Children find technology engaging but our challenge is to use it in creative ways to develop the very best learning opportunities for young people.

Here are some ways I think we can do this:

  1. Young people like using web tools. Many of these tools involve the creation of digital content and communicating with others. Web tools such as Glow Blogs now give us the opportunity for all classrooms to have a global or internal voice on their own little piece of the Internet. 
  2. Children are captivated by Real Time information, its one of the reasons that web and video conferencing is so successful in the classroom. Website like classpress.net allow teachers to bring real time news into their subject specialism. Similarly, the National Archives comparative real-time reenactment of the second world war on Twitter provides equal appeal and massive learning opportunities for young people. 
  3. The World Wide Wall Display (the Internet) can provide real and authentic audience for young peoples achievements. Just look at the Mid Calder Primary School Website – its no wonder they won the Scottish Education Award for use of Technology earlier this year. The website gives a real feel for what is going on in the school, a real platform for students work and the amount of comments from parents demonstrates this is an effective way to open the school to the wider community. 
  4. Some of Scotland’s most creative teachers are using the hook of technology to create wonderful learning environments. Computer games are the obvious example of this where in classrooms games are used as a stimulus  for learning to spring board other areas of the curriculum. Scotland’s Consolarium continues to remain a world leader in Games Based Learning in the classroom. 

The Scottish Government has recently started to consider the development of a Technologies for Learning Strategy. If we get it right it could be a great opportunity for future of Scottish Schools. Join the conversation at http://www.technologiesforlearningstrategy.org.uk/ and I’ll see you there.

Ollie Bray
National Adviser for Emerging Technologies in Learning, LTS