Collaboration – West Lothian Digital Learning Team

Pupil Voice & Leadership in Action: Letham & Riverside Learners Shape the Future of Digital Learning

Over the last few weeks, a group of enthusiastic pupils from Letham and Riverside Primary Schools have taken on an exciting leadership project exploring how digital technology is currently used in their schools and how it could be improved as they prepare for their move to the new Craigshill building.

Pupils then delivered a hybrid presentation, sharing their findings both in person to staff from the WL Equity Team and the WL Digital Learning Team, whilst simultaneously sharing via video link with Digital Leaders at Bankton Primary.

What They Wanted to Find Out

They developed a series of questions to explore the real experiences of learners and staff:

What does “digital” mean to you?
What’s going well digitally in our school?
What would you like to change or improve, digitally in our school?
How does your learning connect to real life, and how does technology support the curriculum?
Do we currently have the right materials to help us learn effectively?
Do teachers meet the needs of individual pupils and help you learn in different ways?
Are there good opportunities to use digital technology to support learning and the curriculum?

These questions opened up honest conversations about access, confidence, creativity, and the role technology plays in everyday learning.

What They Discovered

Across both schools, pupils found a strong appreciation for technology as a tool for research, learning, creativity, communication, and independence. They highlighted examples of digital tools being used well, such as for supporting writing with MS Accessibility tools, coding with Beebots and Scratch, boosting engagement with Kahoot, Blooket and Sumdog, and presenting ideas and learning with Adobe Express.

At the same time, pupils shared thoughtful ideas about how things could be even better. They talked about:

exploring more creativity tools to share learning
improving Wi-Fi access (which they will be pleased to hear, is in the process of being developed in all WL schools, and should be improved by the end of the year)
increased opportunities to explore new digital tools and apps to support learning

Their feedback showed how deeply young people understand the role technology plays in preparing them for life, further learning, and future careers.

This incredible opportunity has helped learners develop skills in communication, leadership, and teamwork, while also helping to help shape digital learning across the wider school community.

Well done everyone! What a fantastic achievement!

Mini Music Producers at Hawkhill Primary School

P5, 6 & 7 at Hawkhill Primary had a fantastically creative morning thanks to YMI (Youth Music Initiative) and Tinderbox Creative.

Pupils were introduced to a range of music genres and instruments through the Garageband app on iPads. They explored layering loops to create a song, which included drums, bass and a melody for musical interest. They learned how to duplicate, edit and add loops together to make their own songs, building their understanding of rhythm, pitch and dynamics.

Pupils were excited to share their creations with each other and could confidently explain their choices for their music, with their peers giving each other detailed and supportive feedback. Staff were impressed at the collaboration and communication skills being developed during this process too.

More feedback from staff included that they’d never heard the pupils so quiet and engaged. Classes are currently working on a STEM IDL focus so are excited to continue exploring how technology can support a range of industries.

Pupils used words such as ‘Amazing’, ‘Fantastic’ and ‘Inspiring’ to describe the session – they are excited to use their new skills again soon.

Thank you to Andra & Chris from Tinderbox for delivering such an engaging and fascinating session. We can’t wait to see how the pupils continue to develop these skills and hear their creations.

Sharing the Learning

Pupils from Hawkhill are also keen to develop their Young Leader skills and would love to support this learning at other primary schools. If anyone is interested in being involved in this, please reach out to the Digital Learning Team.

Sharing Digital Innovation: Highlights from Our Staff Digital Network Meeting

Our latest Staff Digital Network meeting was all about practitioners sharing real classroom examples of how digital tools are enhancing learning and teaching. It was an inspiring evening filled with creativity, collaboration, and practical ideas to take back to schools.

Live from Blackburn PS: Coding Club in Action

We kicked off by joining the Digital Xtra Coding Club live at Blackburn Primary, where pupils from Blackburn and Murrayfield Primary showcased their work with the LEGO SPIKE Essentials kit. The girls spoke confidently about the skills they’ve been developing – collaboration, communication, and problem-solving – and wowed us with their latest creation: a pinball machine complete with lights and a motor to release the ball.

Promethean ActivSuite in Practice

Next, Sam from Riverside PS shared her experience using the new Promethean ActivSuite software. She highlighted the Whiteboard feature, describing it as the perfect balance between the inbuilt panel whiteboard and ActivInspire – simpler than Inspire, and it saves directly to the laptop. Sam demonstrated how she annotates images, resizes content while keeping annotations, and uses the spinner tool on her laptop to create lists in advance – currently for her Advent Calendar pupil recipient. A fantastic example of making interactive teaching more efficient.

Creative Expression with Adobe Express

We then had examples of pupils using Adobe Express to express themselves digitally, at Winchburgh PS, shared on behalf of Nicola. Highlights included:

Stunning displays featuring posters, artwork, and QR codes linking to webpages and videos.
Creative projects like Blitz-themed artwork, WWII recipe books, and P7 webpages to share learning with parents.
Use of Generative AI for mythical creature images, visually appealing posters on topics like Henry VIII and Spanish weather, and tools for data handling and worksheet creation. Pupils explored features such as QR code generation, layers, cropping, font editing, and image manipulation – building both technical and creative skills.

Microsoft Learning Accelerators

Phil from Carmondean PS gave a detailed overview of Microsoft Learning Accelerators, including Reflect, Reading Coach, Search Coach, and Speaker Coach. Feedback from pupils using Search Coach was particularly positive:

“It’s different from other search sites – it gives more relevant and reliable information and tips for online research.”

Promethean Panels in Early Learning

Finally, Dionne from St Mary’s Bathgate ELC shared how Promethean panels are supporting early learners through:

Staff modelling and collaborative drawing with split-screen.
Interactive activities using Top Marks, sharing home learning via Seesaw, and pupils presenting their work.
Practical tasks like Tesco online ordering for weekly snacks, making digital tools part of everyday learning.

Looking Ahead

This network meeting was a fantastic reminder of the creativity and innovation happening across our schools. Thank you again to everyone for coming along, and especially to those who shared.

If you’d like to share some of the ways you’ve been using digital to enhance learning and teaching in your class, please get in touch with the Digital Learning Team.

Robotics and STEM Education at Kirkhill Primary School

P5 pupils at Kirkhill Primary school have been working with First Step Robotics, to explore and develop their skills in STEM education, through the use of Lego Spike Robotics kits.

Pupils have been using problem solving and coding skills to build, test, code and trouble-shoot a range of robotic systems to solve real-world problems.

One example of this was building and coding a taxi to travel to different locations to collect passengers. This particular project involved including mathematical calculations to work out the distance the taxi had to travel.

“I like that we get to build creations and use our art skills.”

“I like robotics because I like programming. Programming is important in case you work in robotics in the future. Programming tells the robot what to do. It’s useful for later on in life for jobs.”

Pupils from Kirkhill PS and other local schools are showcasing some of their work at the First Step Robotics family open day on Saturday 21st June. Pupils and families across West Lothian are invited to come along, see some of the amazing projects and even have a go at some hands-on robotic challenges.

Celebrating Success with Seafield Primary

We are delighted to announce that Seafield Primary School have recently achieved their Digital Schools Award, recognising the dedication and innovative work of pupils, staff and the whole school community.

Pupils across the school use a range of digital devices to access digital tools and resources to support, enhance and share their learning, such as MS Learning Accelerators, online games for consolidation of learning, Seesaw for sharing, MS Teams for collaboration, Adobe Express for creativity and so much more.

The links below, showcase some of the fantastic ways Seafield staff and pupils have been using Digital Technology to support and enhance learning and teaching.

Digital technologies at seafield ps

Digital Award Application Sway

Accredited by Education Scotland, The Digital Schools Award Scotland is a national award to promote, recognise and encourage a whole school approach to the use of digital technology.

We know there are schools across West Lothian who are working towards their validation this session, so look out for more announcements soon!

Congratulations once again to Seafield PS! We can’t wait to see how you continue to use these skills.

Wildly Creative with Adobe Express and Five Sisters Zoo

Primary 6/7 pupils at Seafield Primary have been using their creativity skills and their new enthusiasm for Adobe Express, to create their entries for a competition with Five Sisters Zoo.

Their creations showcased their skills in using various creative elements, including images, videos, audio, voiceovers, background music, animations, and transitions. The result was a series of beautiful, professional-looking videos, about Red Pandas.

Adobe Express

Seafield PS have really enjoyed using Adobe Express to showcase learning across a range of topics in class, for individual projects and in champion roles across the school. Pupils have demonstrated dedication, enthusiasm, and incredible creativity in designing their projects. Staff have also praised the inclusivity Adobe Express offers, allowing pupils to participate in video creation without needing to be in front of the camera. We love seeing your fantastic creations—keep up the amazing work!

IoT in Schools – Data Literacy Project: Reflections from our Data Detectives

This week, pupils from Deans Primary and Boghall Primary presented their findings and reflections from their recent Internet of Things Data Literacy Project.

The project began a couple of months ago, with an introductory lesson delivered by Tommy Lawson from the University of Edinburgh, during which the pupils explored the sensors and the data collected from their learning environments. They then spent a few weeks using the sensors to help improve their learning environments, before presenting their findings.

Boghall Primary Update

Boghall pupils used the new Sound Sensors to explore the noise level in the hall over breakfast club and lunch times.

They are now planning on introducing music to the hall specifically during breakfast club, to see if it can help reduce the noise level. We wonder if different types of music will have a different effect?

Deans Primary Update

Deans pupils began by using the data to identify where the sensors are located.

” We were looking at the motion detector on one of the sensors, the motion was flat, so we thought it was in a cupboard but the light sensor was quite high. The light was mostly on at 7 and went off between half 8 or 9. We thought it might have been in the cleaners cupboard because it was on at different times from when we were in school.” – P7 Pupil

They have also been working with Cambridge University on a computing project, using the Microbits to create their own sensors, which they will then compare with the IoT sensors. We wonder if the data will be the same?

“The real challenge was trying to get the temperature to code, so if you put it in your hands it would heat up, and show the number, but it was quite tricky” – P7 Pupil

We are very impressed with the learning taking place with both of these schools, and we can’t wait to hear what else you find out from continuing this project. Well done all!

The Sky is the Limit with Adobe Express

Primary 7 at Southdale Primary School were recently visited by the Sky Up team as they explored the latest teacher-led resource from Sky Up – The Edit.

In the Fiction lessons, learners gain an understanding of the design process behind film trailers and an insight into the skills required to work in the TV, film and media industries. They work collaboratively to produce their own 30-second film trailer, unleashing their creativity and digital skills, with the help of Adobe Express.

A special event to showcase the final trailers will take place soon and we can’t wait to see them!

Sign up to Sky Up and register for The Edit to receive your free lesson guides and resources. Booking are also open to attend the Sky Up Academy Studios with your class.

Don’t forget that Adobe Express are also hosting Teacher Training and Live Lessons this term.

We went on an Elf Hunt… and over 4500 West Lothian students found them all!

We were delighted to continue our annual tradition of a live reading of a Christmas Story by Greg Welsh, Head of Education (Primary, Early Learning and Resources).

Over 200 teachers joined us on Microsoft Teams, from schools all over West Lothian, to hear We’re Going on an Elf Chase by Martha Mumford, followed by a chance to share some Christmas jokes.

Thank you to everybody who voted for the story and who joined us live.

We wish you a very Merry Christmas!

Connecting Classrooms using Microsoft Teams

The Digital Learning Team recently visited Westfield Primary School to find out how they were using Microsoft Teams to enhance their curricular offerings for pupils across P3-7 in their school as well as those in Torphichen Primary School.

Connecting the two classrooms using Team’s conferencing capabilities offers learners a wider circle of peers to learn with and from, providing opportunities for cross-school peer assessment and collaboration.

Learners told us how they enjoyed sharing their learning with another school and that they found lessons were fun and engaging. Primary 7s also valued the opportunity to build relationships with each other ahead of moving on to secondary school next year.

Teachers have been using a range of digital tools, such as ActivInspire or Microsoft Whiteboard, to plan engaging learning experiences which are accessible and meet the needs of both in-person and remote learners.

In addition to the P3-7 offerings, a small group of P7 learners meet on Teams once a week to work together on Numeracy and Mathematics projects. They use a shared Microsoft Whiteboard to communicate their ideas, collaborate, solve problems and discuss their thinking.

One P7 learner shared that even when they decided to work independently for a while, everybody shared their working on the Whiteboard so that as a group they could collectively check each other’s answers. This ensured they were able to confidently move on to the next part together as a group.