Policies and Practices Lutz Laschewski Euracademy Observatory Final Conference An overview of policy and practice for ICT-supported learning in Europe Lutz Laschewski University of Rostock, Germany

Policies and Practices Lutz Laschewski Euracademy Observatory Final Conference Outline Structure of rural areas and the rural economy ICT usage Institutional context of Continuous Education and Training Policy mechanism to promote ICT supported CET

Policies and Practices Lutz Laschewski Euracademy Observatory Final Conference Structure of rural areas Structure, significance and economic situation of rural areas vary widely between European Countries SMEs are integrating the vast majority of the labour force and are generating large parts of national gross value added of rural economies Technological infrastructure is very differently developed between countries, between urban and rural areas and in between rural areas

Policies and Practices Lutz Laschewski Euracademy Observatory Final Conference ICT usage Uneven provision –Large businesses in general seem to have developed ICT based CET for their employees –Small and in particular micro-businesses are less commonly targeted by ICT based training courses –Supply differs according to sector and region Formats –Integrated approaches (blended learning) are very common –Increasing diversity

Policies and Practices Lutz Laschewski Euracademy Observatory Final Conference Institutional context ICT supported CET is a complex policy arena –Overlapping competencies by multiple actors (Economics, Education, Social Affairs, Regional Policies, Agriculture, Central/Regional Administration etc.) Rural areas are rarely targeted by specific policies Need but also a lack of coherent strategies Variety of policy mechanism have been applied

Policies and Practices Lutz Laschewski Euracademy Observatory Final Conference Best practice examples Access –Provision of affordable technical infrastructure (broadband) Basic Skills Content Development Dissemination of course information

Policies and Practices Lutz Laschewski Euracademy Observatory Final Conference Challenges Remaining technological infrastructure gap in some rural areas/countries Usage of internet is growing rapidly Application of ICT in the field of training and education are still rare –Access: Social rather than technological barriers –Content development, didactics and methodologies Wider political strategy that considers technological, social and economic dimensions is required to serve the needs of rural SMEs and their employees