ESCOLA Module 1 Digital Inclusion

Module 1 - Digital Inclusion
This programme has been funded with
support from the European Commission

ESCOLA | DIGITAL TEACHING TOOLS FOR ENGINEERING LABS
Objective:
The objective of this module is to get an
introduction into new technologies that are
developing in the world and how can we use those
for promoting digital equality.
Expected learning outcomes:
• Understand that digital inclusion is more than just
access to the internet and the skills to use it
• Know the importance of digital inclusion
• Digital Intelligence – what is it?
INTRODUCTION
Most people enjoy the spoils that come with technology, but its growing prevalence is an increasing disadvantage for the
most vulnerable in our community. Digital inclusion is critical to stopping this trend.
Simply put, digital inclusion is using technology as a means to create social inclusion. To build a digitally inclusive community,
we need everyone to:
• have access to affordable broadband and devices (digital access)
• have the right skills and confidence to use the internet (digital literacy)
• be able to use technology to improve their quality of life and get out of poverty (digital enablement).

The route to digital inclusion
Aspects of digital inclusion01
02
03 Key goals for digital inclusion
This programme has been funded with support from the European Commission. The author is
solely responsible for this publication (communication) and the Commission accepts no
responsibility for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.
04 Digital Intelligence
05 Summary

1. Aspects of digital inclusion

Digital inclusion is about bridging this ‘digital divide’.
It’s based on the premise that all Europeans should be able to
make full use of digital technologies:
• to manage their health and wellbeing
• access education and services
• organise their finances
• connect with friends, family, and the world beyond
WHAT IS DIGITAL INCLUSION?

DIGITAL BENEFITS
As more of our daily interactions and activities move online, digital
technologies bring a growing range of important benefits. From the
convenience of online banking, to accessing vital services, finding
information, and staying in touch with friends and family.

However, these benefits are not being shared equally: some groups and
individuals still face real barriers to participation.
In recent years the digital divide has narrowed, but it has also deepened.
DIGITAL DIVIDE

As the internet becomes the default medium for
everyday exchanges, information-sharing, and
access to essential services, the disadvantages of
being offline grows greater.
Being connected is fast becoming a necessity,
rather than a luxury.
BEING CONNECTED – NECESSITY OR LUXURY?

The goal of digital inclusion is to enable everyone to access and use digital
technologies effectively. It goes beyond simply owning a computer or having
access to a smartphone.
At its heart, digital inclusion is about social and economic participation:
using online and mobile technologies to improve skills, enhance quality of
life, educate, and promote wellbeing across the whole of society.
GOAL OF DIGITAL INCLUSION

Digital inclusion poses both a complex challenge and an important goal –
one that calls for a coordinated effort from multiple organisations, across
many sectors.
If the benefits of digital technology are to be shared by everyone, barriers
to inclusion must first be identified and tackled.
Access and Affordability are part of the picture, but a person’s Digital Ability
(made up of their skills, online activities, and attitudes to digital technology)
also plays a key role in helping or hindering participation.
COMPLEXITY OF DIGITAL INCLUSION

HOW TO MEASURE DIGITAL INCLUSION?
Recent international efforts to measure digital inclusion or engagement
include the 2017 Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI). This index
summarises digital performance in European Union member states based
on five main factors: connectivity, human capital, use of the internet,
integration of digital technology, and digital public services.

Source: European Commission - Press release “How digital is your country? Europe improves but still needs to close digital gap” March 2017
DESI RANKINGS FOR YEAR 2018

The Connectivity dimension measures the
deployment of broadband infrastructure
and its quality. Access to fast and ultrafast
broadband-enabled services is a necessary
condition for competitiveness.
FACTOR 1: CONNECTIVITY

The Human Capital dimension measures the skills needed to take
advantage of the possibilities offered by digital technologies.
FACTOR 2: HUMAN CAPITAL/DIGITAL SKILLS

The Use of Internet Services dimension
accounts for a variety of online activities, such
as the consumption of online content (videos,
music, games, etc.) video calls, as well as online
shopping and banking.
FACTOR 3: USE OF INTERNET SERVICES BY CITIZENS

The Integration of Digital Technology
dimension measures the digitisation of
businesses and e-commerce. By adopting
digital technologies, businesses can enhance
efficiency, reduce costs and better engage
customers and business partners. Furthermore,
the Internet as a sales outlet offers access to
wider markets and potential for growth.
FACTOR 4: INTEGRATION OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY BY BUSINESSES

The Digital Public Services dimension measures
the digitisation of public services, focusing on
eGovernment and eHealth. Modernisation and
digitisation of public services can lead to
efficiency gains for the public administration,
citizens and businesses alike.
FACTOR 5: DIGITAL PUBLIC SERVICES

2. The route to digital inclusion

According to the many reports nearly 30% of European Union
population lack the basic digital skills that are needed to experience the
full benefits of the web. And if we look strictly at business, nearly a
third of small to medium size businesses (SMEs) don’t have a website.
STATE OF DIGITAL INCLUSION

This lack of digital inclusion is having a detrimental effect across the
board; not just on the progression of digital in general, but on business
growth, and the economy too. And as we adopt digital more and more,
the public sector is also starting to integrate it – something which is going
to affect everyone, regardless of their digital skills and experience.

The Governments is making strides to deliver its services digitally, so
this issue needs to be addressed quickly. If not, this could become a
barrier for some members of the population when they try to complete
tasks that are necessary to their lives; like paying council tax or their TV
license, for example.

Older users (60+) aren’t familiar with their own devices - whether that be
a Smartphone, desktop, or iPad - and therefore have difficulty with simple
tasks like maintaining them. Whether it is virus protection, updating apps,
or simply operating a device - seemingly small things for the average user
often leave older users confused.
Older users are an example of just one group being affected by digital
inclusion. It is likely that there are a number of other user groups being
marginalised, including those with disabilities, or those from lower-economic
backgrounds without access to the devices needed to access the web.
ADAPTATION OF AGING POPULATION

3. Key Goals for Digital Inclusion

The ability to actually get online and
connect to the internet is obviously
the first port of call when it comes to
ensuring everyone is clued up on
digital.
WEB ACCESS

Not being able to navigate the web through lack
of digital skills is another big barrier. Although
there is now an increased focus on this in
schools so it’s not likely to be an issue in years
to come – right now it is.
Digital businesses, key influencers, and charities
must work together to provide guidance and
advice for those that need digital skills to gain
them.
SKILLS

Within groups that have never used
the internet before, some are
ignorant to its benefits. As mentioned
above: the ability to bank, shop, pay
bills, find important information and
engage in social interaction, are all big
motivations for getting online.
MOTIVATION

If we educate people of its benefits,
they are more likely to use the
internet. And this can only be a boost
for the economy and our businesses
in the long run.
MOTIVATION

Particularly for the older generations (albeit
not exclusively), we have found a big issue
with trust. The online space can be
overwhelming and it’s not surprising that
inputting credit card details into a website
to purchase something, for example, makes
those that aren’t clued up quite nervous.
TRUST

And with the news covering a different story
about big businesses being hacked online every
other day, the issue of trust might be one of the
biggest barriers we face when it comes to digital
inclusion. It’s likely that overcoming this will
involve the same tactics as helping people gain
skills – the more they know, and the more they
are clued up on protecting themselves against
security threats, and the more comfortable they
will feel.
TRUST

4. Digital Intelligence

Digital intelligence or “DQ” is the set of social,
emotional and cognitive abilities that enable
individuals to face the challenges and adapt to
the demands of digital life.
These abilities can broadly be broken down
into eight interconnected areas.
DEFINITION OF DIGITAL INTELLIGENCE

DIGITAL INTELLIGENCE - ABILITIES

The ability to create and manage
one’s online identity and
reputation. This includes an
awareness of one's online
persona and management of the
short-term and long-term
impact of one's online presence.
DIGITAL IDENTITY

The ability to use digital devices
and media, including the
mastery of control in order to
achieve a healthy balance
between life online and offline.
DIGITAL USE

The ability to manage risks
online (e.g. cyberbullying,
grooming, radicalization) as well
as problematic content (e.g.
violence and obscenity), and to
avoid and limit these risks.
DIGITAL SAFETY

The ability to be empathetic and
build good relationships with
others online.
DIGITAL EMOTIONAL
INTELLIGENCE

The ability to communicate and
collaborate with others using
digital technologies and media.
DIGITAL COMMUNICATION

The ability to find, evaluate,
utilize, share and create content
as well as competency in
computational thinking.
DIGITAL LITERACY

The ability to understand and
uphold personal and legal rights,
including the rights to privacy,
intellectual property, freedom of
speech and protection from hate
speech.
DIGITAL RIGHTS

Digital security is the protection
of this online identity. Criminals
are finding new ways to operate
and steal information from
digital users for their own
personal gain.
DIGITAL SECURITY

Digital security is an all-
encompassing term which
includes the tools you can use to
secure your identity, assets and
technology in the online and
mobile world.
DIGITAL SECURITY

5. Summary

Why Is Digital Inclusion Essential?
• Improved education and employment outcomes, for example as individuals
enhance their qualifications and this improves their earnings and/or their
probability of finding employment;
• Improved health and well being outcomes, for example through access to
improved health information and health service;
• Efficiency savings for public service providers enabled by greater use of online
information;
• Potential benefits for consumers able to purchase a wider range of products at
lower prices.
SUMMARY

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Thank You

1.European Commission (2017). ‘The Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI). Europa.eu.
2. Go On UK (n.d.). „The Digital Inclusion Outcomes Framework”, Go-on.co.uk.
3. Digitale Medien in der Suchtprävention und Gesundheitsförderung, Kanton Zürich Bildungsdirektion Mittelschul- und
Berufsbildungsamt, September 2017
4. https://digitalinclusionindex.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Australian-Digital-Inclusion-Index-2017_v2.pdf
5. http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-17-347_en.htm
6.https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/492889/DCMSDigitalSkillsR
eportJan2016.pdf
7. Digital inclusion: The concept and strategies for people with mental health difficulties, S. Farooq, CDJ.Taylor, N. Gire, M. Riley, N.
Caton, N. Husain, Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry 2015, Vol. 49(9) 772 –773
8. https://tweakyourbiz.com/technology/8-netiquette-rules-to-ensure-security-on-the-internet
9. Towards digital inclusion – engaging older people in the ‘digital world’ , C. W. Olphert, L. Damodaran , A. J. May Department of
Information Science, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK, Accessible Design in the Digital World Conference 2005
10. Digital inclusion: an analysis of social disadvantage and the information society. , E. Helsper, Department for Communities and
Local Government, London, UK. ISBN 9781409806141, 2008.
11. 2013 Digital Inclusion Survey: Survey Findings and Results, Information Policy & Access Center University of Maryland College
Park
REFERENCES

11. Rural Public Libraries and Digital Inclusion: Issues and Challenges, B. Real, J.C. Bertot, P.T. Jaeger, Information Technology and
Libraries, Vol 33 No1 2014
12. http://www.behaviourworksaustralia.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/BWA-Digital-Inclusion-Report-of-Online-Behaviours-
in-Australia-2016.pdf
13. http://www.pewinternet.org/2013/09/25/whos-not-online-and-why/
14. https://www.ntia.doc.gov/files/ntia/publications/exploring_the_digital_nation_-_americas_emerging_online_experience.pdf
REFERENCES

ESCOLA Module 1 Digital Inclusion

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