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Press Release

14 April 2009 (Brighton, UK): Global Digital Broadcast (GDB Secure) supports The Learning Revolution’s Informal Adult Learning pledge, in the latest educational drive from John Denham MP, Secretary of State for the Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS).

Launched at the Tate Modern, with an official pledge signing on Monday 23 March 2009, The Learning Revolution white paper, in which GDB Secure is included, is targeted to put informal learning and widening participation firmly back on the adult skills agenda; with the organisation running a network of computer centres helping people in deprived communities get online and informal learning at the heart of the matter.

The pledge involves seven commitments: to support the core principles and encourage others to sign up; to advocate wider participation, especially by those who have benefited least from learning; to find flexible ways of using existing spaces, or opening up new spaces for learning; to encourage and support learning activities organised by people for themselves; to embrace new ways of learning, including the use of information technology and broadcasting; to find work with new partners to increase informal adult learning opportunities; and to celebrate success.

Informal Adult Learning managing director, Helen Milner, comments: “It’s great to see the value of informal learning being recognised and supported. At its best, informal learning isn’t just a gateway to ‘formal’ learning or a home for hobbyists – it can be a route to social inclusion and mobility. That’s where this paper can make a real difference to real lives.”

She continues: “Digital skills appear in The Learning Revolution as both a subject for and means of informal learning. New technologies really can empower and motivate people to discover and create in whole new ways. This is an exciting time for skills and a chance to really make learning a possibility for those who most need opportunities and support them through the economic downturn. This ‘revolution’ is about bringing learning back to people, so they can own it, direct it and follow it as they see fit. That’s something I’m excited to be part of.”

IPTV specialist, GDB Secure, was specifically invited to take part in the pledge, having already presented its education platform, Educast, to John Denham and Alex Johnston of the DIUS, via local MP and DIUS member, Celia Barlow, who launched her own television channel on GDB’s network last year.

Educast is a new, secure, television content management platform and video resource archive which will be available in schools, colleges and universities, in addition to medical schools, training centres, evening schools and all educational facilities. It promotes live production, live learning, international collaboration, on-demand education and live television; and allows students to expand their studies, learn about media broadcast from industry professionals and take their content direct to television.

It was John Denham who first expressed an interest in Educast being expanded to include ‘third age education’.

Denham says: “Over the last year, I’ve had invigorating discussions with a wide spectrum of people and organisations, ranging from a small, voluntary-funded nature reserve, to a multi-national technology company. I continue to be astounded by the contribution of partners, old and new, who are joining with us to collectively rise to this challenge.”

He continues: “The white paper is the start of a new journey. The paper sets out how together we can sow the seeds of a new movement for learning. Government will spearhead this by investing in innovative new ideas that reach out to new learners, but it will take the continued efforts of all those who’ve been engaged with us to date, and many more, to continue the Learning Revolution.”

GDB Secure joins a list of organisations including: Channel 4; BT; Microsoft; Bupa; The Open University; Citizens Advice Bureau; government departments; and many more significant businesses and bodies who are supporting the pledge.

GDB Managing Director, Jim Deans, explains: “We have been working hard on Educast for the past year and it is excellent to see all our efforts and devotion to the cause recognised by the DIUS in this way. GDB is a communications company that enables people to exchange views and information across all levels and locations. This is what we are bringing to The Learning Revolution.”

He concludes: “Educast is a platform that acts as a stage for other people to shine.”

Both John Denham and Andy Burham, Secretary of State for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), gave keynote speeches at the launch.

View the article PDF and photographs on the new Educast website here: http://www.gdbsecure.com

ENDS

Notes to editors

About Educast:
Educast is a new, secure, television content management platform and video resource archive which is being offered to every school, college and university in the UK. Educast promotes live production, live learning, international collaboration, on-demand education and live television. Originally designed to complement existing media courses and bring the concept of local television to educational facilities, Educast allows students to expand their studies, learn about media broadcast from industry professionals and take their content direct to television.

Educast falls into three distinct areas: it enables students and education establishments to create their own television channels; it provides a library of video-on-demand resource and research content which students and teachers may access to support their lessons; and it provides an archive of video clips and rushes which may be used for editing purposes.

About the DIUS:
The Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) works on further and higher education, science, technology; and supports evidence based policy making across government, in essential support to national prosperity. The department’s remit covers post-19 learning, boosts take up of new technologies and delivers the skills businesses need. The department’s ministerial team includes Secretary of State Rt Hon John Denham MP, Lord Drayson, David Lammy, Sion Simon and Lord Young of Norwood Green.




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