Dyslexic pupils reap the benefits of tech rollout
advice from the teachers outwith the classroom has been really good.
“It gave him confidence and a good night’s sleep before an exam which was important for him.”
“It has opened up a whole new world as well - including for me as I am much more aware and involved in their school life now.”
Pupils without any difficulties, however, have also found it a bonus.
Chloe Rodger of S3 is head of the school’s Digital Champions - pupils who work with staff to lead the school’s digital developments.
“The Chromebooks help us a lot with homework and school work,” she said. “But the school is also conscious about not overusing devices and not missing out on other things. Teachers make sure we still write essays by hand in some classes, especially as that is what we have to do in exams.”
Mr Hamilton said: “You won’t go into our classrooms and see our pupils constantly on Chromebooks, but S1-4 have never experienced high school without having access to digital technology in their schoolbags.”
Among factors which had to be taken into account were the futureproofing of wifi systems and continued investment in infrastructure to ensure the environment and IT was well equipped.
Stirling Council funds two thirds of the scheme via capital expenditure, with the remainder coming from the secondary schools’ own delegated budgets.
Around 1,000 devices were issued to S1 pupils at the start of the current academic year.
Children and young people convener Councillor Susan McGill said: “We want all of our young people to reach their potential so it’s fantastic to see that Chromebooks are enhancing the quality of learning and teaching across all subject areas at Stirling High and in our other secondary schools.”
Deputy First Minister John Swinney praised the rollout of Chromebooks to every secondary school pupil in the Stirling Council area during a visit to Stirling High last week.
The Deputy First Minister was given a presentation, saw the Chromebooks in action in an S1 English class and met with young people with dyslexia who explained how the technology is supporting them.
Education Secretary Mr Swinney said he had first heard about the Stirling High initiative from an enthusiastic parent who raised it at a Scottish Government Q&A session in Stirling.
“Of all the issues he could have raised this gentleman wanted to make me aware of the good work being done and how education had been transformed so I wanted to see this for myself.’’