I have been reading the DELG Report from the Learning and Skills Council in the UK -
http://www.trainingfoundation.com/research/default.asp?PageID=836
"There is a related widespread concern about the digital divide, and a fear that existing participation patterns could be reinforced through DEL, as the social groups who make most use of technology are those most likely to participate in learning. The reviews identified many local, national, and international plans and strategies that seek to increase inclusion in society, and participation in lifelong learning, through the application of ICT to bridge the digital divide. The reviews have also found research that detects some signs of a reduction in the digital divide in the USA with, for example, lower income groups making more use of the internet".
It's exercising me because it charges all local councils to come up with an E-learning strategy and I am part of a group working on this in my locality. What's been very apparent is the amount of resource that has been put into for example provising MLEs for schools and colleges - most of which have barely been used because a) there was no training for the staff and b) the products didn't address the needs of the end user. Is this a familiar story?
You might be interested in the Wired Up Communities project in 7 UK cities http://www.dfes.gov.uk/wired/index.shtml and the Excellence in Cities projects http://www.standards.dfes.gov.uk/excellence/
