Abstract:

This paper will present preliminary findings, outcomes and conclusions from four European projects that try to bring ICT and web 2.0 closer to a variety of target groups.

Fast Track into Information Technology Ltd. (FIT Ltd.) is dedicated to develop strategies and tools which enhance digital inclusion and educational innovation. It has incorporated web 2.0 technologies into four projects funded under the Lifelong Learning Programme in order to:
- support continuous professional development (CPD) of teachers in the use of ICT (eTuition and eTQF projects)
- support integration of migrants into new society and sustain contact with country of origin (MigrantICT project)
- support digital inclusion of senior citizens (S@niors project)

Two projects addressing teachers’ professional development in the use of ICTs are testing the use of social networking as a mean for creating teachers’ community of practice and a platform for exchange of ideas, experiences and resources. Two social network type websites www.etuitionnetwork.eu and www.eteachnetwork.eu have been established for this purpose. eTuition Network is supporting teachers in Vocational Education and Training and eTeach Network will support teachers across all education levels in Ireland, Italy and UK.

Migrant ICT project is incorporating ICT and social networking into a programme designed for migrants to support their integration and learning in a new country. START Bicultural Learning in a New Culture programme is made of four modules and ICT including social networking is one of them.

Web 2.0 technology and user created content has a great potential with older populations. Within a project called Seniors – Digital Engagement of Senior Citizens FIT has designed a social networking curricula for seniors and has established a social networking site www.mypastmypresent.eu to act as a training tool and a hosting site for user created content recalling the life experiences both past and present of our older population. Some comments of the first senior members of My Past My Present website:
- “Delighted we are forming a social group”
- “I am glad to see that we the older people are been treated like the young website users”
- “It removed my fear of social networking. It has given me a lot confidence and opened a whole new world of possibilities for me both in my work and in my social life”

Keywords:

web 2, 0, ict, european projects, cpd of teachers, senior citizens, migrants.