gurujim

Naturally, as a librarian, I can only applaud greater access to information. But there IS a caveat (isn't there, always...*L*)...and that is that simply providing data is NOT sufficient to empower many individuals or businesses. What will be necessary also to maximise benefit to the whole economy, and minimise inequities, is the provision of tools, guidance and training, in order that the "freed-up" data actually be used effectively. Otherwise marginalised people and businesses will be left further behind in the digital race. Here I should declare my other qualification: Teacher. So no surprise then that I argue there should be explicit provisions in the proposed National Curriculum to address the areas we teacher-librarians call Information Skills. This focus should range from K-12, through to Tertiary Education. If the investment of putting Laptops in front of every student is to be realised fully, not only must there be training in how use them, but training for teachers in how to teach the effective use of the data that they give access TO. Similarly for business, training (via outreach programmes of the PSI data providers or TAFE sector) will be critical. Talk to the National Library people - they'll confirm it's one thing to make data available...it's another entirely to get people using it effectively.