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Technology and learning

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Residents.net

The residents.net projects provided free computers and subsidised Internet access to over 100 community groups in Hull (see the project page for more details).  The project was successful, with lots of groups benefiting.  This is detailed in the report Communities and Computers. 

The model used in the project- giving out free devices and subsidised Internet access, and letting people learn themselves, with technical support and training available- has proved to be successful.  There were several reasons for this.

The fact that the PC's were located in a familiar location for the group, such as their premises or a member's house, gave people confidence to have a go with the computer.  Some who had been wary of using computers, especially older people, took the opportunity to use one, and then increased their skills and enthusiasm from there! It was important that they were dealing with an unfamiliar device in a familiar location, rather than dealing with it in a location that they weren't used to and comfortable in.  The fact that the computer was where groups met also gave lots of opportunities for this to take place, and to draw others into using it.

It was also found that a lot of peer learning took place with the computers.  In community centres, young people helped less proficient older people to do tasks, and in many groups, more skilled members informally helped other members to increase their IT skills.   This was an important way in which people increased their skills.

Research into the project found that around 85% of groups felt their IT skills had increased 'a fair bit' or 'a lot' through having the computer, showing the success of this model of learning.  However, there were several factors that were important in achieving this success:

• Groups had free technical support through the project, which meant that problems were quickly fixed. Most could not afford the cost of commercial support.
• Free training was available either at the volcom offices, or at the groups location.  This training was vital in helping groups get going, and to have the opportunity to learn things formally. The fact that the training could be done at their location helped those who were less mobile.
• The fact that the computer was free, and the connection costs cheap made it accessible to groups, as most could not afford to buy and run a computer.

These are important issues to deal with if using this model of learning to get groups using new technologies.