The following is my attempt to post the key points I picked up from his input so feel free to correct me or to offer alternative interpretations of Colms' input.
Colm started by giving some background in relation to eGovernment in Ireland. He said the initial approach was supply led – focused on pushing content online. Mistakes had been made but these mistakes were part of a learning process. The CSO statistics highlighted (as does the Limerick research) that many people were still not engaging. He spoke of the need to learn from analysis and had hoped that the national Research Group would play a key role in this regard.
In some cases the take-up by government agencies was slow. Colm concluded that a business case needed to be made and that the focus should not be on the technology, rather on getting government to do it better. It needs to be about optimisation of performance – Many projects failed because the focus was on technology not on reform. Technology is only a part of any project – people and the culture of the organisation are also critically important to the success of initiatives.
Colm argued that if this is true of eGovernment- it is equally true of eInclusion. He highlighted the danger of labeling people as digitally excluded. The Limerick research identified large numbers of people who did not identify technology as relevant to their lives, yet they were using mobile phone technology daily. Telling people that they are excluded is not the best approach – it defines them (often incorrectly) in terms of what they cannot do, or are excluded from. He highlighted the ABCD (Asset Based Community Development) approach of John McKnight as an approach which focuses on assets rather than real or perceived deficiencies. Telling people that they are not part of a new digital world is not terribly useful.
Colm identified the real need to adopt a multi-pronged approach to eInclusion. Yes - we should show people how to use technology and show them how wonderful it is but any response must be contextualized. The industry tends to talk in jargon (Ghz, Mb etc.) rather than telling people what the technology can do. He highlighted the Home Computer Initiative (HCI) which the ISPU developed with the credit unions as a good example of a demand-centered approach.
Following the input there was a short Q&A.
Q - Who will champion eInclusion politically?
Ans -Sean Power is the new minister with responsibility for eInclusion and therefore the political champion for its cause.
Q - Do those at the cutting edge (tutors/community workers etc.)really understand how technology can enhance their own work?
Ans -Colm suggested that these were the people who should be targeted through initiatives as they can be more easily reached and can have an impact through their work.
Q – How can we change the values of those who do not embrace technology?
Ans. – You cannot change the values of people– you should must identify what the values are and build your projects/initiatives in response to them
Q - If government is really serious about eInclusion – shouldn’t money be invested in innovation for the adult and further education sector and community development sector as has happened at third level
Ans. – Colm supported the idea a focus on innovation.
3 comments:
Colm presented quite a grim but realistic picture of einclusion policy and progress in Ireland. While we wait for the publication of the national Knowledge Society Action Plan and e-Inclusion strategy (which was due in 2006)it is worth noting that the Irish government is committed to einclusion targets and actions through the social partnership agreement 'Towards 2016'and as a signatory to the EU Riga Declaration on einclusion. There is a good opportunity to specifically address these targets in the Limerick einclusion strategy. Ireland's progress compared to other EU countries is available on the Riga Dashboard http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/activities/einclusion/docs/i2010_initiative/rigadashboard.doc
Colm agreed that there is need to bring the cost of Broadband into line with the rest of Europe. He pointed out that what we get is not the full package (Yellow Broadband??)
It was refreshing to listen to a Department person who has the community at heart and could be critical of the Beaucracy usualy found in Govt. Depts.
There is hope!
Techfast 4: Challenges of Emerging Digitlal Economy, Fergal McGrath, UL. 30/5/08
Well done on another excellent & thought provoking breakfast. It has been an excellent series. Thanks.
I agree with Fergal that we have to start from where each individual is at. What motivates him or her?, ICT is just a tool that may or may not help meet a person’s needs. We have to begin by making each person aware of the benefits to them in their life as they live it. So that they “want to” go online. This will require one-to-one encouragement and support – Community Networking, Volunteers, and the “Buddy System” is the way to do this.
I liked Fergal’s focus on the talents of each individual and community. I think the Community ICT Strategy needs to proactively focus on self-help and the assets in each community (the ABCD approach). It could be useful to list and document those assets - maybe organise some community events to identify them. Fergal mentioned Social Network Analysis and Mapping – that could be useful way to structure this.
These assets are many and varied. Fergal highlighted the obvious asset for the Internet, we speak English. Assets include each individual’s talents, experience and interests. Such as young people’s idealism, enthusiasm & interests in new things. For instance, many young people are excellent in their use of computer games consoles (such as Wii & PlayStation), social networking (such as Bebo) and texting. While older people have their life’s experience, knowledge & interests.
A key assets of many of our “disadvantaged” communities is their rich social networking – this is an asset that can be built on to encourage people & communities to “do it for themselves” – maybe using a Buddy System, where instead of courses, programmes, etc, individuals help other individuals.
Other assets (as Fergal pointed out) are the15,000+ third level students here in Limerick, and our many more Second Level students, especially those in Transition Year. Maybe work with schools (another asset!) to begin Transition Year projects, encouraging young people to work with individuals in their own community to pursue their interests online. This would also instil in those young people a sense of Community Service & “giving back” to their own community, as well getting to know (perhaps elderly) individuals in their community.
As Fergal mentioned, once people go online to pursue their interests, and see what is possible - many then proceed to do other things there. So this must be the first step – awareness (to know what I can do). Bring people to that first step of using the Internet to pursue their interests. Then once their curiosity is sparked and they see relevance to being online, encourage them then seek out the help and what they need to go further (if they wish).
I agree with the point that emerged in the discussion that a fundamental issue that needs to be addressed is literacy. But people with little reading skills can quite readily use mobile phones, gaming consoles and other technologies. So rather than see this as a barrier that stops people going on-line, I would suggest getting them online doing things that are of immediate interest to them (especially using sound, images and videos), and from that basis encourage each individual to use various online services to improve their own literacy.
Finally, I would like to support Fergal’s comment that rather than wait until the Community ICT Strategy is complete and prescribes everything –the approach should be to continue trying things, to “just do it” and see what works ! (like these Techfasts).
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