Digital Britain Report: Becta highlighhts 'significant implications for education, training & skills'

"Becta believes the proposals contained in the report will have significant implications for the education, training and skills sectors. We are particularly interested in the recommendations for universal connectivity, digital participation and skills, content development and e-safety. These areas are closely linked with Becta's role to create a more exciting, rewarding and successful experience for all learners through the effective use of technology. We therefore look forward to working alongside schools, colleges, government and other partners to deliver the transformation The Digital Britain Report envisages.

"We are particularly pleased that the role of our £300m Home Access programme, which brings computers and connectivity to parents, children and carers in low income families, is recognised in the report. In its pilot phase in Oldham and Suffolk, Home Access has successfully helped families gain the benefits - both social and educational - of being connected to the internet and we fully expect to see this success replicated around England as the national roll-out of this programme begins later in the year. We estimate that up to 400,000 children and young people could benefit through this and related schemes. Of course it will also support adult learning and give whole families access to online public and commercial services.

"We support the focus on the crucial issues of digital participation and skills, and the endorsement for Baroness Morris' review recommending a 'digital life skills entitlement for all adults'. Becta was pleased to provide the professional advice and research for this review. This is an important element in a wider programme of curriculum change, which includes the recent Rose Review of the primary curriculum, to ensure that children and adults have a platform of digital capability on which they can build higher levels of learning of many kinds and we urge speedy action on it.

"Becta will continue to press for yet further improvements to the level of connectivity available in schools, colleges and training institutions. It's vital that learners of all ages experience the best technology tools, so that they can transfer the confidence and experience gained in education to the workplace of the future.

"Becta's role is to ensure that the whole of the education and training system can take advantage of the benefits, efficiencies and value of the best technology. We know it can improve learners' motivation, progress and results. We will continue to work resolutely with everyone in education and training, as well as the broadcasting and technology sectors, to make sure every learner can seize the opportunities of the digital age."

Related links to this article:
Becta

Related articles:
Digital Britain Report: Government plans a 21st century knowledge economy
Gordon Brown says: "The internet is as vital as water and gas"
Digital Britain Report: Read the exec summary here [part 1 of 2]…
Digital Britain Report: Read the exec summary here [part 2 of 2]…
Digital Britain Report: Government consults on next steps to take…
Digital Britain Report: Directgov responds & says it's up to the challenge
Government appoints Martha Lane Fox as 'Champion for digital inclusion'

Related links to this article:
Department for Business Innovation& Skills
Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Background information to this article:
The Digital Britain report [Exec summary] is at this link

The Digital Britain report [Full version] is at this link

• The community radio consultation seeks views on changes to the current licensing regime, including a five year licence extension and removal of some of the funding restrictions placed on local radio.
• A consultation on legislation to address illicit peer-to-peer (p2p) file-sharing this sets out the government's legislative approach for dealing with the problem of the use of p2p technology to unlawfully share copyright material.
• Analysys Mason was commissioned by DCMS to assess the drivers of, and barriers to, creative ambition in digital media in the UK.
• Chapter 7 of the Digital Britain report sets out a new system for classifying video games, we have also published the official government response to the consultation.
• Digital Britain: Attitudes towards internet content among adults (BMRB for DCMS, March 2009).
• The Office of Fair Trading review of the local and regional media merger regime
• Digital Britain Summit Children's Panel output.
• Intellectual Property Office  - Copyright in a digital world:  What role for a Digital Rights Agency?
• Terms of Reference for the Digital Champion and Task Force members.