Background

“The 10 million people in the UK who have never been online are already missing out on big consumer savings, access to information and education. They will be even more isolated and disadvantaged as government and industry expand ever faster into digital-only services……….We will be better off when everyone is online.” (Manifesto for a Networked Nation, Foreword, Martha Lane Fox, July 2010 p4)

Following the Review of ICT Skills by Estelle Morris and her report in June 2009, a recommendation was made that “an offer of basic ICT skills be made available to adults of all ages and all levels of education who do not have Digital Life Skills at a basic level” and the resource Online basics was developed in partnership with UK online centres. Government targets have been set as part of the Race Online 2012 initiative to encourage as many citizens as possible to “get online”. The new Manifesto highlights a series of recommendations and actions for organisations and individuals.

UK online centres themselves are encouraging the take up of Online basics by those who do not have basic IT skills in line with meeting the Government targets. They will do this in particular by supporting providers to embed the use of Online basics in their ICT provision and enhance their curriculum development with this additional offer of a resource for learners with basic ICT skills needs.

Aims

NIACE will host nine regional events that will widen engagement in the Online basics programme by offering briefing to a wide range of potential providers and stakeholders. The events will share and promote good teaching and learning practice in digital inclusion initiatives taking account of best practice in delivery and offering latest advice on good practice models and information on funding opportunities. This regional work should ensure that providers make strong connections with local authorities’ work on digital inclusion and with local digital inclusion strategies, together with Third Sector organisations who may be part of UK online partnerships.

Audience

The events will be of particular interest to:

• Anyone supporting adult learners to get online and improve their ICT skills
• Curriculum development staff and ICT team leaders in lifelong learning services in local authorities
• Digital inclusion advisers in local authorities who may be wanting to work with UK online centres or get citizens online
• Local authority planning departments involved in the new Eco development initiative (formerly Eco Towns) who may want to encourage citizens to use Smart meters and similar technology, including project managers for telecare and telehealth pilots in the Department of Health
• Third sector organisations in receipt of UK online Champion grant funding
• Managers and learner support staff in UK online centres
• Organisations who have been involved in delivering basic ICT skills as part of Transformation Fund projects.

Provisional Programme

12:30 Registration and lunch (project showcase stands)
13:00 Welcome and context – What is Online basics?
13:20 Small group work – What are the challenges in your workplace to deliver Online basics?
13:40 Feedback issues and concerns and questions from tables
14:00 Options for support - Examples of good practice - short inputs
14:30 Tea/coffee break (project showcase stands)
14:45 How we do it – one case study from the region
15:15 How can you make it work in your setting?
15:45 Plenary – panel – questions – what else do you need?
16:15 Close

Application conditions

• Substitutions are to be advised 5 working days prior to the event
• A 10 working days notice period is required for provision of electronic note-takers, sign language interpreters and transcription to Braille
• Places can be reserved online via: www.niace.org.uk/events
  Alternatively completed and signed application forms can be faxed or posted to NIACE by the closing date. Reservations by telephone cannot be accepted
• Application forms are individually acknowledged by e-mail. Joining instructions, including map and directions, will be e-mailed out one week before the event
• NIACE reserves the right to reject applicants who are not from the target audience list.