Television has changed radically over the last 20 years. But if you think the introduction of satellite TV, cable, HD and 3D TV - along with a gazillion channels – was radical, think again. To coin a phrase, you ain’t seen nothing yet.

According to BT's Innovate & Design's research and technology team, the TV revolution is set to accelerate over the next ten years thanks to the internet. Hang onto your hats because they reckon it going to become a truly interactive experience.

You can find out how by clicking here.

By John Fisher, chief executive, Citizens Online

These days technology is crucial in most of our lives. How would we work, shop or communicate with friends and family if we weren't online? On the internet, we can shop more cheaply, find jobs, pay bills at a discounted rate and so much more. So if you aren't connected you are excluded from many opportunities on offer. And perversely, it is usually the people who would benefit most from getting online who are missing out.

Various studies have shown that there is a strong link between digital and social exclusion. And in locations where the level of connectivity is at its lowest, the level of social deprivation and exclusion is usually at its highest. This is why Citizens Online - in partnership with BT - is committed to helping everyone get connected so that they can improve their life chances.

 But people in deprived areas often have challenging lives and don't always have the time or the money to get involved. That’s where we come in.

Our role is to help people understand the significance of technology and show them how it can change their lives. It's obviously not the panacea and cure-all for everything, but it is a very valuable tool in their box of skills. We work with the hardest-to-reach groups and creatively find reasons for them to get interested in technology.

Raising awareness

We do this by targeting certain locations and groups and provide them with a full-time project co-ordinator. They raise awareness about the benefits of technology within communities and groups, and encourage them to go on to share their newly acquired skills with others.

With the help of BT we have successfully targeted 40 locations over nine years and we are currently working on a further 15 projects. Sometimes we work with a specific group such as the elderly or disabled and at other times we target a whole community.

For example, we work with young people who are disaffected and need help to get their lives back on track. We also work with those who have had a bad experience in education so have low basic skills. They need help to develop their IT skills so that they can find a job. Why? Because despite some stereotypes, not all young people are technology wizards. And such interventions could help them avoid long-term unemployment.

Enticing older people with technology can be more challenging as they don't initially see its purpose. But once their interest is captured there is no stopping them as our eldest convert has proved at the age of 99.

Whether we’re working with young or old, a softly-softly approach is key to our success. We don't mention the word technology when we start introducing people to computers as this simply turns many off. Instead, we organise informal fun activities in locations where people feel comfortable. For older people this might be at a lunch club.  For others, it might at be the pub, laundrette or bingo hall.

Breeding confidence

Then we find out their interests and show them how to look things up about their hobby online. So if they're keen football fans we show them fascinating facts about their favourite club. It's all about finding a hook to draw them in.  Then once they're interested they are keen to try it for themselves. As they practise they become more confident and motivated to learn and the barriers they have built up against technology come down.

In all this work BT's commitment to inclusion and their generous support has been invaluable.  As well as monetary resources BT has encouraged their staff to act as volunteers to show people how to get to grips with technology.

And with their continued help we will carry on encouraging many more people to embrace technology.

By Julie Blake from the educational consultancy The Full English

Language is constantly changing. And with the advent of digital technology, it seems the pace of that change is accelerating as well. For instance, it was only a few years ago that LOL (laugh out loud) and BRB (be right back) were the preserve of a nascent internet generation.

Today, these terms are commonly used and even feature in the new BT TV commercials promoting its broadband.

But I’m not here to discuss that. It’s language that interests me.  Here in the UK, studying spoken language, speaking and listening counts for 30 per cent of GCSE English. It’s also a major component in the English ‘A’ level studied by more than 30,000 students.

Or to put it another way, talking and listening affects more than half a million students a year. The snag is, there are very few resources to help teachers create interesting and dynamic lessons. Until now.

Working with BT we’ve devised a completely new set of resources for teachers. Called All Talk, it is 15 units of material in a 115-page workbook supported by 35 YouTube-length videos on a DVD.

Simple

Its role is simple. All Talk supports English GCSE and A level students in the study of spoken language, speaking and listening.

Last October, we sent 5,000 of these packs to secondary schools in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.  The All Talk booklet was sent into schools along with a poster to raise awareness of the web resource and to give all English departments in state schools a copy to help with their planning. The full booklet is downloadable from the web as are all the videos in the DVD.

Plus, there are some 200 pages of web extras and more videos. Teachers can search the site by topic to suite their needs. And there is plenty of additional material tailored for both students and teachers.

The response we’ve had from teachers and students has been extremely positive.

Students love it. The scheme is fun, lively and engaging. Funnily enough, that’s exactly the same kind of feedback we’re getting from teachers and tutors. But there is an additional bonus for teachers. The resource is free which is great when budgets are tight.

Creating a buzz

So why is All Talk causing such a buzz? Could it be the exploration of slang or how people who speak two or more languages use this to their advantage? Or perhaps it’s the coverage of how people ‘talk’ using computers, mobile phones, SMS, Facebook, Twitter and other digital platforms? Maybe it’s the discussion around regional accents or how there is a different set of rules when speaking in the workplace. 

Perhaps, just perhaps, it’s all of these things. You don’t just have to be in education to enjoy All Talk.

And one thing is clear. This free educational resource is definitely getting people talking.

By Julie Hindley, BT community investment programmes

BT's Big Voice competition is reaching its grand finale and students around the country will soon discover whether their films are worthy of gold.

The competition has given young people the great chance to speak out about issues of diversity and inclusion and encouraged them to consider how they could improve their local community. And the very best ideas have been made into 36 short films.

There were initially hundreds of entries from teams of 11-19 year who had to write film treatments explaining how their ideas could be translated into the screen.

And these exciting and interesting initial entries had to be whittled down to just 36, which progressed through to the next phase of the competition.

These groups were then given a budget of £1,000 from BT and the assistance of a 'production partner' from a university or college film course who helped turn the ideas into real film.

And now these films are complete and the competition has reached the final thrilling stage when they will be screened and judged.

You can view these short films online at www.bt.com/bigvoice. We really want you to take a look and then vote for your favourite film.

There will also be an opportunity to catch the films in various locations across the country. BT Big Voice Film Festivals will take place during May and June with the films displayed on large video screens placed in city centres in the build up to the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This will give the participating schools and colleges the chance to come together, share their films and have fun.

Finally, once all the votes have been counted and the judges have deliberated there will be an 'Oscar-style’ awards ceremony for the winning films to celebrate all that has been achieved by these young people.

Go on. Have a look. There really is some extraordinary talent out there.  

By Nigel Lewis, chief executive officer of AbilityNet

Most of us couldn’t begin to imagine life without digital technology, as it plays such a central role in our lives. We use it to stay in touch with family and friends, make reservations, pay bills and so much more. But there are groups in our society that are missing out on the digital revolution and are being excluded from the benefits it has to offer.

Which is where AbilityNet comes in. We’re a national charity and we’re passionate about helping disabled adults and children use computers and the Internet. How? By adapting and adjusting existing technology to their needs. Our special expertise ensures that whatever their age, health, disability or situation, anyone can find exactly the right way to adapt or adjust their ICT to make it easier to use.

Ideas generation

Last year, we launched the first ever Technology4Good Awards (T4G). It’s a national competition that celebrates the work that is being done to encourage digital inclusion in the community. It was so successful – and generated such inspiring and innovative ideas – that we’re running it again this year. And if I’m honest, I cannot wait to see what submissions we receive.

Last year, the Best in Show went to LifeLites – an inspirational charity that brings digital fun and learning opportunities to some 5,000 children in hospices nationwide. Other truly notable category winners included a project that helps sheltered housing residents get online; a community cybercafé based in a fish and chip shop; and an on-line radio station for the over 50s.

So, if you know any businesses, charities, schools, social enterprises or individuals, who have enabled people to improve their lives through IT, please get them to enter these awards. 

Once again supported by BT, the T4G Awards are free to enter and the closing date for entries in March 18 2012. For more information and an application form please go to www.technology4goodawards.org.uk  

Abilitynet is a national charity helping disabled adults and children use computers and the internet by adapting and adjusting their technology.

By Liz Johnson, Paralympic Games swimming gold medallist

We’re getting closer and closer to the start of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games – and I, for one, am beginning to get incredibly excited about what will be the biggest sporting spectacle ever to take place in this country.

In recent months I’ve been working closely with my friends at Openreach on a programme that’s really been helping to spread the excitement and anticipation of the Games to primary school children up and down the land.

The project is called the Communication Triathlon and its part of Get Set, the London 2012 education initiative in support of the Games. It’s is all about encouraging children aged between 4 and 11 to understand the importance of communications. The idea is that if they can get to grips with communication, then just about everything else they are learning about will fall in to place more easily.

I knew straight away when I heard about the Communication Triathlon, that it would be a fantastic programme to get involved in – and I was right.

For the children it’s a series of fun-filled, sporting themes events that are intended to boost their speaking and listening skills.

For schools, the programme incorporates a wide-range of inspiring curriculum-linked communications activities that support the children’s school work, such as Sports Bingo, Secret Striker, Memory Relay and even a Listening Assault Course. What’s more, schools are free to run the Communication Triathlon just how they like – over a couple of days, over a week, for a class, a single year group or the whole school.

Let the games begin

What I like about it most is that it really does bring 2012 into the classroom. Schools start the Triathlon with an opening ceremony, then use the fun, sports themed activities to improve thinking, talking and teamwork, ending with a closing ceremony – and certificates to be presented to the participants.

I’ve been to some of the schools which have already held Communication Triathlons and I’ve seen the excitement that’s been created first hand. Having competed in various countries and had the opportunity to meet a range of people, I know how important communications skills are. I think this initiative does a brilliant job in teaching these skills in a fun way and I’ve seen just how inclusive it is in the way it brings London 2012 to life to so many children.

I urge any schools which haven’t got involved with the Communication Triathlon yet to do so - I promise you it’s a winner!

Find out more about the Communication Triathlon.

By John Davies, chief researcher, BT

The internet has revolutionised the way we interact with information. But there’s another revolution on its way and, arguably, it could be even more far-reaching than the last. It’s called the ‘Internet of Things’ – and it involves a world where objects of every description are connected to one another.

Tiny low powered computer chips with sensors can be attached to anything – from cartons and corks to cars and fridges. And by doing so, these ‘things’ can be connected and communicate with one another.

There is so much excitement about this emerging technology that BT has just been awarded a government grant to begin preliminary work on a transport-related Internet of Things. It truly is revolutionary. Find out today about the future.

By Gabrielle Ginér, environmental sustainability, BT

Like many people, I really enjoy my job, but I have to say that these last few weeks have been particularly exciting. That’s because BT has just announced that we have become the first company  in the world to be verified by the Carbon Trust  against the new Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol Product Standard.

We have gained independent verification to the new carbon reporting standard for three of our consumer products: the BT Home Hub, the Vision+ digital set-top box and the BT Graphite 2500 cordless phone.

You may be wondering why that’s a cause for excitement.  It’s important because before we, or any other company, can take the next step towards creating more sustainable products, we must have a way of understanding the current full life cycle emissions of existing ones.

I have been working on the GHG Protocol Product Standard on behalf of BT for the last three years or so. The fact that we’ve now been able to verify three of our products against it is a significant achievement.

Three years ago I was given a project to develop a methodology which BT could use to estimate carbon footprints of complex ICT network services. My team and I started with a blank page, but we wanted to do this as part of our commitment to being a London 2012 Olympic Games Sustainability Partner.

We developed a pioneering methodology and as such were the first company to estimate the carbon footprint of a communications and technology solution delivered to a summer Olympic Games.

Once we had developed and tested our methodology, we wanted to take it further and decided to engage with our industry sector and to develop some common global guidelines.  Through this process we hoped to share what we’d learned and help develop best practice in the industry.   

Our approach

The approach we took was to set up an industry consortium to develop a ICT sector guidance to the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Product Standard. The consortium included other forward-thinking companies such as Alcatel-Lucent and Cisco. I co-chair a working group to develop the methodology for assessing the greenhouse gas emissions associated with a telecommunications network service. 

This is important because carbon footprinting enables us to get a sense of the size and scale of the carbon impact of a service, and allows us to focus on carbon reduction opportunities where they will make the most difference.  We can work with our customers and suppliers to achieve this.

Three years on we are now in an exciting position.  We now have some products verified and we are about to publish the ICT sector guidance this spring.

Learning

I’ve learned about how, when companies collaborate, they can do some great things together. 

I hope that our methodology and the work that we have done will have a positive, and long term impact on carbon reduction and the journey towards a low carbon economy.  The ICT sector has a unique role to play in that we can also help other sectors to reduce their carbon emissions by enabling smarter and more efficient ways of working.

These are my thoughts, but what do you think?

Is carbon footprinting a worthwhile task?  Why or why not? I’d love to know your thoughts.

By Beth Courtier, community investment programme manager, BT

Last week, on behalf of BT, I hosted a workshop at the NVCO (National Council for Voluntary Organisations) annual conference in London. The workshop, entitled: “Funding: how to get the big idea” was all about helping fundraisers and charities to develop innovative and sustainable approaches to fundraising in these tougher economic times.

As you’d imagine, the whole charity sector recognises that people are being far more careful about how they spend their money. It’s understandable why those struggling to pay mortgages or credit card bills might be less inclined to dig deeply into their pockets for a charity.

But they still do. The voluntary sector just has to work harder – and smarter – for their donations. This means individual charities have to stand out from the crowd and become far more creative in how they fundraise.

And so the workshop I ran, along with two colleagues from the NCVO, Laura Smith and Katherine William-Powlett, focussed on providing those who attended with the skills necessary to better understand current income opportunities and map possible new income sources.

We also highlighted how organisations need to consider ways of finding new and more sustainable fundraising sources.  But they also need to consider who their donors are and what they want from their chosen charity.

But new ways of raising funds is only part of the equation.

Because charities need to make sure that every penny brought in goes directly towards their cause.  That’s why registering with BT’s MyDonate – something that is very quick and easy to do - is such a good idea. Unlike other donation services, MyDonate doesn’t charge commission. And that’s good news for donors, fundraisers, charities and the cause being supported.

For example, some donation providers take up to five per cent in commission per donation. But BT’s MyDonate is a unique, free service that makes sure that all charitable donations go directly towards the nominated charity, thus helping to maximise available funds. And let’s be honest, in these difficult time, every penny counts.

By Simon Paul, community investment manager, BT

We know how much people benefit from being online – from paying bills, to investigating family trees, or just keeping in touch with family and friends. But for some people the prospect of getting online can be daunting.

The good news is that there are many young people out there who willingly spend their spare time passing on the computer skills they have acquired. And the BT Internet Rangers competition wants to celebrate these young people who encourage others to move into the digital age.

At least a third of older people are being taught computer skills by someone up to the age of 16 and we think it’s worth recognising the contribution they make.

So if you know a young person who has made a real difference by helping an individual or a group to get online, we want to know all about it.

It could be a parent, grandparent or even a neighbour. Or maybe they have volunteered at a club.

The scheme has been running since 2003 and is open to all young people up to the age of 16.  And winners will be picked from each of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

We also have an award especially for schools. Why? Because we want to encourage them to forge closer links with their local community, using their pupils’ ICT skills to help others get online.

The winning school gets £4,000 and the runners-up will receive £2,500 to implement these ideas.

And the great thing is that everyone wins – a school’s reputation within the local community can be enhanced, community cohesion created and pupils’ self-confidence and communication skills developed.  

But let’s not forget that it will also open up a whole new world on the internet for many people who have previously been too afraid to try. Although some people might say they aren’t interested in getting online, when they have someone trusted helping them and showing them what can be done, they can quickly change their minds.

For more information about the competition, which starts on March 1^st, please go to www.bt.com/internetrangers