundation.com/ 

Moving forward with Home Access

Where are we at?

After the Home Access Programme latest information suggests:

• 75% of households have a home computer
• 71% of households have an internet connection

250,000 Families benefited from being provided with access to technology and an internet connection under the Home Access Programme.

Research suggests that going online can save people around £560 a year.

Unemployed people who get online could also increase their lifetime earnings by over £12,000.

Research by Pricewaterhouse Coopers – October 2009

• Microsoft downloads: Champion For Digital Inclusion.pdf (pdf file)

What can families do next?

Remploy is currently running a scheme alongside the Race Online 2012 project which provides families with the opportunity to purchase refurbished computers for £98 in order to access the internet.  As part of this cost families will get a warranty, telephone and e-mail support. 

Families can also access mobile broadband at reduced cost from mobile provider ‘Three’

• http://blog.three.co.uk/2010/08/03/three-gets-on-board-with-race-online-2012

The packages and mobile broadband offer are going to be available from UK Online Centres. 

To find your local UK Online Centre Visit:

• www.ukonlinecentres.com/centresearch

Don’t forget to check your broadband coverage before committing to a broadband connection using:

• www.broadband-notspot.org.uk

What can schools do next?

The Remploy computer packages will be running Linux based open source software.  You may want to consider developing training on the use of the ‘open source software’ in your school.  Especially at this time when schools are looking at alternative software solutions in order to boost creativity and reduce costs.

BT Have setup a really great web site supporting people in making their first steps online.  They have also setup an ‘online basics’ training programme to support people getting online.  Most of these training sessions take place in the UK Online Centres above.

• www.bt.com/includingyou/getting-online-registration.html

Your school might be interested in running an ‘ICT Training Programme’ several school schemes have been funded by lottery money on a ‘full cost recovery’ basis.

• www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/wefunded-uk

Schools that are affiliated to the eLearning Foundation should be aware that a new round of grants will be launched in March 2011.