EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - Internet bus in the City -Tampere, Finland

Internet bus in the City -Tampere, Finland

Introduction

Netti-Nysse put the Web on wheels and took it to its users. The purpose of this mobile service is to encourage the residents of the City of Tampere in Finland to start using computers and the Internet by giving them some basic lessons.

Problem

How to give residence of the city of Tampere in Finland the ability to use computers and internet?

Description

The birth and history of the Internet bus Netti-Nysse is a story of cooperation. An old city bus was turned into an Internet bus by local vocational schools, the City of Tampere, companies and the eTampere project. The idea was born in January 2000 and bus started in June 2001. The idea of internet bus was presented to companies and to the council of Tampere.

Netti-Nysse can be booked for groups of citizens or individuals who can sign up to open tuition groups or may just enrol in Internet training courses for small groups. Groups of neighbours, clubs, societies - any group of citizens who want to learn how to use computers and the internet can book the Netti-Nysse for their use and have it come to their own neighbourhood. Instruction is very much user-oriented: there is always someone to help, but the users proceed at their own pace. Interactive learning methods, learning by doing and getting used to the Internet are the cornerstones of Netti-Nysse.

Approach

The goal of the bus is to serve the people and help them in getting started with computers and the Internet.
People gather together in groups of 7-10 and call the organisers.
A package of instruction including 4 sessions of 2 hours each is offered.
The first group starts at 9 am and the last one is out by 8pm.
The tutors, the people who help the customers, are a very important part of the idea.
There are five people working full time for the bus. With one group there are 2 tutors, experienced customer service professionals, available.
Individual support seems essential to the people who are entering the world of computers and Internet.
A "Catch the mouse" tutorial on the Internet helps with learning to work with the mouse.
Surfing on the Internet, making use of search engines, opening free e-mail accounts and studying web-banking systems, is part of the program.
To offer a continuum, customers are informed about free Internet access points in town (more than 140) and other elementary computer courses.

Results

During the first two years, about 200 different groups have attended the elementary courses. There has been a wide range of different groups; a lot of senior people, groups of mothers, truck drivers, home aids, young unemployed people, people with hearing problems or Parkinson disease, immigrants, entrepreneurs, extended families and many different associations. It is obvious that a familiar group supports the learning experience and creates a relaxed atmosphere as well as creates social capital.

About 65% of the course participants have been over 56 years old and two thirds have been women. More than 80% of our customers are going to use computer after the course, less than 20 % might use them if support and free access were available and about 1 % have doubts.

The Netti-Nysse has taken part in various events, exhibitions and has also arranged open house days. Through different themes and events we also try to lower the threshold of the information society and bring it closer to everyday life. The Netti-Nysse also received some public recognition. November 2001 the European Commission recognised the Netti-Nysse and the city of Tampere with an award for the "Best eGovernment Practises ". Another award came from the Ministry of Education as Netti-Nysse won a national prize for "innovative adult education practices".

Contact info

Tampere City Library & Internet Bus Netti-Nysse
Elina Harju, tel. +35 8405908496

Project start date

06/10/2004

Links

Tampere City Library & Internet Bus Netti-Nysse

Learning the basic skills of the information society (PDF, Eng, 280 KB)

Document type

case

Themes

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration > Quality of life

Keywords

Skills improvement