Enhancing Learning and Teaching through Digital Technology

Enhancing Learning and Teaching through the use of Digital Technology

At yesterday’s meeting of the Education, Sport and Children’s Services Committee, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s Members were informed of how the Comhairle is meeting its obligations as outlined in the Scottish Government’s Learning and Teaching Strategy.

In September 2016 the Scottish Government published ‘Enhancing Learning and Teaching though the use of Digital Technology (Opens in a new window or downloads a file)’. This outlined the national vision for enhancing learning and teaching through the use of digital technology. The strategy seeks to ensure that benefits to young people are realised by focusing actions around four essential and interrelated objectives that are central to successful digital learning and teaching.

• Develop the skills and confidence of educators in the appropriate and effective use of digital technology to support learning and teaching
• Improve access to digital technology for all learners
• Ensure that digital technology is a central consideration in all areas of curriculum and assessment delivery
• Empower leaders of change to drive innovation and investment in digital technology for learning and teaching

Cllr Angus McCormack, Chairman of the Education, Sport and Children’s Services Committee, said: "The Comhairle’s support for digital learning predates the establishment of e-Sgoil, and represents a significant investment in ICT infrastructure, training and resources to enhance the role of digital learning in all learner contexts.

The success of implementing ICT in Education is dependent on the management, educational and technical expertise of the team who deliver and support it in schools, how it is implemented and on having adequate funding in place to sustain investment in it. 

Investment in ICT in Education This term, January to March 2018, marks the final 3 months of a 6 year (2011/12 - 2017/18) ICT Capital programme by Comhairle nan Eileanan Siar to invest in and upgrade the entire schools estate to the ICT specification of the 6 new schools built by the Western Isles Schools Programme (WISP) during 2011-13. Over this 7 year period the Education and Children’s Services Schools ICT Team has upgraded the entire schools estate to the new WISP ICT standard and, subject to adequate funding being made available, it is hoped to maintain our schools ICT infrastructure and systems at this level going forward."