Supporting Learners Workshop - New Prospect House - 19 January 2009

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Supporting Learners Workshop

Fiona SyrettDigital Unite Ltd

Supporting Learners Workshop - New Prospect House - 19 January 2009

Agenda

• Introductions• What is Digital Literacy?• Common Concerns & Fears• Benefits• What are the challenges?• What do you need?• What can we provide?

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Supporting Learners Workshop - New Prospect House - 19 January 2009

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What is Digital Literacy?

• Regularly use email and attachments• Access Internet web sites - Using ‘search engine’? (i.e. Google, ASK

etc)• Shopping on-line• Internet photographs – Albums storage and retrieval• Skype – i.e. Internet telephony• Internet Banking• Mobile phone - Internet access (location based services)• MP3 – use, downloads (i.e. iTunes)• Podcasts • Social Networking – have one, use one, access one (BEBO, My Space,

FaceBook, Saga Zone)• Blogging• Twitter messages (‘Tweets’ )• Video Blogs (i.e. YouTube)

Supporting Learners Workshop - New Prospect House - 19 January 2009

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The meaning of Digital Literacyis changing

• It varies from person to person• Generational differences• Amongst older people it’s at most basic level• Definition will change over time

Supporting Learners Workshop - New Prospect House - 19 January 2009

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Common Concerns and Fears

• I know absolutely NOTHING; don’t even understand the language• I don’t know how to type• I’ve never touched a keyboard• I’m afraid I cannot manipulate the mouse• I’m scared I’ll break something• I’m afraid I’ll launch a missile on NATO• I’ll make a fool of myself• I’m 70 years old and have managed without computers till now, so

why start?• I cannot think of anything useful I want to do

…. others …..

Supporting Learners Workshop - New Prospect House - 19 January 2009

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What are the benefits?

• Communication – friends, family, landlord etc• Keeps mind stimulated• Saving money• Making money e.g. Ebay• Learning, information, research e.g. genealogy

• Independence• Health benefits – depression/isolation• Levels the age/disability ‘playing-field’• Closes the generational gap• Hobbies/interests• Access to health care/advice

…. others …..

Supporting Learners Workshop - New Prospect House - 19 January 2009

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SILVER SURFERS’ DAY 2009 IS ON FRIDAY, MAY 15th

Supporting Learners Workshop - New Prospect House - 19 January 2009

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What do you need?

• Between one and many online computers in any easily accessible, safe place;

• A relaxed host/organiser;• Some relaxed Tutors

(one at each computer);• Enough knowledge/resources

to support a 45-60-minute session per visitor;

• A steady flow of happy 50s-plus visitors who want to ‘cross the digital divide’;

• A sense of ‘benefit’ to the host organisation.

Supporting Learners Workshop - New Prospect House - 19 January 2009

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What are the challenges?

• What are the 3 main challenges you face in delivering an SSD Event?

• How can you address/overcome them?

Supporting Learners Workshop - New Prospect House - 19 January 2009

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Key things to bear in mind

• Beginners may really mean beginners• Beginners may really NOT mean beginners• Spend few minutes assessing knowledge• Set expectations – this is a ‘TASTER’• Allay fears of using the keyboard• Main objective – (ALL Learner driven)

– Clarify some jargon– Access Internet sites– Email

Supporting Learners Workshop - New Prospect House - 19 January 2009

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Knowledge Assessment

Supporting Learners Workshop - New Prospect House - 19 January 2009

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Accessibility

http://www.abilitynet.org.uk/myway/customise.htm

Supporting Learners Workshop - New Prospect House - 19 January 2009

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How can we help?

In addition to today’s information:• Subscribe to e-zine • Event Holders’ Planning Guide• Media Pack• Learning Zone material• Silver Surfer of the Year• Contact with Digital Unite

Supporting Learners Workshop - New Prospect House - 19 January 2009

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Learning Zonewww.digitalunite.net/lz

Supporting Learners Workshop - New Prospect House - 19 January 2009

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Useful Links

• www.digitalunite.net• http://www.abilitynet.org.uk/myway/customise.htm• http://www.staysafeonline.org • http://www.bbb.org.uk/• http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/trail/familyhistory/• http://www.silveritclub.com/• http://www.seniornet.org/howto/mouseexercises/mousepra

ctice.html• http://www.ckls.org/~crippel/computerlab/tutorials/mouse/

page1.html• http://www.jigzone.com/gallery• http://www.sagazone.co.uk/