All posts tagged education
Typewriters, computers, innovation and change!
Typewriters
Watching the BBC TV news on Tuesday (20th November 2012) I was struck by several items. The first, at around 6.15 am, was a short ‘magazine’ piece on the end of the typewriter, which showed the very last Brother typewriter being produced at Brothers’ factory in Wrexham.
What a remarkable device the typewriter turned out to be from the very first successful commercial model produced by Remington way back in 1870 to the last one produced on Tuesday. (Not many products can boast of a 142 year life cycle or produce such an amazing production curve.)
In our attempt to increase the level of Economic Inclusion the Green Paper made the following recommendation:-
1.5 Foster and develop the entrepreneurial spirit of our young people and our migrant communities
In promoting this we are also promoting the need for innovation that lies behind it.
Sometimes It’s Hard To Think Outside The Box
Would it not be truly wonderful if, as a result of the Green Paper initiative (soon to be White Paper), someone from Birmingham went on to invent and develop the next device which will revolutionise our world in the way the typewriter did (and to some extent continues to do)?
A second news item, later in the day (about 6 pm) was the announcement by Hewlett Packard (HP) the American computer and printer giant, that it was reporting a $6.85bn net loss.
Here we see the speed of change our world is subject to. On the same day that the typewriter becomes obsolete, we also begin to see the dark clouds of obsolescence hovering around the laptop and the computer, as smart phones and tablets begin to ‘elbow’ them out.
Strangely enough yesterday morning (21st Nov) we learn that plastic electronics, also known as organic and printable electronics, is an emerging field, which some experts say will revolutionise the electronics industry. (As one printer dies an new one is being born!)
It is in this new, rapidly changing world, that our young entrepreneurs and innovators will have to live and breathe. So we need to consider not only what kind of skills an individual requires to be able to operate in this way, but also what kind of ‘person’ they need to be, to be flexible and adaptable enough to cope with such speed of change.
Innovative organisations and market leaders like Google and Facebook have introduced radically new work environments and management methods to foster the creativity they need to help drive their business.
[Check out the Google office at CA with its gym, idiosyncratic work spaces, amazing restaurants etc.]
Is this the model our schools and colleges should be looking at to help foster the level of confidence, creativity, and courage required to deal with the rapid speed of change in the modern business world?
At the end of the recent Social Inclusion Summit the Bishop urged us to
let the radical change begin!
Are we ready to be this radical?
Let us know!
Posted by johnbbrum on 22nd November 2012
http://fairbrum.wordpress.com/2012/11/22/typewriters-computers-innovation-and-change/
Next Steps
Thanking Cllr Cotton for his response the Bishop then asked Jackie Mould to outline the next steps in the process.
Jackie reflected that the main work now was how to turn all the ideas that had emerged both from the Green Paper and the discussions today into action. Many many people have been involved and she echoed the Bishops call to keep this vital partnership of collaboration alive.
The next step is to turn the Green Paper into a White Paper and develop from it an Action Plan to enable us to implement its recommendations and take this work forward. After it is produced the Bishop will engage in a formal process with all our Partners to get their sign-up and commitment to engagement with it in order to bring about its recommendations.
Jackie said she was keen to keep this network going, and we will be contacting you soon to enlist your help, support and ideas on ways to take this further.
We will be holding a further Summit in the new year to feedback where we are and get more input from you.
As Cllr Cotton mentioned we will be creating a new Challenge unit. If anyone wants to help or support us, with ideas, people, resources, even challenge, please get in touch.
Many of the processes will continue the Blog fairbrum will still be going, as will our presence on twitter. So please remember: your views count! Continue to engage with us on the journey by contributing to the conversation on twitter by using the #fairbrum tag and following us @fairbrum.
Please stick with us and make sure you continue to work with us, as we journey on to make this Social Inclusion Process happen for Birmingham.
Posted by johnbbrum on 14th November 2012
http://fairbrum.wordpress.com/2012/11/14/next-steps/
Action Groups – emerging ideas
The eight groups are proving very industrious, and flip chart paper is filling up with comments and ideas.
This is group 1.1 examining how to help socially excluded families. Discussions around ‘helicopter’ parents took place and the need to provide tailored flexible support for those struggling to cope.
Another comment notes that talent spotting is not always about education and qualifications.
Another group have examined what success looks like and have come up with notions such as people being able to try out different skills and that businesses are able to fill all their vacancies from young people.
But the discussion is not only taking place on flip charts and on paper
others are making using of more modern materials. Tweeting live the comments and suggestions that are being made to a world-wide audience.
Some have found the flip chart board too confining and spilled over on to the floor to capture their inspiration.
Coffee has been drunk, fuelling the synapses again and a further round of ideas has filled the air. Time has been against us yet again and people are being asked to reassemble in the main auditorium ready to feedback their findings in the feedback closing plenary session.
Posted by johnbbrum on 14th November 2012
http://fairbrum.wordpress.com/2012/11/14/action-groups-emerging-ideas/
Action group sessions
After David Cox finishes the delegates are urged to move on into their ‘Action Groups’ and the Bishop has urged them to come back with ‘Headlines’ from the future of how the city has improved in keeping with David’s approach.
People are now spilling out from the main hall eagerly seeking to locate their Action Group.
The Action Groups are based on the 7 commitments. The first commitment has been split into two making eight groups in total.
1.1 Support families and children out of poverty – helping socially excluded families
1.2 Support families and children out of poverty – inclusive growth approach
3. Protect the most vulnerable
5. Create a city that values children and young people
6. Empower people to shape their neighbourhood
7. Address safety, isolation and loneliness
Once in their Action Groups members of the group will be asking questions such as:-
- What is the key “news” headline for 2020 in relation to this commitment? This headline will be fed back to the closing plenary.
- What’s the key elements of this commitment?
- How to deliver the recommendations?
- What will the measures of success be?
- Who needs to be involved?
- What is going to make a difference
- What are the cultural/behavioural changes needed?
Notes are being taken and flip charts
used to record the myriad ideas that are tumbling forth.
People in the groups are also being urged to make a commitment indicating how they can help implement the Green Paper recommendations.
Posted by johnbbrum on 14th November 2012
http://fairbrum.wordpress.com/2012/11/14/action-group-sessions/
A view from the Future
In a bold move Professor David Cox, a member of the Social Inclusion Steering Group, has decided to give us a view from the future: 2020 to be precise.
Professor David Cox
He is somewhat iconoclastic in his views and opinions, and his strong views are laced with a generous helping of humourous comments.
Looking back from the future he tells us about a negative report that appeared in the Economist back in 2012. He reminds us that in 2011 we had riots across the city and that Birmingham was considered a second class city.
He then goes on to envisage how the City might look after the commitments and recommendations in the Green Paper have all been implemented.
Looking back at Birmingham from 2020 he highlights what we have achieved. He points out that even in 2020 Birmingham cannot compete with China and the emerging markets economically, but we have been able to compete in terms of Social Inclusion and Social Cohesion.
He then begins a long and impressive list of the positive outcomes that have resulted in the implementation of the Green Paper commitments. The city is successful in attracting new industry and jobs, it is better connected and its citizens live vibrant and social fulfilling and inclusive lives.
A wonderful new vision of the City has emerged and David relates it in a stimulating and amusing way and concludes by reminding us that it all started here this very same CBSO Auditorium back in 2012.
Posted by johnbbrum on 14th November 2012
http://fairbrum.wordpress.com/2012/11/14/a-view-from-the-future/
Open Space Session another view
Some delegates have decided to think long and hard about the topic. Maybe even deciding to sleep on it.
Posted by johnbbrum on 14th November 2012
http://fairbrum.wordpress.com/2012/11/14/open-space-session-another-view/
Making Birmingham a more inclusive city: Birmingham Social Inclusion Summit – 14th November 2012
The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Today we will be updating the blog live from our summit at the CBSO Centre, here in the heart of Birmingham.
The purpose of the day is to share the commitments and recommendations from the Social Inclusion Process and to encourage individuals and organisations to take up the “social inclusion challenge”.
The Green Paper, which outlined seven key commitments, has been out for consultation for several weeks and many people have provided feedback and comment on it.
Today we aim to:-
- Obtain stakeholder “buy in” to the commitments and recommendations
- Identify who needs to do what to turn the recommendations into action
- Start to develop action plans around each commitment and the recommendations that underpin them
- Consider how to put into practice the recommendations for the cultural change needed to achieve the social inclusion vision
Your views count! Please join us by contributing to the conversation on twitter by using the #fairbrum tag and following us @fairbrum
Posted by johnbbrum on 14th November 2012
http://fairbrum.wordpress.com/2012/11/14/making-birmingham-a-more-inclusive-city-birmingham-social-inclusion-summit-14th-november-2012/
Transport shouldn’t be a flight of fancy
Being able to get around the city is important, right? But startling findings during the Social Inclusion Process have made it clear that the cost of public transportation is a significant barrier for many moving around the city.
Commitment four of the Social Inclusion Process Green Paper makes the recommendation that a targeted reduction in the cost and access to safe transport is needed (recommendation 4.1) to overcome the feeling of being marooned.
As it stands many people are disconnected from the city centre and mainstream economic, educational and cultural opportunities.
Residents in Welsh House Farm told how they felt about not being part of the city: “I think we are our own tiny little place – we don’t connect to the city centre – it’s £8 for a Family day Saver into town on the bus – before you’ve started its cost you £8 to get to the city.
Everything is just much more expensive. The city has set itself up in a way that excludes the people from the outlying estates – they don’t want people like us to be there. So we can’t afford to have connection with the city”.
Even accessing to services can be an onerous task as one resident in Castle Vale pointed out: “Erdington nearest job centre – far too far away” another resident interjected “have you ever been? I felt very scared going thee with some people squaring up to the security guards – very scary.”
What next? Public transport providers, colleges, schools and the city council need to explore reduce transportations cost for targeted groups; particularly for young people and families.
Safer cycling routes and more support needs to be given to community transport initiatives to help some areas of the city to access jobs and services.
Here’s your chance to contribute before Monday 5th November 2012.
- Through our consultation portal
- Here on our blog:
- Write to:
Jackie Mould
Giving Hope Changing Lives
PO Box 16253
B2 2WS
- By email: Jackie Mould fairbrum@birmingham.gov.uk
- or The Rt Revd David Urquhart, Bishop of Birmingham bishop@birmingham.anglican.org
- Via Twitter @fairbrum or use #fairbrum
- Telephone the Partnership Team on 0121 675 3499
Posted by sandviper1 on 23rd October 2012
http://fairbrum.wordpress.com/2012/10/23/transport-shouldnt-be-a-flight-of-fancy/
Stand up and be counted
To help develop commitment one: support families and children out of poverty, the Green Paper makes a recommendation that we should put greater emphasis on small and micro-businesses including social enterprise. (Recommendation 1.4)
The recommendation goes on to note that the debate should reach out to the many successful businesses and enterprising individuals from new and migrant communities.
Back in July this website published a blog based on a paper by Selina Stewart entitled: “Economic Activity in Newly Arrived East African Communities”, which emphasised the need to support such new developments.
One way we can do this is by helping you to market your business, product or service.
Marketing is considered to be the process of communicating the value of a product or service to customers and is also seen to be key to helping expand and develop a business. Given this I would urge all new small and micro businesses including social enterprises to use the opportunity this consultation affords to promote their activity and shout about the good work that they are already doing to promote this commitment and implement this recommendation.
You can proudly show off your current activity on our interactive map. To help advertise and grow your business you should consider registering with the Council’s procurement portal: finditinbirmingham, which boldly states that it “aims to boost business activity throughout the region by bringing you real business opportunities”.
Entrepreneurs I urge you to help improve your business turnover, not only for your own benefit, but also for the wider community. Help invest in and develop the skills of your workforce, and help your city by engaging with commitment one: to support Birmingham families and children out of poverty.
To make sure you stand up and are counted. Do it now!
Posted by johnbbrum on 21st October 2012
http://fairbrum.wordpress.com/2012/10/21/stand-up-and-be-counted/
