Digital Schools Award Scotland
Victor McNair
Victor is the Digital Schools Award Validator for Northern Ireland. He was a senior lecturer at the University of Ulster in Northern Ireland with responsibility for Postgraduate Technology and Design students at the University’s Jordanstown and Coleraine campuses. With 17 years’ prior experience in teaching technology and design, four of these years as Head of Department, his challenge has always been to enthuse learners, to provide a positive and constructive atmosphere and to create the spaces in which learning can flourish. He derives a great deal of enjoyment from watching this happen, striving to encourage learners to develop resilience, autonomy and innovation in their learning.
Victor’s research included the strategic deployment of ICT, e-portfolios and effective teaching strategies. He has been involved in teaching Masters and PhD students in a range of disciplines and in supporting professional development of teachers and lecturers.
DSA overview:
“Hear about the highly respected Digital Schools Awards programme, from the now well-established Digital Schools Award and Digital Wellbeing Award to the new recently-launched Digital Schools Endorsement Award, the Digital Early Learning & Childcare Award, and the Equitable Creative Coding Award. This session presented by experienced Digital Schools Awards Validator Victor McNair will outline the process for all of the awards, and provide the opportunity to have your questions
Awards descriptions:
Digital Schools Award Scotland
Digital Schools Awards Scotland is a national awards scheme that aims to enhance teaching and learning across all curriculum stages (ELC, primary and post primary) by fostering a community of schools committed to advancing their digital capabilities. The programme offers a structured roadmap and resources to guide schools towards digital excellence, promotes the sharing of best practices, and offers recognition for achievements in digital innovation.
Digital Schools Endorsement Award is a reaffirmation of the school’s continuing journey of self-analysis and development in digital learning and teaching. Three years after receiving the Digital Schools Award, schools will be asked to submit evidence of their up to date development for effective and varied digital learning and teaching.
New! Digital ELC Award Scotland
The Digital Early Learning and Childcare Award is a national award scheme to promote, recognise and encourage a whole setting approach to the use of digital technology in ELC settings. This award has been designed to support ELC settings to integrate digital technologies into children’s play and learning experiences, both outside and indoors and recognise and celebrate where this is happening.
Digital Wellbeing Award
The Digital Wellbeing Award delivers a whole-school roadmap for promoting students’ digital wellbeing through strong Cyber Resilience and Internet Safety practices. The award framework was developed with Education Scotland and recognises the link between the safe and appropriate use of digital technologies and the wellbeing of all users.
New! Equitable Creative Coding Award
Gain recognition for your school’s commitment to fostering digital literacy, creativity, and problem-solving skills through innovative and inclusive integration of coding (plugged and unplugged) and computational thinking across the curriculum. Watch Introduction to ECCo Award Webinar .
