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Digital Literacy, why it matters

Andrea ParolaEuropean e-Skills Association – General Manager

European e-Skills Association

EeSA Members

European e-Skills Association

Digital Literacy.... Who is concerned.. What is it?

• It affects all persons that because of gender, age, disability, income and/or geographical location do not have access to internet.

• 1997, Mr. Paul Glister: « Digital Literacy is the set of attitudes, understanding and skills to handle and communicate information and knowledge effectively, in a variety of media and formats »

• 2004, European Commission : « ICT user skills: the capabilities required for the effective application of ICT systems and devices by individual. ICT users apply systems as tools in support of their own work. User skills cover the use of common software tools and of specialised tools supporting business functions within industry. At the general level, they cover digital literacy. »

European e-Skills Association

European e-Skills Association

European e-Skills Association

EeSA Members in Action.... few examples

Cisco Academy:EU countries •Students: 258,141 (+25% of Networking Academy global student population)•Academies: 3376•Instructors: 6526

•Since 2001 Cisco has actively supported the rehabilitation of inmates in prisons in the UK, Hungary, Italy, France and Germany. Through training and mentorship programs, we are seeing a positive impact on recidivism and employment prospects for these students. In 2011 there are currently 40 active prison academies in Western Europe.

•Whilst there are many academies across the EU that are open to students with disabilities, in France, Italy, Germany and the UK, special projects have been established to meet the needs of physically and mentally handicapped students

European e-Skills Association

EeSA Memebrs in Action.... few examples

Microsoft• Microsoft committed 4.5m$ to fund 28 large NGO training programs over the next three years (2010-2013)• In 2010, Microsoft cash and software donations benefited 6,600 NGOs in Europe for a total amount of 80M$• Curricula and trainings are available in 12 languages• Microsoft training programs reached 4.6M European in 2010 

European Alliance on Skills for Employability was launched in 1996 at the presence of the President Barroso:• Its partners - Microsoft, State Street and Adecco Group - are committed to bringing information and communication technology skills training to disadvantaged populations across Europe to enhance the employment prospect

• Each year the Employability Alliance Awards celebrate the most innovative use of ICT training and skills programs adopted by non-profit organizations . The 2011 Awards will take place at the European Employment Week with the following three categories: Youth ; Volunteering and Active Aging.  

European e-Skills Association

EeSA Memebers in Action.... few examples

ORACLE Academy• Over 300,000 students and faculty and 1,500 education institutions across Europe currently

benefit from education programs and technical resources provided through the Oracle Academy and Oracle Education Foundation's ThinkQuest program.  We intend to continue our efforts to help students develop the skills necessary for life and work in the 21st century through state-of-the-art technology programs and professional development opportunities for educators

European Schoolnet:• Survey of Schools: ICT in Education (EU27, Norway, Turkey, Iceland, Croatia): The focus of

the study is students’ use, competence, and attitudes to ICT. Teacher and school level factors will be investigated as regards their impact on students.

• INSAFE Plus: Internet Safety Awareness for Europe

European e-Skills Association

This is what should be done: EC

• Digital Literacy, • Digital Competence, • eLiteracy, • Media Literacy, • e-Skills, • eCompetence , • Use of IST underpinned by basic skills in ICT, • Basic ICT skills, • Basic computer skills………

Clear the fog and tackle the jargon jungle:

European e-Skills Association

This is what should be done: EC and MS and Stakeholders

• Foster and promote the set-up of National e-Skills Association

• Structural Funds could be used to set-up national coordinating Agency/Association which would oversees how e-Skills are promoted/taught all life long

• Many competences remain at MS level, most of incentives are at EU level

• Stakeholders have and will continue to work with National Authorities, but more coordination is needed

European e-Skills Association

This is what should be done: EC and EP and Stakeholder

• A single, over arching, unique e-Skills event in 2014, covering all issues and policies related to e-Skills and run by 4 DGs

• Keep the close loop between all the services involved as all the stakeholders should keep in working together

• Preparatory Action on a e-Skills programme

European e-Skills Association