Digital Learning Strategy will help children to thrive

A collaborative approach to using digital technology for learning and teaching has been designed to help children across North Ayrshire reach their full potential in their digital skills development.

North Ayrshire Council’s Digital Learning Strategy, for young people aged from two years old to 18, was created collaboratively by the Education service, teachers and early years staff.

It aims to create a level of consistency across all council education establishments and will help boost the ongoing improvement of digital skills for staff and learners.

It complements the council’s existing digital strategy – called Digital North Ayrshire -which reflects the needs and ambitions of North Ayrshire, and it aligns with the Scottish Government’s 2021 national digital strategy “A Changing Nation: How Scotland Will Thrive in a Digital World”.

The strategy, which was launched at the start of March, will also contribute to approaches used to raise attainment and reduce the poverty-related attainment gap for learners in schools and early years centres.

Giving teachers the knowledge and skills they need to teach young people digital skills is at the core of the strategy, and educators can access online training.

The main aims of the strategy are:

• to develop learners’ digital skills and prepare them for life in an increasingly complex world and

• to ensure that practitioners are able to use a range of digital technologies confidently and appropriately to deliver exciting, supportive, relevant and engaging learning experiences.

  
  

The four main areas covered are:

• the vision and aims, which are linked to high quality learning experiences for all children and young people

• the digital skills our children and young people need for learning, life and work

• the digital skills our practitioners require to ensure learners’ digital needs are met and

• tools and training - as well as examples of good practice at local and national levels.

  
  

All educational establishments will adopt the strategy from 2025-26 onwards as part of the approach to raising attainment.

The cabinet recently noted the content of a report on the strategy and endorsed the ambitions it outlines.