Mike raises some interesting points re information skills. When undertaking
work on the eLib SKIP (Skills for new Information Professionals) back in
1996 to look at the impact of IT (as it was then) on HE library (and some
computing) staff - most of them defined IT skills as using 'word' and
'spreadsheet' packages and then differentiated these from 'techie' skills
which they defined as knowing what goes on under the bonnet. (ECDL was
around then but few had heard of it). Even information professionals - pre
widespread use of the Internet - did not make the mental link between
information handling skills and ICT skills  When government talks of ICT
skills I guess they mean the same? ie. software packages and using email -
information handling skills seem to be invisible and abstract - many people
don't know what you are referring to and can't get a handle on what they
comprise.

I've also taught introductory Internet searching courses to HE staff and
students - neither group saw themselves as lacking in any particular skill.
They thought it was all 'touch of a button' stuff (hype abounds) and all
they needed was a bag of 'useful urls' to find exactly what they wanted. Or
they thought computers were designed to be complex and only the technical
could find stuff.

Conversely, there is the argument that says why should Joe Public bother to
acquire info handling skills when totally intuitive interfaces, search
engines, portals, gateways etc. are constantly being developed. By 2010
maybe the semantic and invisible web will have been made visible and context
searching will be available. Or maybe not. Enough of my rambles.Thanks for
reading this far.
Penny

Penny Garrod
Public Library Networking Focus
UKOLN
University of Bath BA2 7AY
email: [log in to unmask]
Tel: +44 (0)1225 386711
Fax: +44 (0)1225 385105

Networked Services Policy Taskgroup Issue Papers:
www.ukoln.ac.uk/public/earl/issuepapers/




----- Original Message -----
From: "Mike Maguire" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, August 02, 2002 10:05 AM
Subject: ICT to become a basic skill by 2010? : was FW: AS Biss: New Repo rt
on learning with new technology


> This is very good news all round, though we can't exactly hold our breath
> 'til 2010. If adopted, seems like common sense breaks out & could provide
> "easier"access for publibs to engage/join in delivering LSC funded
learning
> opportunities.
>
> Mind you, the cynic in me thinks that if by 2010 the schools/FE sectors
> haven't already firmly grasped this in mainstream, "UK PLC" will already
be
> in for a very rough ride. So the question is, by 2010, what sorts of "who"
> will be out there needing such an approach.
>
> Maybe "they" will get round to realising that "information handling" is
also
> a key life skill and perhaps a candidate for being considered a basic
> literacy component.
>
> Mike
>
> Mike Maguire
> Group Librarian S & E Devon
> Devon Library & Information Services
> tel 01392 384223
> fax 01392 384228
> mailto:[log in to unmask]
> http://www.devon.gov.uk/library/
> Unless otherwise stated the views expressed are
> personal and not necessarily those of Devon County Council
>
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: David Dawson [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> > Sent: 02 August 2002 09:30
> > To:   [log in to unmask]
> > Subject:      FW: AS Biss: New Report on learning with new technology
> >
> > Dear All
> >
> > A report from the taskforce on e-learning, headed by Steve Morrison, has
> > stated that Information Technology should be designated a basic skill
> > along with literacy and numeracy, with free computer courses for all.
> > The report looked at how to make post-16 learning easier to access, more
> > flexible and suited to the needs of individuals using new technologies.
> >
> > Education and Skills Secretary Estelle Morris welcomed the report's
> > contribution to thinking on the future of post-16 education.
> >
> > The report includes the following recommendations:
> >
> > *       Information and Communication Technology (ICT) should be
> > designated a basic skill by 2010 along with literacy and numeracy. This
> > would give everyone access to free courses to improve their basic IT
> > skills but focussing initially on 16-18 year olds in full or part-time
> > study; those in Modern Apprenticeships; the unemployed and people in
> > part-time work.
> >
> > *       The creation of 'College Online' - an expansion of Curriculum
> > Online into the post- 16 sector. This would give teachers and tutors in
> > the post-16 sector access to a bank of online learning resources to use
> > with their students to help make learning more exciting.
> >
> > *       National Mentoring Programme with 5,000 additional e-learning
> > mentors to support tutors online with a central database at
> > www.mentornet.org.uk <http://www.mentornet.org.uk>
> >
> > *       Development of an online 'careers adviser' - Which Way? To give
> > people easy access to advice on the most suitable learning for them
> > right the way through to job opportunities.
> >
> > *       Improvements in work-based learning - small businesses should be
> > supported and offered incentives to provide relevant occupational online
> > learning. Investors in People UK should include access to e-learning
> > opportunities as standard as part of its strategy to engage more small
> > businesses.
> >
> >
> > David Dawson
> > Senior ICT Adviser
> > Resource: The Concil for Museums, Libraries and Archives
> >
> > www.resource.gov.uk             www.peoplesnetwork.gov.uk
> >
> > Join the resourcenews email list at
> > www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/resourcenews.html
> > Join the Peoples Network email list at
> > www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/peoplesnetwork.html
> >
> >
> > The information contained in this e-mail and any attachments is
> > confidential.   If you have received it in error, you are on notice of
its
> > status.   It is intended solely for the addressee.   Any unauthorised
use
> > is strictly prohibited.  If you are not the intended recipient please
> > notify the sender immediately and delete the email and any attachments
> > from the system.
>