This house proposes that while beginning to embrace the benefits of online learning communities, the adult learning sector has failed to provide the support adults need in e-safety and e-responsibility

Supporting the motion : Simon Beard

Head of Learning Resources and E-Learning Development

City Lit

Why?

The nature of adult education

Short courses

Learning outcomes specific to the subject

Learning French for 2 hours per week – not IT

Assumptions made about knowledge – prerequisite knowledge might just be “word processing and use of internet”

Exceptions

IT classes

Family learning

Learners Our learners increasingly use technology – however

May not be confident – may get family to download, update…

May be scared by news reports

Think that e-safety is for children

Special at risk groups

Older people

Learning disabilities

Deaf people

Trusting

Poor technical English

Technology offers great communication options – with potential issues

What are we asking learners to do

Access the internet

At home – keeping computer updated – antivirus and other software

Shared environment (college or library) – protecting personal data

Email – understanding spam / phishing

Social networks (Twitter / Facebook)

Cloud systems – sharing (private, invited, public)

College systems – Moodle, Mahara

BYOD – mobile phones

What can be done

Information

Printed

Web – online course

Posters / mouse mats

Contact point for advice – approachable service – in person, telephone, email

Staff training- adding simple advice as part of course