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1. What is the Connected Community?
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One of the primary strategic objectives for Rotherham in 2005-2006 is to broaden the community actively connected to learning through ICT. The Connected Community project is proposed to achieve this aim by extending, where possible and appropriate, the existing Rotherham Grid for Learning in order to deliver corresponding services and technology infrastructure for local businesses and communities.
The Connected Community is currently completing its planning phase with a view to a pilot service in early 2006. |
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2. How was the Connected Community project conceived? |
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A feasibility study revealed that a pilot project could be created that would allow a detailed evaluation of the potential for a more far reaching Grid for Learning. It looked at which complementary ICT services could be provided through an integrated infrastructure to enable “anywhere, anytime” services. The study was produced in consultation with a range of potential stakeholders, including;
- Local businesses
- Community Groups
- The Education Sector
The feasibility study concluded that the Rotherham Connected Community Pilot project (RCCP) would be a worthwhile exercise and a set of detailed specifications for the pilot were subsequently produced. The specifications described a set of services that would be evaluated throughout the pilot and the infrastructure required in order to deliver them to the stakeholders. |
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3. What services will the Connected Community provide? |
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The feasibility study revealed a particular interest in day-to-day practical services such as:
- Video Conferencing
- Video on Demand
- Telephony services
- Internet Access
- Email
- Instant messaging
One of the more innovative leading edge services that the pilot Connected Community project will provide is the ‘Virtual Classroom’. This alternative to Video Conferencing allows schools and communities all over the world to connect to each other and participate in interactive lessons and meetings. |
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4. Where will the Connected Community be? |
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The pilot project aims to interconnect a representative cross-section of Rotherham organisations such as local industry, training providers and communities in the Rotherham area for the purpose of proving the technologies and evaluating the new services.
Therefore the Connected Community will make use of the existing Rotherham Grid for Learning network, which will be extended to reach selected pilot locations where appropriate. It is expected that a number of public and community venues across the borough will be able to participate. These will include village halls, visitor attractions and similar locations in addition to the schools that are already connected to the Rotherham Grid for Learning.
Many of the participants are already cooperating on existing projects relevant to this work - the pilot project will help to bring these to a wider audience. Although many of the services will be available via standard Internet connections, others will demand higher performance technologies and will only be available at selected venues during the pilot project. |
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5. Why is this happening in Rotherham, are there any similar projects happening in the UK? |
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The project is happening in Rotherham because it is an initiative of the Rotherham Lifelong Learning Partnership (RLLP). There are similar projects taking place in the UK and across the world, both in terms of the technology being used and services being delivered. However, the Rotherham pilot appears to be leading the way in terms of a holistic, integrated approach, which as attracted the attention of potential partners such as Microsoft.
There are similar community-focused models that are underway in Rotherham such as the Dinnington Area Regeneration Trust (DART), which are being used as exemplars for the Rotherham Connected Community Project in terms of wide area wireless solutions in local centres that provide applications hosting and technical support.
To read more about this Download the DART and RCCP Showcase (PDF)
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6. Why is the Connected Community important? |
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Research has revealed that people who are already motivated to use ICT in their daily lives will continue to develop this use, while others see little use for technology, arguably because of a 'traditional' perception of personal computing as limited to word processing, spreadsheets and so on.
If new opportunities to use ICT on a broader level are created then more people can be motivated to use it, therefore avoiding a widening ‘digital divide’ between converts and non-users. Unless countered, the digital divide could be very damaging potentially resulting in technologically ‘disenfranchised’ communities in a highly connected world, a needless exclusion that can be easily avoided.
In addition it is forecast that some 3 billion 'new capitalists' in the developing economies of Asia will be connected to the Internet by 2010 with the vast majority of these using services based on broadband technologies. Regions such as South Yorkshire are indeed in danger of being left behind unless we act quickly to effect real 'step changes'. |
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7. Who is making the Connected Community happen? |
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The Rotherham Learning Partnership is steering the project that will build on the RMBC infrastructure, which is operated by RBT. A consortium of South Yorkshire companies led by Dunelm Services has performed the feasibility and specification work, working with Bradwell IT Solutions, 3 Peaks Communications and Networks By Wireless. It is hoped that Yorkshire Forward will support the pilot phase. Microsoft is expected to be amongst the supporting partners.
The project also aims to develop linkages with key developments happening outside the Rotherham Borough, such as Robin Hood Airport, the English Institute of Sport and Doncaster Knowledge exchange. |
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8. How will the Connected Community benefit Rotherham? |
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If the project continues beyond the pilot scheme it will give Rotherham residents the opportunity fully to participate in an increasingly connected society. During the pilot phase access to the full service capabilities will be restricted to specific pilot locations, including a number of community venues and wireless ‘hotspots’ spread throughout the borough. Anyone within reach of these venues should be able to get involved.
The value of the Connected Community will be formed through the development of three key objectives:
- Vocational learning models for broadband
- Community opportunities that will engage new adopters with access and learning
- Services that can be adopted by the sub-regional broadband project as well as the Rotherham Grid for Learning.
hile focused on providing services for Rotherham, this project aims to be of value for the region as a whole.
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9. Will people see any changes?
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There will be little visible physical impact, but there may be some significant changes to work patterns and social behaviour. |
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10. When is this going to happen? |
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The pilot project aims to start in October 2006 and will run for two years. |
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