Ofcom publishes learning-related audit

Ofcom has published an Audit of learning-related media literacy policy development.  Jointly commissioned by Ofcom and the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCFS), the audit aims to map public policy developments across the UK in relation to the promotion of media literacy.

Take a look at the report at:

http://www.ofcom.org.uk/advice/media_literacy/medlitpub/medlitpubrss/ml_policy_development/

Sugata Mitra talks about his Hole in the Wall project.

An older talk (LIFT 2007) but still very interesting in terms of understanding how kids learn.

Ofcom’s Managing your Media guides

To support Adult Learners’ Week Ofcom has published the first in a series of Managing Your Media guides designed to promote media literacy across the UK.

Available as a video and downloadable guide, this resource is intended to show parents and guardians how to use parental controls and filters to manage their children’s access to digital TV and internet content. The guide also encourages parents and guardians to talk to their children about what they do on the internet and how to use it safely.

Ofcom research found that 57 per cent of children aged 8-15 mostly watch TV without an adult in the room.  Similarly, half of all children aged 8-11 and two-thirds of those aged 12-15 mostly use the internet without an adult present. 

The video and guide can be found here: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/advice/guides/media/media/

Fourth National Digital Inclusion Conference

The fourth National Digital Inclusion Conference ‘Empowerment through Technology’, took place on the 27th and 28th April 2009 at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in Westminster.

More than 400 delegates attended, more than 600 followed the live webstream, seven Government Ministers reported on progress and policy, four workshops whittled down 20 ideas for digital-inclusion action, a team of 12 social reporters posted more than 50 video interviews, and it was even the third most talked about thing on Twitter.

All in all, it added up to one big on and offline debate, ably steered by Chair Matthew Taylor of the RSA, and covering economic and social e-implications and opportunities from learning to health, community to democracy, business practice to individual empowerment.

If you missed any of the action or wish to watch the main conference sessions again, it’s available at http://live.nationaldigitalinclusionconference.co.uk

E-democracy 2.0 – Key note speaker

Jesse Salazr’s key note speech on the use of new media in the recent US Presidential election campaigns, recorded at March’s E-democracy 2.0 conference.

Technology key in primary review

A major review of England’s primary school curriculum says technology should be a new “centrepiece” along with English and maths, read the full story.

Testing times for mobile phones

Have you ever wondered how a seemingly delicate piece of  tech like your mobile phone can withstand the scrapes and knocks of daily life, then check this out: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/click_online/7991777.stm

When game playing is learning

It’s not all about racing and virtual tennis, gaming can be educational: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7965965.stm

Michael Wesch – The Anthropology of YouTube

This is a fascinating talk by Michael Wesch, and very relevant to anyone wishing to understand:

  • the Internet space better
  • how media becomes viral on the Web
  • our roles as creators and consumers on the Internet

Is this what the future looks like?

Pattie Maes & Pranav Mistry: Unveiling the “Sixth Sense,” game-changing wearable technology.