Report from the Round Table Discussion which took place at the Report Launch and Presentation of Key Findings and Issues
Absolute Hotel, Limerick April 4th 2008
BACKGROUND
Limerick City Community ICT Steering Group
The Limerick City Community ICT Steering Group which was formed in 2001 is a network consisting of PAUL Partnership, the City of Limerick Vocational Educational Committee (CLVEC), and representatives from five community centres in socially and economically disadvantaged areas in Limerick City (Southill, Our Lady of Lourdes, Moyross, Ballynanty and St Marys)
The overall aim of the group is to promote and support collaborative and innovative approaches to the use of ICT in Communities ‘at risk’ of digital exclusion in Limerick City. It has the following five objectives:
1) Adopt collaborative approaches to planning for and implementing ICT focussed initiatives
2) Maximise the use of technology in designated community locations through the provision of practical supports
3) Promote user-friendly approaches to the introduction and development of ICT’s in communities
4) Build the ‘digital capacity’ of target communities
5) Pilot innovative responses to ‘digital exclusion’ based on sound evidence of need
The Research
Both Limerick City Community ICT and Limerick Employment Pact (LEP) recognised the need to address what they saw as the growing ‘digital divide’ and the exclusion of disadvantaged communities in Limerick City from the information society. As little is known about the exact nature and extent of this form of exclusion locally, the Limerick City Community ICT Steering Group and the LEP commissioned Dr Pat Bogue of Broadmore Research to undertake research that to identify ICT needs in disadvantaged communities within Limerick City and to propose practical and innovative solutions that might be adopted by the Steering Group and other key stakeholders.
Research Findings
The research report highlighted what was described as a ‘real and urgent need to tackle the issue of digital exclusion in Limerick City’
Key findings of the research include:
1) Those living in disadvantaged communities are far less likely to effectively adapt
and use new technologies.
2) Internet access in disadvantaged areas surveyed is 50% below the national average.
3) Almost half of respondents (47%) in disadvantaged communities do not use computers at all. In particular, older people, the unemployed, women in the home, and those with lower education levels are less likely to use computers.
4) The level of home computer ownership in these communities stand at 45% compared to 73% in Caherdavin. Interestingly, the uptake of technologies such as the mobile phone (89%) , Text Messaging (79%) , and ATM machines (72%) was significantly higher than the uptake of computer technology. These technologies are seen as relevant, whereas 34% of respondents considered computers irrelevant to their every-day lives. However, even for these every-day technologies, usage still fell well below comparable figures for non-disadvantaged communities.
Jargon and techno- speak were identified as key turn offs for many.
Recommendations
Two of the key recommendations of the report are the call for:
1) A range approaches to respond to the issues identified involving simple, straight-forward messages , which are centered on relevance and the benefits of technology
2) An increase in the delivery of practical, relevant training focused on real-life tasks.
Launch
The research report was launched by the ICT Steering group on the 4th April, 2008 in the Absolute Hotel. Officially launching the report, Paddy Flannery of Moyross Community Enterprise Centre spoke of the report as being extremely timely in view of the regeneration of the City. He said that whilst technology held out the promise of helping those who have been traditionally excluded, this report highlighted the real danger of people in disadvantaged communities being alienated and excluded in this ‘information age’. He welcomed the focus on e-inclusion in the recent regeneration vision documents and identified the work to date of the Steering Group as crucial work which needs to be built upon if we are to learn from this research. Sean O’ Dwyer, Chairperson of the ICT Steering Group spoke of the launch of this report as the first step in the development of a Community Based ICT Strategy for Limerick and invited all stakeholders to support this process.
Round Table Discussion as part of the Launch Event
The ICT Steering Group recognised that there was a need to allow those with an interest in this area to reflect on and discuss the findings documented in the report in order to deepen the understanding of the issues identified, and to begin to identify possible strategic responses.
Key stakeholders from schools, adult education, statutory sector and community groups were invited to the launch and to participate in the reflection. Over seventy five people attended and these were then invited to participate in round table discussions.
Process used on the Day
The participants were invited to participate in a facilitated discussion which focussed on four questions:
1) Emerging from the research, in your opinion what is the single most important issue which needs to be addressed?
2) Many people still see technology (particularly computer technology) as having limited relevance to their everyday lives. Is this important and if so how could it be addressed?
3)In your opinion what are the main difficulties experienced by (a) individuals, and (b) community groups in terms of access to technology? How might these issues be addressed?
4) How can those involved in planning education and training opportunities ensure future provision meets the needs identified through this research?
The feedback from each of the six groups who participated in the round table discussions was collated and the following summarises the key issues and challenges as well as common ideas and emerging themes.
Discussion One : Digital Exclusion – the research recognized the need to address the growing ‘digital divide’ in Limerick City and the exclusion of many people and communities from the benefits of the information society and ICT.
Emerging from the research, in your opinion what is the single most important issue which needs to be addressed?• Broadband is available everywhere in Limerick – but cost is the factor for non take up by some
• It is important to identify the relevance for each group being worked with – eg the elderly will have specific ICT needs
• A key challenge is the need to raise awareness
• It is important to identify needs and to sell ICT in a fun way through music for example
• Kileely CDP – we had a concern re if we could fill two ICT courses but now we have a waiting list of ten
• There is a need to follow up with those who do courses – eg in Nenagh there was a low take up after training
• The demand for ECDL is dwindling – people want basic knowledge and they want to be confident and to have no fears
• DIT – Helen McQuillan – Why apathy – IT? Education?, social inclusion?
• People need to know ‘what’s in it for me?’
• People get involved because of neighbours, children, social aspect/ fun, cup of tea
• There needs to be a specific strategy to engage those who are apathetic to ICT – they need to understand specifically how it will make their life easier
• It is about providing people with information and increased awareness so that they can make an informed choice. It is not about imposing our own views of the importance/ relevance of ICT on people
• People who are motivated will find the relevance of ICT
• We need to start with a clear definition of ‘the digital divide’, ‘disadvantaged areas/ locations’,’ disadvantaged groups’ ( gender? age? education? or just socio-economic divide to be addressed?)
• The job is about getting ICT involved in all of our work
• Communication between stakeholders/ providers is not filtering through to all concerned
• Education – is it propagating the divide?
• The blog must be embraced as a means of communication
• There needs to be targeted training
• Increased ownership of computers is not enough – cost is not the real issue, relevance is. Awareness needs to be raised re relevance – eg travel, bebo ( what are our children doing?)
• Relevance of material and of different target groups
• Access and costs of computers – need to use radio for example to communicate where people can easily access computers with support
• Addressing the intimidation/ fear of accessing computers – having computers available in a public setting such as internet café
• Cost is a factor – broadband providers should be made advertise an all inclusive cost and terms and conditions in plain english
• Pay as you go broadband
• Make Limerick a complete wifi city
• The key issue to be addressed is that of relevance
• Focus on ‘Skills for Life’ – make it real, include ICT into everything we do, eg have it as a backdrop to other provision – ‘computers and cookery’
• People have a fear of the unknown – need to tackle the mindset which says it is not relevant – we need to work to build confidence
• There is a real issue of literacy and jargon
Discussion Two: The research identifies the need to promote the relevance of IT to those not engaged.
Many people still see technology (particularly computer technology) as having limited relevance to their everyday lives. Is this important and if so how could it be addressed? • Home ownership – ‘I need to have a computer at home’
• Ennis – 85% of homes had a pc, and there was 75% usage ( even on dial up)
• IT support is essential
• Everything is possible
• Look at successful projects – Drogheda handbag making, sport, betting
• There needs to be an information resource available to people
• People need to experience the benefits before they will buy in – booking online, contact with those abroad, going for a job ( computer literacy)
• We need to be mindful of what we mean by relevance – our idea or the individual?
• We need to find creative ways of presenting the relevance of ICT without dumbing it down too much
• We need to integrate ICT into all that we do – all of the courses
• We need to start with what people need, not with what we perceive as their needs
• We need to make ICT easy to use – part of this is ease of access
• Older people may not feel the need to be ICT literate
• We need to show the increasing relevance – eg personal issues such as health and sport, ‘ access to huge wealth of information’
• If ICT is relevant in your school – maybe aim to be a centre of excellence
• Open days to learn to use skype, email etc
• ICT classroom as internet café/ open learning centre
• Stronger links between community centres and schools/ colleges eg use students to show the public how to access information
• Communicating the message of relevance – eg the NALA tv programme
• The key challenge is to target most marginalised groups
• All training needs to be tweeked to specific needs
• Need to keep people engaged – not just for training but after
• Volunteers have a key role – there are issues though re responsibilities/ police clearance/ support
• There are three distinct groups – children , parents and grandparents – these need to be targeted/ engaged in different ways. There may be literacy needs within each of these groups
• The reality is that individuals can be at a distinct disadvantage if they do not have ICT skills
• We need to promote ICT as a good thing – but we also need not to force it on people
• We need to look at how best to promote the relevance – family learning, fun and upbeat.( If it is not relevant am I as an individual already excluded?
Discussion Three: The research identifies the need to do more to enable access of those currently not engaged to IT resources
In your opinion what are the main difficulties experienced by (a) individuals, and (b) community groups in terms of access to technology?
How might these issues be addressed?• Individuals – initial costs but also ongoing running costs which can be prohibitive especially in hierarchy of needs where food is more important that ICT
• Community groups – running costs of providing ICT services is prohibitive with no direct funding. There is a lack of facilities for people to use after a course such as easily accessible ICT access centre
• Address issues – explore low cost alternatives making ICT easily accessible, and giving/ investing time to support and information around ICT
• ICT in community centres and schools should be funded
• ICT classrooms should be available as internet café
• Open Learning Centre
• Creche facility will enhance take up – eg no crèche in the library
• Transport for those who are remote from the centre – perhaps compliment activities such as daily meals and it classes
• People do not access technology because they do not have the necessary skills
• Not knowing what specific bits I need – need for some familiarisation with the potential of ICT
• Cost of broadband and pc may be prohibitive
• Not knowing what to buy or how to set up
• There is a need for a community help desk to address the issues
• There is also a need for people in the community who can go out to families – this should be funded
• There is a need for drop in access
• Not all children have access to pc’s in schools and many households in the target group do not have pc’s – there is a need to investigate putting a scheme in place for subsidising the purchase of pc’s
• The opening hours of community centres with access to pc’s is limited – eg not open at week ends or evenings
• You have to pay to go online in the library
• There is no dedicated IT support available in centres/library etc
• There needs to be a community based self access IT centre modelled on the one currently in the MTI building in VEC
• Need to have access to someone to help if someone is using a pc in a centre
• Investigate the possibility of having pc’s available in public places – post office, stations etc
• Corporate sector should be asked to subsidize costs of broadband through their profits
• There is a barrier re ‘psychological access’ – change of mindset required
• There needs to be improved ICT infrastructure in communities
• Technical skill and support is a huge issue – will need to be addressed if we are not to give an inferior service
• Need to develop software to enable you to simulate real live transactions
Discussion Four: The research identified that training is often more focused on course completion than skill acquisition
How can those involved in planning education and training opportunities ensure that future provision meets the needs identified through this research?• In Ennis repetition was the key – eg ten people starting a course might lead to seven dropping out. Working with a group of three to four was more successful – the ideal would be one to one
• A key idea would be to set up the family in the home and provide practical training for people in the local community( a key challenge might be the reluctance of people in disadvantaged communities to let you in to the house)
• A good example is Cambridge – community – volunteers – ownership – minimal cost – community centres
• VEC, FETAC, Dept. ED – a challenge to do home visits but City Council do visit houses ( eg plumbing) so why not for IT support?
• Currently there is more emphasis on quantity of training opportunities rather than quality – there is a need to train the trainers with coaching and on going support
• Run a variety of courses ( certified and uncertified) eg taster/ email/ certified internet alongside each other
• Integrate ICT into all courses
• Be innovative/ creative re new ways of engaging / delivering ICT
• Design if IT courses – too much of Word, not enough of email/ internet
• Change of mindset – IT to enable employment but now IT should be seen as a means of accessing information
• Training for those who know exactly what they need to learn
• Training to explore the potential of IT
• As trainers we need to ask ourselves is what we currently have on offer right?
• A move towards no certs/ exams/ pressure to work with this target group
• Fun element and small groups essential, plus other incentives ( tea, lunch, childcare)
• Location is important – hassle free if possible, central venue, flexible time
• The quality of trainers is important – must be sensitive to issues
• We need to recognise that certification is not relevant to a lot of people
• We need much more flexibility re courses
• A move to informal learning – eg self access model
• Move to courses that are more learner driven – the individual will identify what s/he needs to know
• Need a shift in thinking – ‘not just a computer course’
• Need to explore how to introduce ICT ..incorporate ICT into other provision, and to shape its delivery differently
• Move from teaching to tutoring, supporting, facilitation
• Reduce the fear factor
• Need to promote the individuals own learning - encourage independent learning.
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