Learning in rural communities: fear of information communications technology leading to lifelong learning?

Abstract Set against the context of information communications technology (ICT) development in rural areas worldwide, this paper explores research accompanying two projects supported by the European Social Fund (ESF) which took place in the West Midlands region of the United Kingdom, between January 1999 and December 2000. These projects targeted groups which still remain under-represented in learning in the UK, i.e. women, the unemployed and those without ICT access and awareness. Here participants were primarily unemployed women from rural areas, on programmes designed to promote learning, leading to higher level awards and to deeper understanding of ICT. Among the outputs were 92% completion rates for 12-month programmes including deadlines, examinations and qualifications. However, the paper focuses on the community impacts of these projects, since wider effects were observed than simply those related to women returning to learning. Higher and further education, schools, family and non-family members were all involved in these projects, which had high levels of involvement from those key new learners for whom school was a painful memory. Further research is recommended to provide a more holistic view of rural communities and their needs and of ways to develop ICT in these areas. Given the impact on attitudes to school and engagement with it as a result of the projects, research is also called for to explore how deep-seated antipathy to formal learning can be changed by community-based initiatives