Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Remote learning platform developed
A trio of Lanarkshire organisations have teamed up to develop a remote learning platform offering lessons ranging from Higher content to resources for primary pupils.
Scottish Online Learning (SOL) has been set up by Coatbridge education company Uteach, neighbouring technology firm Retronix and a team of expert educators led by teachers from Fernhill School in Rutherglen.
It provides bespoke lessons relevant to Scottish qualifications and curriculum, including step-by-step guidance coming directly from teachers who narrate the sessions, and can also be used offline without requiring home internet access.
The secondary subjects covered are English, maths, biology, business studies, chemistry, geography, history, modern studies and physics at S1, S2, National 5 and Higher levels; while primary pupils can access literacy and numeracy lessons.
SOL is offering free trials of the resources to pupils and families during August – while Lanarkshire businessman and philanthropist Lord Willie Haughey has purchased the first 2000 licences, which are being distributed free to vulnerable and disadvantaged children.
Fernhill director of education Dr Laura Murphy said: “Uteach approached us about the idea for an online learning platform as we’ve had an association for many years, and we supported them in sourcing outstanding teachers to create the lessons.
“We gave a steer on the input and layout and made sure we had excellent teachers from a range of independent and state schools; our staff were also involved in quality assurance of all the lessons featured, and we made sure everything follows the curriculum in Scotland.
“It takes children from lesson to lesson – normally resources are teacher-led so it’s great that pupils can work on this independently.
“Nothing will replace a teacher as nothing is better than being in school for children, but SOL’S aim is to enhance learning.
“This is a brilliant resource which we’re really proud of, and it feels great to give something back to education in Scotland at a time where there are lots of challenges for children.”
Normally costing £50 per year, the learning platform is currently offering 30-day free trials and is also running a virtual summer school until the start of the new term.
Fernhill pupils helped the project by trying out the learning platform ahead of its launch, giving “very positive” feedback.
SOL’S developers add that lessons are suitable for pupils with challenges such as dyslexia and dyscalculia, and that the platform can help with both revision and catch-up learning, noting that they aim to help “narrow Scotland’s attainment gap among young people”.
Dr Murphy said: “I think the pandemic opened everyone’s eyes to the fact that children miss learning for all sorts of reasons.
“They can become unwell and miss school, or maybe there are personal circumstances at home that mean they have missed learning. SOL means young people can learn at their own pace.”