1. www.itech-research.ie info@itech-research.ie Defining the Digital Divide Irelands late adopters Dr. Susan ODonnell ICT Expo – Dublin - April 2003

2. Use Internet to improve quality of life and community Use Internet to contribute to the knowledge society Use Internet to improve access to government services www.itech-research.ie info@itech-research.ie Everyone should have the opportunity to: --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3. Defining factor: Internet use Late adopters: use the Internet less than once a month Most late adopters do not have Internet access/computers 55 % of Irish adults are late adopters Estimated 1,700,000 Irish adults (latest Irish data) www.itech-research.ie info@itech-research.ie How is the digital divide defined? --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4. Women with home duties (78% are late adopters) Retired people (90% are late adopters) Tradesmen/skilled workers (68% are late adopters) Agriculture, forestry, fishing (85% are late adopters) Unemployed people (73 % are late adopters) Also other workers (?? where/who are they ??) www.itech-research.ie info@itech-research.ie Who are the main late adopters? --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5. Most say no Minority say yes – overall numbers very large Estimated 570,000 overall want ICT skills training 5 main late adopter groups – 280,000 want training Other workers, some students – 250,000 want training www.itech-research.ie info@itech-research.ie Do late adopters want ICT skills training? --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

6. Emphasise benefits of ICT Simple message, delivered by peers Learning supports in ICT taster programmes Target programmes for specific late adopter groups www.itech-research.ie info@itech-research.ie How to motivate them? --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

7. 425,000 are late adopters 80% never had IT training 33% interested in ICT training 42% have household incomes under 10,000 a year 42% age 55 plus www.itech-research.ie info@itech-research.ie Women with home duties --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

8. 235,000 are late adopters Only 14% have had IT training Only 14% interested in ICT training 31% have household income under 10,000 90% men www.itech-research.ie info@itech-research.ie Retired people --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

9. 145,000 are late adopters Only 13% have had IT training 31% interested in ICT training 33% have household income under 10,000 90 % are men www.itech-research.ie info@itech-research.ie Tradesmen/skilled workers --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

10. 95,000 are late adopters 38% have had IT training 41% interested in ICT training 39% have household income under 10,000 77% are men www.itech-research.ie info@itech-research.ie Workers in agriculture, forestry, fishing --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

11. 90,000 are late adopters 16% have had IT training 29% interested in ICT training 55% have household income under 10,000 65% are men www.itech-research.ie info@itech-research.ie Unemployed people --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

12. 650,000 are late adopters Do not know much about them - yet 40 % have had IT training 33 % interested in ICT training 28% have income under 10,000 www.itech-research.ie info@itech-research.ie Other workers --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

13. Shift from skills to learning Many (25 to 50 %) have literacy difficulties Need flexible, learner-centred approach Need specific supports for each LA group Focus on progression to further training/Internet use www.itech-research.ie info@itech-research.ie Main issues for ICT skills training for LA --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

14. www.itech-research.ie info@itech-research.ie Abbey House 15-17 Upper Abbey Street, Dublin 1, Ireland. Tel: +353 +1 872 4911 Fax: +353 +1 873 3917