Category: Learner Digital Literacy

the skills and knowledge taught to learners

digital pencil case webinar 11 may 4pm

11 May 16:00, Developing Your Learners’ Digital ‘Pencil Case’

This professional learning will help teachers identify the Learning with Digital skills and knowledge of functional apps that learners will use to access, undertake and evidence learning. Having the skills and confidence to use these apps regularly will empower learners to apply this learning across other curricular areas.

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Digital Learner diagram (landscape)

 

Attendees will get an overview of the revised digital literacy planning support and its themes and focusing on the Learning with Digital theme. They will identify the digital literacy skills, and the corresponding apps, that they will require learners to use across the school year.

As a result teachers will have a clear picture of the skills they will require learners to have, examples of planning and resources for teaching these skills and then be able to embed these across the curriculum.

Digital Xtra Fund

The goal of Digital Xtra Fund is for every young person in Scotland to have access to innovative and digitally creative activities regardless of their gender, background, or where they live. Through supported initiatives, the Fund aims to inspire young people to understand and create with technology, not simply use it. Schools and educational organisations positively engaging young people in tech can apply for up to £5,000 to support an extracurricular activity which focusses on digital tech, especially initiatives that also provide opportunities for young people to informally engage with industry and learn more about how digital skills and tech are relevant in the ‘real-world’.

Find out more about Digital Xtra Fund with this link: https://www.digitalxtrafund.scot/

Since its inception in 2016, Digital Xtra Fund has awarded £875,000 in grants to 137 exciting and meaningful extracurricular computing and digital technologies initiatives across Scotland. This funding has helped grant recipients engage nearly 45,000 young people in tech. For the current academic year, Digital Xtra Fund has recently awarded 35 grants to schools and educational organisations which are projected to engage another 7,500 young people (including 3,800 girls and young women) and show them the breadth of opportunities these skills can provide.
View the 20/21 impact report with this link: https://www.digitalxtrafund.scot/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Digital-Xtra-Fund-2020.21-Impact-Report.pdf

Applications for next round of grant awards (Round VIII) will open in January 2023 for activities delivered during the 2023/24 academic year. However, now is the perfect time to think about what you would do with the funding and who you could work with to better engage more young people!

Find out more about the latest recipients and their projects using this link: Digital Xtra Fund awards 35 grants to drive digital skills.

Please follow Digital Xtra Fund on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn for future updates.

Quick Links for Digital Xtra Fund

Digital Xtra Fund website

20/21 impact report

Round VII (2022/2023) initiatives supported by Digital Xtra Fund 

Digital Literacy Planning Support Document

This webinar will provide first access to the brand-new Digital Literacy Planning Support document (currently for first and second level) from Education Scotland. This document is designed to support educators plan, resource and assess digital literacy in a range of contexts with distinct themes, example activities and skills and knowledge identified for each distinct context

 

use this link to view the documents

ON DEMAND DigiLearnScot: Developing ideas using animations (Keynote & iPad)

In this lesson from DigiLearn learners will go through a step-by-step tutorial to create an animation using the Keynote app on iPad.

Animating ideas is an excellent way for pupils to visualise and share their knowledge. From animations describing the journey of Jacobite soldiers, to story boarding ideas for a creative writing project. Using out of the box tools and features, pupils can easily visualise the story they wish to tell and share their understanding in a modern and exciting way.

Whilst this lesson will use the magic move component on Keynote and iPad, the methods and techniques are transferable to a number of curricular areas and apps.

It is advised that if you attend this session, you have access to an iPad and Keynote. The step by step instructions and hands on will use the features inherent to this app – we appreciate that not all pupils will have access to this.

If you wish to attend and use another tool such as PowerPoint, you are welcome to do so but please note that you will not be able to replicate in exactly the same manner

 

 

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DigiLearnScot: Keeping my devices and accounts more secure (Cyber Resilience and Internet Safety) lesson

Learners will explore how their devices store data, how they connect to the internet, and how to keep them more secure

 

Learners will:

  • identify the things (data) that they value on their device, and why it is valuable
  • explore how to keep their device and data more secure, including passwords and other security features
  • earn how their device connects to the internet and web services, how this changes how data is stored and secured, and why this should be considered when sharing content
    d

Resources required:
Just something to make notes, share ideas or draw on

 

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ON DEMANDDigiLearnScot: App Prototyping

Join the DigiLearn team for a live lesson exploring the impact of apps on our lives and lead learners through the steps to create their very own app designs.

Designing apps is a great way to work together and solve challenges that exist in the community. This virtual app prototyping activity will give aspiring coders a chance to celebrate their ingenuity as they develop their ideas and share solutions with their peers.

The best apps start with an idea, and this activity will start the same. Before attending, it is advised to brainstorm an idea with pupils. Think of the purpose, who will benefit, what problem will it solve or is it simply an entertaining way to share information.

Using the PPT/Keynote template you will build your prototype to figure out exactly how your app will work and what the user experience will be.

You will then have the opportunity to build your working prototype that you can share for feedback and evaluation.

This lesson will be led on Keynote on iPad but other presentation apps, such as Google Slides or PowerPoint (desktop/app), can be used in the same way. We will share a template that can be easily edited on PowerPoint (online version users can edit content but not the navigation buttons).

There will be a short video tutorial on how to create the template, link slides, and use navigation buttons in PowerPoint/Keynote.

If you wish to prototype an app using pencil/paper you are more than welcome to watch along and gather ideas.

 

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Screening Shorts

Screening Shorts: reading film and images

This live lesson will give your learners an opportunity to explore film and screen images as texts. They will explore strategies to make predictions about a film, then use still images from the film to learn about sequencing a screen narrative, leading to the first steps to creating their own short film.

The text we’ll be exploring is ‘Mobile’ on Screening Shorts (GLOW LOGIN REQUIRED). 

In this adorable animation, a lone cow hangs by herself on one side of a child’s mobile. Although her weight balances that of the others on the opposite side, she feels lonely. When kindly Mouse invites Cow over, and she tries to find ways to join the animals on the other side, chaos ensues. Can they find a balance?

Resources required:
Sharing thinking: anything you’d normally use, such as post-its, or go digital with our O365 Whiteboard | Google Jamboard

Sequencing images: you could do this with pen and paper, print these slides, or go digital and share these slides with learners

Annotating images: you could draw the images and add speech bubbles or indirect speech on paper, or you can use the slides and draw speech bubbles with text or record and add audio to them

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How to make a copy of the O365 Whiteboard | Google Jamboard

How to download or print the slides PowerPoint | Slides | Keynote

How to make a copy of the slides and share with your learners PowerPoint | Slides | Keynote

How to add speech bubbles PowerPoint | Slides | Keynote

How to record and add audio PowerPoint | Slides | Keynote

28 November 16:00, This is iPad: Everyone Can Create

Everyone Can Create

In this session we will look at ways in which we can use the iPad as a digital pencilcase, develop the freedom of creativity and expression and pupils, sharing knowledge in ways that are relevant and engaging

  • How can pupils use creativity to explore their learning?
  • What are some of the resources that will help me get started?
  • Wht are some of the ways in which creative lessons can be introduced?

https://www.apple.com/uk/education/k12/everyone-can-create/

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Prior knowledge

It is recommended that you are familiar with the basic operation of your iPad.

It is also recommended that you have started to gain your badges on Apple Teacher https://education.apple.com/en

Visit our YouTube channel to see some tips on using your iPad:

YouTube player

02 November 16:00, This is iPad: Accessibility Features in the Classroom

Explore the built in Accessibility features of iPadOS and how these can be used to support learning & teaching for all learners

About this event

Accessibility

Having an accessibility need can be a daunting prospect for learners. Having an Additional Support Need that isn’t visible c`an impact pupil confidence and ability to take part in classroom activities. Accessiblity features on iPadOS can benefit all learners. Especially those with SEN/ASN.

  • What are some of the built in features that can support learner needs?
  • What are some of the ways these features can be used to enhance learning & teaching?
  • How can these be used?

Book your space now

Prior knowledge

It is recommended that you are familiar with the basic operation of your iPad.

It is also recommended that you have gained the iPad and Keynote badges of Apple Teacher https://education.apple.com/en

Visit our YouTube channel to see some tips on using your iPad:

YouTube player

Digital Critical Friends – ScotlandIS and DYW Glasgow

What is this project?

In response to the Logan Review, ScotlandIS has worked with DYW Glasgow to develop an innovative and responsive project to provide every secondary school  in Glasgow, North Lanarkshire, and South Lanarkshire with a senior tech expert at their disposal – these are Digital Critical Friends.    

ScotlandIS aim to raise awareness of the skills and knowledge required for working in the tech sector amongst educators, learners and their families. The programme will help teachers shape a curriculum that matches the needs of industry and ensure learners are aware of the opportunities for work, training, and further study.

There were 35 schools in Glasgow involved in the pilot programme and they have also matched schools and partners in: North Lanarkshire, East Dunbartonshire, Scottish Borders and developing partnerships in: South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire, Inverclyde, Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire. 

 

Why is this programme needed?

There is currently a shortage of learners qualifying in, studying, or having the opportunity to study Computing Science in some schools – especially girls and young women.

Only 27% of young women say they would consider a career in technology, and only 3% would say it is their first choice of career. (PwC UK, Women in Tech Report) 

 

The tech industry in Scotland promises creative, flexible, and highly rewarding career pathways, and it is estimated that around 80% of future jobs will require STEM skills, including Computing Science. 

13,000 digital tech job opportunities are created every year in Scotland, filling all of them would add £1bn to Scotland’s economy. (ScotlandIS)  

 

How does this work?

ScotlandIS will work with individual DYW regional teams over the next 12 months to provide a Digital Critical Friend in every secondary school in that region. 

Digital Critical Friends will inform teachers and pupils of what is happening in the sector: where the new technologies are, share emerging career opportunities and how to access them. They can also support teachers and management tap into increased funding for their department to encourage more young people to study the subject.    

Digital Critical Friends can connect flexibly, by video call, email or over coffee. They will act as a sounding board, a friend, a guide to the teachers. They’ll be willing to take part in catch-ups and could present to students about subjects that interest them, demonstrating how exciting the tech sector is. Teachers and Digital Critical Friends may also arrange a visit to each other’s workplace in order to understand the opportunities and challenges that they work with.  

This programme also complements others that are available, including Tech She Can and Scottish Digital Literacy Week (03/10/22).

 

Who is involved and supporting?

There are already a number of well-known organisations supporting the programme, including but not limited to:

  • Strathclyde University
  • RIIOT Digital
  • Leidos
  • BJSS
  • Morgan Stanley
  • Capgemini
  • Capito

YouTube player

If you are interested in becoming a Digital Critical Friend or would just like more information on the programme, please feel free to contact Nicola Taylor, Head of Operations and Skills at ScotlandIS: nicola.taylor@scotlandis.comÂ