Wales Media Literacy Network

Software engineers develop eisteddfod iPhone app

niacedc — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 11:16:47 +0000

Visitors to this year’s eisteddfod will be able to download a gadget with all the details about the event to their iPhones. The venture is the idea of two software designers from Llanberis, Gwynedd, and has the backing of organisers.

The iSteddfod is the first application for Welsh speakers created for the Apple iPhone. The gadget contains a detailed map of the Maes, as well as times and locations for events.

Read the full story

Finland makes broadband a ‘legal right’

niacedc — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 11:36:01 +0000

Finland has become the first country in the world to make broadband a legal right for every citizen.

From 1 July every Finn will have the right to access to a 1Mbps (megabit per second) broadband connection. Finland has vowed to connect everyone to a 100Mbps connection by 2015.

In the UK the government has promised a minimum connection of at least 2Mbps to all homes by 2012 but has stopped short of enshrining this as a right in law.

Schools must embrace mobile technology

niacedc — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 11:47:47 +0000

The need for schools to prepare for 21st century learning was top of the agenda at this year’s BETT conference. They must embrace mobile technologies, games, podcasts and social networking, according to leading educationalist Professor Stephen Heppell…read full story

EU and Wales Join Hands To Bring High Speed Broadband To Welsh Communities

niacedc — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 13:30:09 +0000

The Welsh Assembly Government plans to use European funding to improve high-speed broadband coverage for businesses and communities following an agreement with the European Commission, the Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones has announced. Read full story.

Government offers cash to get next one million online

niacedc — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 14:45:24 +0000

The UK government has pledged to get another one million people online by 2012 as it pushes ahead with moving the majority of its services onto the web…Read the full story

Internet safety for children targeted

niacedc — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 14:42:41 +0000

Lessons in using the internet safely are set to become a compulsory part of the curriculum for primary schoolchildren in England from 2011…read the full story

Digital Economy Bill published today

niacedc — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:01:39 +0000

Read the bill

How to shop safely online this Christmas

niacedc — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:19:42 +0000

Millions of us are now shopping online for Christmas presents. It’s convenient, there’s more choice and you can often save money. It’s also safe and secure so long as you take a few simple steps first.

Ofcom has published a video setting out steps consumers can take and things they should look out for when shopping online this Christmas.

Political discourse no longer the domain of traditional media

niacedc — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:53:49 +0000

Political discourse is no longer the domain of traditional newspapers and television news bulletins – websites, blogs and news outlets are driving political debate and existing news organisations are now placing a greater emphasis on multi-media platforms – not least to encourage more participation in the political process.

BBC Democracy Live is a perfect example of this. An on-line channel that now streams live the proceedings of all legislative bodies in the UK, including the National Assembly for Wales.

This is especially relevant as the Assembly celebrates its 10th anniversary, as it underpins its strategic communications goals for the next decade of devolution.

Senedd TV has been streaming live, proceedings of Assembly Plenary and Committee meetings, since 2008 and anyone can embed recorded versions of these proceedings on their own website. The Assembly is also proactively engaging with voters through its social networking sites on Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, Youtube and through its e-petitions system.

Danish pupils use web in exams

niacedc — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:51:26 +0000

In Denmark, the government has taken the bold step of allowing pupils full access to the internet during their final school year exams…more