ICT and CEG Current Uses and Future Developments Malcolm Hunt, Becta CIOLA Group Meeting, 10 th May, 2000 The Digital Divide ICT Research Network 21st June

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

ICT and CEG Current Uses and Future Developments Malcolm Hunt, Becta CIOLA Group Meeting, 10 th May, 2000 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 CEG Current Uses and Future Developments Malcolm Hunt, Becta CIOLA Group Meeting, 10 th May, 2000 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?

ICT and CEG Current Uses and Future Developments Malcolm Hunt, Becta CIOLA Group Meeting, 10 th May, 2000 Historical Overview 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

ICT and CEG Current Uses and Future Developments Malcolm Hunt, Becta CIOLA Group Meeting, 10 th May, 2000 Research uncovering the complexities 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

ICT and CEG Current Uses and Future Developments Malcolm Hunt, Becta CIOLA Group Meeting, 10 th May, 2000 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

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

ICT and CEG Current Uses and Future Developments Malcolm Hunt, Becta CIOLA Group Meeting, 10 th May, 2000 Contributory Factors 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

ICT and CEG Current Uses and Future Developments Malcolm Hunt, Becta CIOLA Group Meeting, 10 th May, 2000 Content 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

ICT and CEG Current Uses and Future Developments Malcolm Hunt, Becta CIOLA Group Meeting, 10 th May, 2000 Literacy(s) 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?

ICT and CEG Current Uses and Future Developments Malcolm Hunt, Becta CIOLA Group Meeting, 10 th May, 2000 Existing Social and Cultural Capitals 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

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

ICT and CEG Current Uses and Future Developments Malcolm Hunt, Becta CIOLA Group Meeting, 10 th May, 2000 Good Practice 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

ICT and CEG Current Uses and Future Developments Malcolm Hunt, Becta CIOLA Group Meeting, 10 th May, 2000 ABCD Asset Based Community Development 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)

ICT and CEG Current Uses and Future Developments Malcolm Hunt, Becta CIOLA Group Meeting, 10 th May, 2000 The Arc Project 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

ICT and CEG Current Uses and Future Developments Malcolm Hunt, Becta CIOLA Group Meeting, 10 th May, Principles of Digital Equity 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