Free & low-cost computer scheme
Information from Connecting Bristol
“We want Bristol to be a truly inclusive and connected digital city where anyone who wants a computer at home can have one and where help to get connected is easily available.
We realise that this is a considerable task as 15% of Bristol residents say they have neverbeen on line.
To help achieve our vision we will create a citywide scheme to make available a free (or low cost) recycled computer, and advice about affordable Internet connectivity, to individuals and families who are on a low income or who experience other disadvantages.”
To find out whether you are eligible for a free computer or learn more about the schemes that exist please visit the Connecting Bristol website.
1st meeting of Bristol’s ICT Training Forum
SBDN invites you to join us for the first meeting of the Bristol ICT Training Forum on Wednesday 9th June, 9-11am, at Knowle West Media Centre.
Established following our Collaborative ICT Training event in March 2010, the forum will gather ICT training providers working in a range of sectors across Bristol. Space is limited; please reserve your free place through the Eventbrite website.
Possible topics for discussion include:
· an online presence for the forum
· setting up a single telephone number for people to call for ICT training advice
· funding opportunities
· consortium bidding
· skill sharing
· recommendations the forum could make
· future meetings (locations and formats)
· joint events
We would welcome suggestions of topics to discuss; please contact Makala or Rachel. Please feel free to circulate this information to ICT trainers or organisations you feel would benefit from attending.
We look forward to seeing you (or Tweeting you!)
Computer Course in Brislington
There will be a free 6-week basic computer course at Brislington Enterprise College from Monday 14th June until Monday 19th July (4-6pm).
Learn about using computers, the Internet and sending e-mails in a small and informal group. Call Ann Stobbs on 07796050503 to book a place.
Micro-chips and Mega-bites
Micro-chips and Mega-bites Event
Friday 21 May, 4-6pm, Knowle West Media Centre
SBDN is celebrating the annual Silver Surfers’ Day with an afternoon of fun, family-focussed computer training, topped off with a free fish and chip supper.
As this year’s Silver Surfers’ Day has an intergenerational focus, SBDN asks everyone to bring an older or younger relative and spend an hour swapping skills and interests, teaching each other how to use digital technology.
Afterwards, our young ‘micro-chips’ and older ‘mega-bites’ can enjoy a delicious supper from the local chip shop.
Booking is essential for this event. Visit Eventbrite to book your free place.
For more information please contact Makala or call 0117 353 2895.
Minimum 2 tickets per order
Collaborative ICT Training Event – Places still available
This breakfast event is for organisations who are involved in ICT training (or would like to be) and will provide opportunities for you to meet, network, debate and explore future collaborations.
The event will generate a comprehensive list of services and provision, with links to details and contacts. The event will open at 8:30am, starting at 9:00am. Continental refreshments will be provided.
Tuesday 23rd March – 8.30-11.30am, breakfast event
Knowle West Media Centre, Leinster Avenue, Knowle West, Bristol, BS4 1NL
More information and registration at Eventbrite
We look forward to seeing you there! We’ll be blogging and Twittering the event for those of you not able to make it: follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/sbdn
New Computer Training Sessions
SBDN have launched a new series of computer workshops:
For South Bristol
An Introduction to WordPress – Workshops
On Thursday mornings our trainers are holding Talk About Local workshops, practical sessions covering a range of web topics, including how to build websites using WordPress software.
10am-12pm. April 1st, 8th, 15th & 22nd. To book a free place please visit Eventbrite.
The popular computer drop-in sessions continue on Wednesdays (10-11.30am and 1.30-3pm) at Knowle West Media Centre All are welcome, whatever your level of ability.
For Knowle West
knowlewest.co.uk Content Workshops
On Thursday afternoons our trainer is giving local organisations the opportunity to receive training and advice in how to manage their own section of the Knowle West community website. They can also learn about generating stories and other content. Please contact Makala to arrange to attend a session on 0117 353 2895 / makala@kwmc.org.uk.
Digital Communities – Top 3 Ideas
The following 3 ideas had the most votes from the voters at the Community & Technology event:
1. Check the accessibility of the tools (including free sites like Youtube, Twitter, etc) before using them or suggesting that others use them. A session on assistive software and what sites it works with. What are the cheap versions of software and hardware groups can get hold of for disabled people to engage with?
2. Recommended training sessions: running photo and video competitions (posting them online and culminating in an exhibition); using Facebook groups to campaign; staff and visitors blogging about meeting outcomes and actions; promoting blogs; using Survey Monkey or similar to collate opinions; giving short, specific training sessions on many subjects – at differnet times and places – e.g. Youtube, Twitter; using social media tools to market to, and receive from, local communities; holding a Daniel Priestly event at Knowle West Media Centre.
3. The writers of lengthy, dense strategy documents that are posted online to distill the information into a concise summary. E.g. ‘How does this affect you?’ ‘It means…’ The readers to inform the writers if they are dissatisfied.
Any comments? Post them below on our blog or Twitter us!
Digital Communities – Results
Following rounds of energetic debate and the waving of many coloured voting cards, we can reveal the ideas shortlisted by the participants of today’s Community & Technology event.
How can we create and support digital communities in Bristol through the use of technology?
G – number of votes to take the idea forward R – number of votes to dismiss the idea
1. Check the accessibility of the tools (including free sites like Youtube, Twitter, etc) before using them or suggesting that others use them. A session on assistive software and what sites it works with. What are the cheap versions of software and hardware groups can get hold of for disabled people to engage with? (28G, 0R)
2. Short, concise online voting systems used for consultations: Yes/No (14G, 10R)
3. Recommended training sessions: running photo and video competitions (posting them online and culminating in an exhibition); using Facebook groups to campaign; staff and visitors blogging about meeting outcomes and actions; promoting blogs; using Survey Monkey or similar to collate opinions; giving short, specific training sessions on many subjects – at differnet times and places – e.g. Youtube, Twitter; using social media tools to market to, and receive from, local communities; holding a Daniel Priestly event at Knowle West Media Centre. (28G, 0R)
4. Use Google Alerts to get information on local news and events. (16G, 2R)
5. The writers of lengthy, dense strategy documents that are posted online to distill the information into a concise summary. E.g. ‘How does this affect you?’ ‘It means…’ The readers to inform the writers if they are dissatisfied. (28G, 0R)
6. Access to a fast digital broadband network all over Bristol, minimum of 2MB. (18G, 1R)
7. Free training sessions for residents in using IT – creating websites that are accessible and using all of these sites and applications. (22G 0R)
8. Research the effect online interaction has on offline activity (e.g. do online forums increase turnout at voting?) (19G, 3R)
9. More use of audio, not just video. Distribution as podcasts or similar. (21G, 0R)
10. Finding out more ways to pull together all community groups in Bristol online (19G, 2R)
Digital Communities – Ideas
The following ideas for creating digital communities in Bristol have been suggested by participants at today’s event. Any comments?
1. Check the accessibility of the tools to use (including free sites like Youtube, Twitter, etc) before using them or suggesting others use them.
2. A session on assistive software and what sites it works with. What are the cheap versions of software and hardware groups can get hold of for disabled people to engage with?
3. Using voting online for consultations.
4. Photo and video competitions – post online – exhibition
5. Using Facebook groups to campaign.
6. Staff and visitors blogging about meeting outcomes and actions.
7. Giving training sessions to residents to promote blogs – and them contributing to our site.
8. Using Survey Monkey or similar to collate opinions.
9. Short, specific training sessions on many subjects – at differnet times and places – e.g. Youtube, Twitter, Geotags.
10. Use Google Alerts to get information on local news and events.
11. Filtering out the key facts and impacts from lengthy, dense strategy documents posted online. Distilling the information into a concise summary, e.g. ‘How does this affect you?’ ‘It means…’
12. Access to a fast digital broadband network all over Bristol.
13. Accessibility concerns to be addressed as well as the affordability of using high speed Internet connections.
14. How can we take advantage of social media tools to market to, and receive from, local communities, using Facebook, etc? Hold a Daniel Priestly event at Knowle West Media Centre?
15. Free training sessions for residents in using IT – creating websites that are accessible and using all of these sites and applications.
16. Research in to the effect of online interaction on offline activity.
17. More use of audio, not just video. Distribution as podcasts or similar.
18. Training on accesibility – clear notes uploaded online.
19. Ways to pull together all community groups in Bristol together online – everything is so fragmented.
‘How can we make it work in Bristol?’
At today’s Community & Technology event we’re asking: how can digital communities be developed and supported in the city of Bristol? This afternoon we’ll be voting on ideas suggested by the participants; why not make a suggestion yourself?
How can communities influence / take responsibility / develop & grow / develop pride / develop ownership?
How can organisations best represent themselves / attract participation (traffic, content, etc) / exert influence / share information / cross-refer?
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