Pupils celebrate becoming global stars online
19 May 2016
AN ABERDEEN school that has gone ‘viral’ thanks to weekly online films was chosen to launch National Digital Learning Week.
Middleton Park School’s ‘Live Learning Strategy’ has seen pupils create over 200 films that have been watched over 60,000 times across 80 countries.
The budding young film stars were chosen to help launch National Digital Learning Week that takes place from 16-20 May and will see schools across Scotland incorporate use of digital technologies to enhance learning and teaching.
Organised by Education Scotland, the week aims to promote the benefits of digital learning in helping raise attainment, ambition and opportunities for all.
Bill Maxwell, Chief Executive of Education Scotland, visited Middleton Park School to launch the Week and to hear from pupils how digital learning has helped them attract a global following online.
Bill said: “Visiting Middleton Park School and hearing how much the pupils enjoy digital learning has been a wonderful experience. The range of activities and the ways in which the school is using digital learning across the curriculum is truly inspiring.
“During my visit I had the opportunity to watch pupils film for their collaborative Macbeth project which they are working on with a partner school in Wuhan, China. It is incredible how rapidly technology is developing and making the world a smaller place. It is vital that we continue to embed digital learning across the curriculum to ensure our young people are well prepared for a digital world.”
He added: “During National Digital Learning Week, we want to encourage more schools to share their examples of innovative practice and the positive impact it is having on young people.”
Aberdeen City Council Leader, Councillor Jenny Laing, paid tribute to the passion and hard work of pupils and staff at the school, which was recently named the best in Scotland.
She said: “We already know that Middleton Park School is leading the way in technological and creative learning so it is fitting that it has been chosen to launch Digital Learning and Teaching Week.
“Being chosen to spearhead this week-long initiative is yet another accolade for the school which has been hailed as one of the best in the country after its pioneering head teacher, Jenny Watson, transformed its curriculum for the modern age. Outdoor learning, multi-media courses and film-making are all part of the curriculum for youngsters at Middleton Park School.
“The head teacher and her team have been praised for their forward-thinking approach to education and for putting technology and creativity at the heart of the school's vision for learning. We want the phenomenal success seen at Middleton Park to be an inspiration and an aspiration for other schools in Aberdeen and across the Scotland.”
Middleton Park School’s Head Teacher, Jenny Watson, also welcomed the launch of National Digital Learning Week.
She added: “As well as digital learning being great fun, the work using digital technology in our school is helping to raise confidence amongst learners and teachers in its use.
“Through digital learning we are also providing parents with an insight in to what is happening in school and we are opening our learners’ eyes to a career in digital by equipping them with the skills required for future life.”
Throughout the Week, Education Scotland will showcase video examples of digital learning in practice across the curriculum, from early years setting through to senior phase.