The gift of learning at Christmas thanks to Chromebooks delivery
Penicuik High pupils are among more than 5,500 secondary pupils who have received a Google Chromebook before Christmas as part of Midlothian Council’s £10.5 million Equipped for Learning initiative.
Given to primary pupils in 2022
All primary pupils will also be given a device from early next year in the most comprehensive digital learning project of its kind in Scotland to date.
Great success
Midlothian Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, Councillor Jim Muirhead congratulated the Digital Inclusion & Learning Team, Digital Services Team and school staff for the success of the delivery programme.
Monumental effort
He said: “There’s a monumental effort ongoing to roll out this project within strict timescales because we know this will change the lives of our young people.
Ahead of the government's commitment
“We’re well ahead of the Scottish Government’s recent commitment to give all school-age children a device by the end of this parliamentary session.
Raising attainment
“Giving all of our school-age children and young people a device means they will have equal access to the digital tools and skills they need to raise their attainment levels. It will allow them to take greater responsibility and ownership of their learning in areas including literacy and numeracy, and equip them for a positive destination such as further/higher education and the future jobs market.
Thanks to everyone
“Well done to everyone involved.”
Will be well-used
S6 pupils Ruby Bee and Georgie Black were among the Penicuik pupils enjoying their new Chromebooks. Ruby said the device will help her write essays, which she had been doing sometimes on her mobile phone while Georgie was going to use hers, among other projects, to do research for her art class.
Help for those with additional needs
Making sure all pupils have a device will also help children and young people with additional support needs by giving them access to technology that can help with their different learning needs.
Pre-school benefits too
Early years settings will also benefit from the project as they will have shared iPads.
Parents and carers kept up to date
Parents and carers will be offered online information sessions about the project, including how best to support their child or young person. Further details of those will be shared in due course.
Website set up
The council has also set up a website with more details of Equipped for Learning, including FAQs.
Safeguards in place
Technical restrictions are in place and pupils, as part of the digital literacy curriculum, will learn how to stay safe online.
In the picture
From left to right in the picture are (from back row): Depute Head Teacher Hollie Lyon and Quality Improvement Manager for Digital Learning Colin McCabe, who is organising the roll-out of the Equipped for Learning project. In the second back row are Sophie Blackie, on the left, Erin Thom, in the centre and Emma Livie, on the right. In front of them are Ruby Bee, second front row on left and Georgie Black on the right. Madelaine Fraser is front left, Aaron Buchan is front middle and Ross Bertram is front right.