It looks like the digital economy has truly been recognised  as being key to helping  the UK’s economic future, which at present seems to be as wobbly as… put you finger on that thought, while we come up with a decent wobbly thing…

A not inconsiderable £36m has been given to three UK universities, Aberdeen, Newcastle and Nottingham to probe the benefits and occasional pitfalls of all things digital.

Talking at the launch conference recently Lord Drayson spoke of the real opportunities that exist from the use of digital technologies to actually transform the way we work and think and our abilities to understand the world around us. Hurrah, we all cry…

Fantastic to know that the rather peacemeal route to learning and understanding digital which many have had to adopt has been officially recognised and that now there’s a strategy in place for future generations.

If you’d like the full story…click here

Our resident Pap has been on the loose again…and taken this pic of a poster we created recently. Seen in London, it's promoting a campaign we're working on with Edexcel to launch the new GCSEs which kick off in September 2010. The new exam helps young people realise their full potential by making them a little less focussed on "exam-day" performance (and nerves). They have also been re-structured to be really engaging to ensure learners remain enthusiastic from start to finish. Just what a few of us round here could have done with… 

The British Library is holding a new free exhibition 30th Oct 2009 - 7th March 2010, featuring 250 rare images from the dawn of the digital era - believe it or not 170 years ago. William Henry Fox Talbot was an exceptional scolar but we know him better for developing the Calotype which formed the basis of almost all photography – and which is the very much younger sister to digital. As with all things British Library, it's free and is the most amazing place to get in touch with your inner genius. See http://www.bl.uk/whatson/exhibitions/pointsofview/index.html

This dazzling image shows just how the digital age can meet with stone age. It is literally "painted" using different coloured crops in rice fields and whilst pictures on the earth are recognised as an ancient art form, these complicated creations would be nearly impossible without modern technology.

Rice art first started in 1993 in the village of Inakadate, Japan, but it's now spreading through the country. They are created by mixing Kodaimai rice, which has purple and yellow leaves with green leaved Tsugaru Roman rice to create the patterns. This takes loving care but needs computer imaging to work out how to plant such complex designs.

Another new twist on the role of digital technology in real life moments.

It's celebrations all round in the studio at Silver Towers this week.

Sophie received confirmation of her well earned Degree results – a magnificent 2:1 and Chris is celebrating his 7th year with SC. We've told him that if he's suffering from the "seven year itch" it's nothing to do with working with us :-)

We threw a lunch party to celebrate, Sophie went for the kiddies tea party theme!  As you can see Chris 'really' enjoyed himself…

A grand time was had by all.

Nielsen's last research, shows the most interesting recent on-line trend is the take up of social networking by older groups – infact the power of the grey click (well, would be grey if it weren’t for a bit of help from the bottle) is never to be underestimated.   By this month there’s as many 35 – 49 year olds on Facebook as there are 18 – 34 year olds. Move over kids, Gr’mars 'comin ta town!

See http://mashable.com2009/03/09social-networking-more-popular-than-email/