A scheme promoting excellence in digital learning and teaching, is to be offered to Scottish secondary schools with the aim of equipping pupils with cutting-edge digital skills. The Digital Schools Awards, announced today by Shirley-Anne Somerville, minister for further education, higher education and science, encourages schools to “infuse digital skills across the curriculum”.
Colleges, universities, and employers are also being encouraged to partner with schools to develop a modern, digitally resilient workforce with advanced computational thinking capabilities.
The announcement builds on the introduction of the Digital Schools Awards to Scottish primary schools last year. This programme has already seen 15% of primary schools register and 43 schools achieve digital school accreditation, including 22 schools who today received their awards at a presentation held in Goldenhill Primary School, Clydebank.
Participating schools are required to self-assess their developments in digital technology under common practice areas of ‘Leadership and Vision’, ‘Digital Technology for Learning and Teaching’, ‘School Culture’, ‘Professional Development’ and ‘Resources and Infrastructure’.
The secondary programme builds on the primary and encourages schools to identify activities where digital skills are more focused on real world work-ready scenarios.
The programme is being driven by a consensus among policy, academic, technology and business leaders that schools play a central role in shaping Scotland’s future as a digital nation.
The development team consulted with schools and organisations such as Developing the Young Workforce, PLAN C, Scotland IS, Smarter Grid Solutions, STEM, the Child Protection Team for Education Scotland and the Digital Technologies Skills Group to include the latest thinking in digital technology for education.
As a result, the programme promotes skills such as digital innovation and creativity; computational thinking; advances in STEM; the use of digital technology to promote higher order thinking skills; support for digital equity and access and the need for cyber resilience.
HP, Microsoft and Intel are providing practical support and resources including a financial commitment of £600,000 over five years and the programme is recognised by Education Scotland. The programme is also supported by the Scottish Government’s Digital Skills funding.
It is expected that by the end of 2018, more than a quarter of all Scottish primary and secondary schools and over 190,000 pupils aged between 5-18 years, will be digitally supported through the programme’s activities.
“A key priority in shaping the Scottish Government’s Digital Learning and Teaching Strategy has been to align the needs of employers with the curriculum,” said Shirley-Anne Somerville. “Our colleges, universities and employers have a key role to play in helping schools to prepare our young people for the opportunities to flourish in the future.
“I welcome HP, Microsoft and Intel support on this digital schools’ programme which is a fantastic example of industry supporting education in Scotland.”
David Hogg, education manager for HP EMEA, added: “The Digital Schools Awards programme is a unique partnership between the technology industry, education and government and offers a great opportunity for Scotland to take a lead in the development of digital skills across both primary and second level education.
“HP is proud to support this ground-breaking digital schools’ initiative which will help young people in Scotland take full advantage of career opportunities as they consider further education or employment and allow them to play a full part in making Scotland a great digital nation.”
Steven Grier, country manager, Microsoft Scotland, said: “The Digital Schools Programme is a shining example of how we, as an industry, are committed to supporting the next generation and ensuring that all young people acquire the skills they need to thrive in the modern digital workplace. We are proud to be part of this exciting initiative and look forward to seeing how it enables students to better prepare for the world of work.”
Claire Gillespie, digital technologies sector skills manager at Skills Development Scotland, said: “Involving technology employers in our schools is key to ensuring that young people will have the knowledge and experience needed in the years ahead.
“There are many excellent digital projects happening in our schools and the Digital Schools Awards provides a roadmap for best practice. I’d like to encourage any school that hasn’t yet got involved in this programme to consider doing so.”
Schools are encouraged to register for the programme through the www.digitalschoolsawards.co.uk website where they can undergo a self-evaluation of current practices and standards.
Related posts
Interviews
Comment
Please mind the gap… or healthcare may fall
Imagine sharing a lengthy train journey with others. From beginning to end, imagine how often you might hear ‘mind the gap’ messages about embarking and disembarking safely. Picture how navigating…
Women Lead: My journey from Dragons’ Den to Silicon Valley
Following her appearance on Dragons’ Den, Sheila Hogan, serial entrepreneur, founder and chief executive of digital legacy vault, Biscuit Tin, shares her experience of her time in the Den and…
Look anywhere – the future is ‘aged tech’. But Scotland needs to be more adventurous
Scottish Care, as the representative body of independent social care providers of care home, care at home and housing support services, has been working over several years with colleagues in…
Women Lead: Engineer turned entrepreneur
We are always fascinated by other people’s stories. It’s how we connect, grow and learn from each other. Until very recently I always felt like I didn’t have a story to tell. Who…
‘Women – together we will change the dynamic in tech’
I was inspired to start a career in technology when personal computers were in their infancy and the internet decades away. My childhood dream of becoming a scientist was shaped by…
It’s time to change the future of tech apprenticeships – and we need your help
In his latest exclusive column for Futurescot, Ross Tuffee, chair of the Skills Development Scotland (SDS) Digital Economy Skills Group, calls on tech employers to get involved in shaping the…
What AI difference a year makes
Amazingly, it’s been one year since the publication of Scotland’s AI Strategy. And what a year it has been. Demanding but rewarding, with good progress made and great foundations laid…
International Women’s Day: It’s time to harness power of women in technology
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, I hope to be part of a future where barriers that prevent women from competing on a level playing field in the work environment…