Bridging the Gap: Examples of Initiatives

There have been many attempts to close the gap of the digital divide, and make sure everyone has access and relevant knowledge to IT, not only just in the UK but worldwide. These are not always government funded, with the gap also being sponsored by the private industry and charities. The hope is that by being able to fund these projects, the digital revolution will continue to increase and expand, and bring a stop to the digital divide which is evident, especially between the higher economically developed and lower economically developed countries.

UK online
UK online is a major government project, which started in 2001, which aimed to give computer access to communities and help them to learn ICT skills. There are now over 6000 UK Online centres, and can be found in places such as schools, libraries and community centres. Their training and development is aimed at community organisations who have a limited training budget available to develop their staff and volunteers, with people who want to develop their skills, which will help them improve in their everyday life. The courses vary from in house training, or courses such as 'Preparing to Teach in the ICT sector'. Since 2010, 1066262 people have learnt with UK online, this shows that the programme has been very successful, and therefore being widely used. http://www.ukonlinecentres.com/

University for Industry (Ufi)
The University for Industry is a partnership between the government and private industry. Their main principle is to improve job prospects for individuals, and raise competitiveness in businesses through the use of Learn Direct centres, through giving people more access and opportunities means a higher chance of employment. Ufi is a public partnership in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, putting people in a better position to get jobs. The funding works on 2 stages; stage 1 is a short form outlining details of the organisation, the project and required investment, with the Trustees evaluating and choosing the one that best suits the criteria. Stage 2 will involve applicants who are picked explaning the projects goals, costs etc. This seems like a good initiative to decrease the unemployment rates in the UK, giving more people access to different ways of gaining qualifications, bringing them a step forward. As the funding is given a thorough check it makes sure that the money is being used wisely and beneficial.
http://www.ufi.co.uk/

Learn Direct
Learn Direct is aimed at teaching adults how to use ICT, in schools libraries and colleges. They were one of the first free initiatives to teach adults not only ICT, but courses such as Maths and Life skills, through online courses. All courses are flexible and designed to fit around the individual, putting them forward in employment chances. This seems to be a useful programme, as it doesnt limit the individual to what they can do, and can help improve their potential careers. Being able to go into the programmes when adults could also help with people wanting to further their education through things such as open universities, when they wish to change their career, or when they have the chance due to having a family. There are more than 400 centres in England and Wales, and since 2000 they have helped more than 3.5 million people improve their skills.

British Educational Communication and Technology Association (BECTA)
BECTA was created in an attempt to help educate professionals, including teachers, to make the most of ICT. It was hoped that this would mean individuals could an use technology effectively, while improving teaching and learning, and saving time and money. This was a successful way to bring forward ICT in education, and allowed learners to be more aware and competent in using technology. This may have also improved the way that teachers were operating, and allows them to constantly be aware of new advances.

Wired Up Communities Initiative
£10 million was provided into funding the Wired Up Communities Initiative to connect seven disadvantaged communities to the internet to test what impact this would have on their lives.The aim of the initiative was to improve educational standards and increase job opportunities for those who are socially excluded. Alston Moore was one of the seven areas that was chosen to improve the standards of ICT, invested through the Wired Up Communities initiative. Their aim was to assess each individual and how the use of ICT could change their life, such as giving them better job opportunities and developing new ways of accessing training. This was done by setting up a community website with a range of online services for both the local residents and businesses. Control was given to the community, with them being in charge of setting up the online services, assisting with the roll out of computers, the selection and instillation of broadband communication links and the provision of local and public information services for the community website; www.cybermoore.org. There were many benefits to this initiative, including; those households with no or old computers could apply for a free brand new computer and printer, free computer software to create documents, spreadsheets and databases, and free installation of the computer. This initiative was useful as not only were the residents recieving computers which could change their life, but also gaining all the training, therefore they know how to make the most of their ICT. http://www.cybermoor.org/cybermoor-services/general-information-about-cybermoor/313-introductory-fact-sheet-for-residents/view-details

Communication - The History of Mobile Phones

   Mobile phones have altered the way people communicate over the last 10+ years dramatically, letters and cards are a thing in the past, where now people can text or ring, and still send the same message, but with much less effort, and for some, cheaper. In the past mobile phones resembled more of a brick than a telephone, however now they are becoming lighter, thinner and faster every year. Phones are not just a way to text, phone or download music, they are as some say 'the centre of our universe'. Even though there has been many changes to the first phones, a survey revealed that 1 in 3 people aged over 45 still use their first mobile phone. Clearly for some, the simple yet effective reliable Nokia is enough for what they need, whereas others like to swap and change every year, gaining all the benefits from the latest phones on the market. Even though this can be very costly, some dont care about paying the cost as its a necessity they have every day, being the first thing they look at in the morning, and the last at night. There are over 81million mobile phone subscriptions in Britain, with companies such as Orange, T mobile, O2 and 3, with 92% of the population owning a mobile.

Entertainment and Leisure

  Technology had had a dramatic affect on entertainment and leisure, with near enough every aspect of the institution being modified or changed; both in production and distribution. It has made way for so much choice, and is much more simpler to create things that were near enough impossible to do on your own in the past, for example music, radio, video, magazines and books.
  The music industry is a perfect example of where technology has been a major benefit and has made production and distribution much easier. Not only is the technology available to those who have money, the space and knowledge, but its also available for people to use in their homes, on their computors, or similar devices. Voices can be edited by autotune, backing tracks can be created by selecting a key signature and musical style, and all you need is the knowledge and patience. Distribution has also been affected by technology, with previously records changing to CD's, but more recently, CD's now changing to digital downloads. This has seen an increase in independant music, with a wide variety, and new talent being able to publish new talent.
  Due to the advance in technology, there has also been a rise in choice of entertaiment, and how it is accessed. Entertainment like in the past, is no longer restricted by the cinemas, or when it is being released on DVD. Now, due to the advance in technology, there are so many options avaible. You are now able to watch films on your TV or even your game console, through paid systems such as SKY or Virgin TV. or even through streaming websites such as Netflix, or LoveFilm, which was thought of as impossible in the past. However there has also been an advance with the TV companies, with new set boxes such as Sky+, V+ and the TiVo box. These make it possible to watch HD and 3D tv, record live tv, pause, rewind and fast forward tv. These original film websites have paved the way and are one step forward on entertainment shops such as HMV and Blockbuster, which may have been a contributer to the financial unstability of the shops.