Using Monkeys to Cross the Divide

What is this Survey Monkey link? What is Mike doing? He's going where?

And this is why I have created the survey on the Survey Monkey site: To help identify the needs of the community in and around the Canberra/Yass Valley region, for IT training. As an IT professional and former tertiary and vocational trainer, I believe that there is a need for greater access to affordable IT training. I am not relying on the online survey alone. Over the next couple of months I'll also be doing the regional markets, raising awareness, offering a paper-based survey, and talking with people. Coming to grips with the needs and wants of the Canberra/Yass Valley region. Got a question, or an IT problem, come and see me.

A better question might be, "what's the digital divide?". I believe that there is a real difference between the opportunities that exist in the city, compared to those in rural communities, for people to learn about and keep up with the changes in computers and technology. Governments have yet to bridge the gap, and may even be guilty of making it wider. If rural communities wish to keep up then learning opportunities must come from within the local community.

For some time, Australian governments have recognised a digital divide. There continues to be a difference in the levels of access to affordable information technology training between the city and rural areas. Governments have often funded courses aimed at various groups in the community; single parents returning to work, the disabled, recent migrants, the elderly. All worthy recipients. Often this training has been tied to the notion of making students job-ready, or ready for further education. And such education has often been focused in educational hubs, in major cities, at universities and tafes. But what about those in regional areas who want to learn, who do not qualify for a funded place, or, who just want to learn for the sake of learning, not necessarily to get a job, or to go to further study?

There is also the other empty equaliser of digital society, the National Broadband Network (NBN). A project that should bring equality of internet service to all Australians. Sadly it seems that those who are disadvantaged by the old system will be the last to receive the benefits of the NBN, perhaps 20 years later too.

Strange enough, the section of the community that has been left behind in both cases tends to be our rural and regional communities. As a recent arrival (blow-in) to such a community, it has been increasingly clear that there is still a difference. Living an hour outside the Nation's capital, (or anywhere) this should not be. Without equal opportunity, rural and regional areas will continue to loose jobs, business and population to the cities. The struggle for community viability will continue.

Whilst this may not be the only division of modern Australian society, this is one I believe, I can help address. We have seen how the regional farmer's markets have benefited local growers, craftsmen and consumers through the concept of buying locally. I believe there is similar benefits to be found in learning locally too.

Details of markets I'll be visiting will be posted as they are available